~Diesel VS Gasoline vehicles

 

Advantages Of Diesel Engines

If you've owned a diesel powered vehicle in the

past or if you own one now, you no doubt appreciate

the qualities this engine provides you with.  More

torque, better fuel economy, and easier maintenance

are but a few of the attributes of owning diesel

powered vehicles.  

However, there are some motorists that still

complain about the engine's weak power, especially

when accelerating from a full stop.  What you

may not be aware of is the fact that a diesel 

engine can be tweaked to give more power without

harming the fuel economy.  

Diesel engines use air compression to create

combustion versus the fuel/air mixture that is

required by gas engines.  This attribute means

that diesel engines don't require spark plugs 

and therefore don't need to be tuned up.

Diesel fuel has a much high fuel density than

gas, which results in fuel economy increases

of 20 - 30% over gasoline powered vehicles.

Diesel engines are also cheaper to maintain as

they have less parts than that of a gasoline

powered engine.  The life span of a diesel

engine is also much longer.

If you're looking for torque, for pulling a 

boat or other equipment, then the diesel 

engine has the supreme advantage.  Diesel

engines are surely slower, especially when

starting from a dead stop, although