Many of the better engineered engines of the last few decades have a life expectancy of 300,000 miles. The engine, whether it runs on gasoline or diesel, is likely to last at least 200,000 miles if properly serviced and maintained.
How many miles per gallon does a diesel get on average?
Diesel is said to provide around 34 miles per gallon (14 fluid gallons). These figures are excellent in terms of gas mileage (in combination, but diesel fuel also costs quite a bit more). According to an EPA analysis, you will spend an average of $1,750 each year on fuel.
Is it worthwhile to purchase an old diesel vehicle?
Simply said, if you drive a lot of high-speed miles on a regular basis, such as a regular highway commute rather than a lot of small excursions, you should get a diesel automobile. Diesel cars have higher fuel economy than their gasoline counterparts, as well as more torque for towing and other applications.
Diesel automobile prices are currently declining as a result of diesel’s demonization in recent years due to its health and environmental consequences. As a result, used diesel car costs seem appealing, but they are only suitable for a certain sort of driver. If you misuse a diesel car or purchase an older model, you could face high fines and perhaps be barred from driving in city centers.
Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about deciding between a petrol and a diesel car. You might also be interested in our recommendations to the finest electric and hybrid cars, and if you’re considering of parting with your car, why not use our free online car valuation tool.
What are the drawbacks of a diesel vehicle?
The global market for diesel engines is exploding at previously unheard-of levels. This trend is predicted to last until at least 2025, indicating that this technology will not be phased out anytime soon. It is a technology named after its developer, Rudolf Diesel, a German engineer.
Diesel grew up in France, but during the Franco-German War, he opted to go to England. He came home after the war ended to begin studying engine design principles. He made considerable advances in the steam engine concept during the 1880s, but the coal necessary to run them was expensive and inefficient. He wanted to build something that would assist small firms in competing.
Diesel eventually figured out how to build a small internal combustion engine that could turn the heat it produced into work. In theory, one of them could convert 75% of the heat it created into energy. Because his engines were heavier and had a lower risk of flammability, the French began utilizing them in their submarines by 1904.
As technology advances, now is an excellent time to consider the benefits and drawbacks of diesel vehicles.
List of the Advantages of Diesel Cars
1. Diesel engines are extremely energy efficient.
The compression-ignition technology used in diesel technologies is more efficient than that seen in regular gasoline models. Instead of employing spark plugs to generate heat, diesels require additional compression to bring the air to the proper temperature. As a result of the increased compression level, the engine runs hotter than a regular car’s motor. That means the system produces more energy while requiring less fuel to do so.
As a result, diesel cars often get greater gas mileage than gasoline ones. You will be able to go further without having to refuel, potentially saving you money. When compared to its predecessor with identical performance, you’ll get up to 30% greater fuel efficiency.
2. Due to their engine configuration, diesel cars are more durable.
Because diesel engines must work at a greater temperature in order to be useful, engineers must design them to survive this climate. That means the final product is of greater quality in terms of material and craftsmanship. It’s a benefit that means the technology will outlast gasoline-powered products. To get this benefit, you must perform all necessary maintenance, but it is a worthwhile investment for most car owners.
Several Mercedes-Benz vehicles have original engines with more than 900,000 kilometers on them. Even if you drive a lot (more than 15,000 miles per year), it would take you 60 years to achieve that top limit. Most engines can travel 300,000 miles or more without requiring major maintenance.
3. When driving, diesel engines produce more torque.
When compared to gasoline-fueled vehicles, a diesel engine produces more energy, which means there is more torque available when driving. That means that whatever car you choose, your towing capacity will be greatly increased. If you want to purchase a travel trailer or need to move heavy items on a regular basis, this technology will provide you with the extra power you’ll need.
This benefit translates to being able to drive a smaller diesel automobile while still receiving performance comparable to a gasoline-powered passenger vehicle. Many of them can accelerate from zero to sixty in seven seconds or less while still achieving 40 miles per gallon.
4. The resale value of a diesel car is higher.
If you maintain your diesel automobile according to the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule, you’ll find that it has a higher resale value. Even if the body of the car isn’t in perfect condition, the quality and endurance of the engine will keep your diesel appealing. Long after their gas counterparts have worn out, their durability, performance, and overall handling make them a viable option.
5. The quality of diesel fuel has improved substantially in the last 20 years.
In the United States, new diesel cars must comply with current EPA fuel standards and emissions regulations. Most individuals can recall when these vehicles were filthy, stinky, and polluted the environment heavily in the 1980s and 1990s. This fuel is now more pure than it has ever been. In 2006, the business was aided by the development of ultra-low sulfur diesel, which is now required to meet on-road and off-road fuel regulations. The current sulfur content requirement is fewer than 15 parts per million, although the prior maximum was 5,000 parts per million.
Particulates are reduced by 90% and nitrogen compound emissions are reduced by up to 50% when the enhanced fuel is combined with an advanced exhaust emission control system. To take advantage of this benefit, you must acquire a newer diesel engine.
6. The cost difference between some diesel cars is negligible.
Diesel cars are more expensive than gasoline-powered vehicles. Smart buying can help you drastically reduce the discrepancies. If you wanted to get the turbo-diesel Volkswagen Jetta, you’d have to pay around $2,500 more to have this technology. Driving that car on the highway on a regular basis would lower your overall ownership costs over time. To get a similar result, you could go for Volkswagen’s Golf TDI.
7. Diesel cars can use more than one type of fuel.
If you buy an engine that runs on unleaded gasoline, it is your sole option for fuel. To a certain extent, ethanol blends can be used, but they will reduce your gas mileage. When you operate a diesel vehicle, you have the option of burning multiple types of fuel. If you’re on a budget, waste vegetable oil (WVO) is a viable choice. Almost all eateries will offer you their grease for free. To keep the oil from congealing, you’ll need to modify the engine, but it’ll work.
It is also possible to make biodiesel at home. If you require gasoline, you won’t be able to refine it, thus you’ll have more options with this car.
8. Some diesel engines are quieter than others.
The 2018 Chevy Equinox is powered by a 1.6L turbo-diesel engine with the moniker “whisper.” It acts as a foundation of support, reducing the amount of noise and vibration created when driving. According to GM, the engine is 65 percent quieter than the diesel engine found in Jaguar’s F-Pace. This vehicle also has a 577-mile cruising range, which means you can spend more time behind the wheel without becoming physically exhausted because there is less noise and vibration.
List of the Disadvantages of Diesel Cars
1. Diesel autos are frequently more expensive than regular cars.
A diesel car will cost several thousand dollars more than a car with a normal gasoline engine with equivalent features. The difference in MSRP is mainly due to the quality of the work that goes into the engine. The quality of the materials must come first, and then the quality of the fuel utilized in the car will contribute to the investment’s longevity. If you use the wrong type of fuel for your engine, you could end up spending a lot of money on something that doesn’t work out.
One example of this disadvantage is the Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel. It may have a desirable engine for long-distance driving, but it will add $4,500 to the vehicle’s base price. Most people in the United States would not be able to recuperate that increased cost due to their driving patterns.
2. Diesel fuel is expensive in most parts of the world.
When you choose to drive a diesel automobile, you will not need to fill up your tank as frequently, but you will spend more for the gasoline required to fill it up. If you travel every day in stop-and-go traffic, you’ll have to measure the benefits of increased fuel economy against the expense of your journey. One of the reasons for the higher price in the United States is that diesel has a $0.06 per gallon higher tax rate than unleaded gasoline. Diesel is in strong demand on the international market, which drives up the price.
All rates are subject to change, but most fuel stations will charge at least $0.30 more per gallon for diesel. There are instances when buying a gallon (or liter) of gas costs more than $1.
3. A diesel engine will be more expensive to repair.
Diesel engines have the advantage of being more durable, but they also have concerns with repair expenses if they break down for any reason. When comparing repairs with a gasoline engine, the cost of a diesel car is always higher. That is why it is critical that you keep up with your vehicle’s regularly scheduled maintenance. If you’re considering about buying a used car, you’ll want a reputable mechanic who is knowledgeable with this technology to inspect it to make sure it’s in good working order.
4. A diesel car will not provide the same high-speed performance.
Because of the way diesel fuel turns heat into energy, it is more efficient, much as the original principles from the earliest prototypes were. That means the heat isn’t wasted forever when it exits the exhaust. Because engines are frequently rated in horsepower, comparing diesel and gasoline-powered systems in the same way can be beneficial.
If you drive a diesel vehicle, you will be driving a workhorse. You’ll be slower, but you’ll have a more powerful engine that can handle a wide range of situations. Having a gasoline-powered vehicle means you’ll be driving something more akin to a racehorse. It’s fierce and quick, but it’s also incredibly high-strung and requires extra attention to be healthy.
5. Water separators may be present, which you must manage with the engine.
Diesel vehicles may not require new distributors or spark plugs, allowing you to save money on ignition tune-ups, but they still require routine maintenance. That means you must change the fuel, oil, and air filters according to the manufacturer’s recommendations as soon as possible. Although today’s cleaner diesel fuels don’t necessitate bleeding out the extra water in the system, most cars still have separators that must be manually emptied on a regular basis.
6. With diesel, you may not have as much access to the fuel you require.
If you live in Iceland, Ireland, or other European countries, you may notice that over 70% of the automobiles on the road are powered by diesel engines. When you get in the United States, that percentage can plummet to fewer than 10% in some areas. As a result, you will have less access to the fuel your car requires. Because only around half of all gas stations have a diesel fuel pump, traveling might be difficult at times. To ensure that there is enough fuel available, you must stick to the routes taken by truckers.
7. The new diesel fuel does not have the same lubricating properties as the old diesel fuel.
While using Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel reduces the amount of particles and emissions emitted by a car while driving, it also loses the lubricating qualities of prior engines. As a result, some of them may begin to wear down much more quickly than in the past. If your engine was constructed before 1997, some experts advocate adding additives to your fuel to compensate for this disadvantage.
To keep this profile, you’ll also have to deal with the difficulty of managing anti-pollution devices. Regular filling of your urea tanks is required, which can cost up to $40 every service. Because this is a relatively new technology, no one knows how long this equipment will last.
8. Starting a diesel engine in cold weather might be difficult.
Driving a diesel car in a colder environment might be difficult, especially if you have to park it outside. When the temperature drops below freezing, starting the engine becomes more difficult. As the cold gets worse, this disadvantage becomes more pronounced, with temperatures below zero being a serious threat. Because you need a greater temperature to ignite the fuel, a block heater is required to keep the compartment warm when you are not driving. If you travel regularly and don’t have access to a power source for this purpose, getting up in the morning can be difficult.
9. Diesel engines produce more noise than gasoline ones.
If you want to drive a vehicle that is quiet, a diesel vehicle is not the best option. When you drive a vehicle that runs on unleaded fuel, this technology will always be louder. The amount of sound-deadening materials surrounding the engine can be increased to mitigate this disadvantage.
A normal diesel engine produces noise levels of 100 decibels. The driving experience can become loud when you mix in the sounds of accessories and equipment. All of these concerns can be avoided by switching to a gasoline-powered engine that produces 75 decibels at 65 miles per hour. Anything louder than 85 dB has the potential to cause hearing damage.
When weighing the benefits and drawbacks of diesel vehicles, you must strike a balance between dependability and performance. A gasoline-powered engine is the best choice if you want something sporty, fierce, and eager to burn rubber. Diesel engines will always be workhorses first and foremost.
There is a financial factor to consider, since a car with a diesel engine costs several thousand dollars more. If you can afford it, the cost savings from improved fuel efficiency and less formal maintenance can gradually bring you out of debt. Failure to maintain your property might result in much higher costs, which is another factor to consider.
Diesel engines excel at traveling long distances on highways. If you’re always stuck in stop-and-go traffic in the city, the savings in mileage might not be worth it. When you travel long distances at highway speeds, you can save a lot of money on gas in the long run.
Do diesels have a higher mpg?
Customers who drive a lot of highway miles prefer diesel engines, according to Bell Performance and Road and Track, because they are more efficient on these roads than gas engines. Diesel fuel simply has more energy per gallon than gasoline, making it more cost-effective overall. Diesel engines are still more fuel efficient than gasoline engines, but they are less so for city drivers. Diesel cars also have higher torque, which means they get better gas mileage and accelerate faster.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that some types of diesel fuel can reduce vehicle performance. Black diesel, biodiesel, and other improved diesel products are among them.
Diesel and gasoline are around the same price for most Americans. Diesel can sometimes be more expensive than gasoline, and it can also be less expensive than gasoline. Even if you pay more on diesel fuel, a diesel engine will still provide better fuel efficiency over the life of the car. This is because an 8-liter gasoline engine would be required to produce the same level of power as a 6-liter diesel engine.
Diesel engines, according to Digital Trends, are more durable and endure longer than gas engines, with reliable operation and low maintenance requirements. Diesel cars used to be substantially heavier than comparable-sized gas cars, but thanks to contemporary production technologies, this is no longer an issue.
Diesel engines also have fewer components than gasoline engines, reducing the number of potential parts that could fail in your vehicle.
Diesel engines often require fewer repair and maintenance services than gasoline engines, resulting in a cost savings.
While early diesel engines had a well-deserved reputation for being noisy, current technology has largely addressed this issue. Noise pollution and dark smoke have been reduced, so if you were concerned about those issues in previous decades, you may wish to reconsider diesel as a viable option. Today, the driving experience in a diesel-powered vehicle is essentially identical to that of a gasoline-powered vehicle.
Do diesels have a longer lifespan?
“A gas engine may go up to maybe 250,000 km or 300,000 km before it starts to produce noise or burn oil because it’s wearing down,” says one trained mechanic I talked with. “However, a diesel engine can easily go 500,000 km and still be in fantastic health.”
“Because diesel is a very light oil, it lubricates the valves, rings, and piston walls when burned in an internal combustion engine. Both gasoline and diesel are made from petroleum, but gasoline is a powerful detergent that constantly washes any oil from the engine’s components.”
Most mechanics agree that if a diesel car is properly maintained, it can last for up to 30 years. They do, however, necessitate some extra attention. For example, you can’t expect a diesel to start readily after sitting all day in sub-zero temperatures. You’ll probably need starting fluid to get the engine started in an Edmonton winter.
Diesel engines endure longer, but they are more expensive to maintain. Diesels, for example, have a complex and expensive fuel pump. Furthermore, any water passing through a diesel’s injectors or distribution pump will do significant harm, thus the engine oil filters are likewise special. These additional filters must be replaced on a regular basis, and they are not inexpensive. A particular water separator filter, for example, can cost up to $100 and keep moisture out of the gasoline.
Fuel availability is another a factor to consider, since not all service stations sell diesel, so you’ll want to be sure you have a reliable supply.
Let us now turn our attention to the environmental consequences. Which sort of car is the best? That depends, according to Dr. David R. Boyd, a Simon Fraser University adjunct professor of resource and environmental management.
“In terms of used vehicles, diesels are more efficient (emitting fewer greenhouse gas emissions), but dirtier (producing more conventional air pollutants, including particulate matter),” Dr. Boyd explains.
Do you get more mileage when you use diesel?
On the highway, diesels are fantastic since their high torque allows for quick overtaking.
Furthermore, because you’ll be traveling on the highway more than anywhere else, you’ll be better off with a diesel, which will often provide a higher MPG; see the economy section below for more information.
Highway driving is also conducive to the type of driving required to keep a diesel particulate filter in good working order – more on this in the next section.
Driving on rural A- and B-roads, on the other hand, will benefit from a more powerful petrol engine, which will likely provide a more enjoyable driving experience and be more suited to swift acceleration when passing slower vehicles such as tractors.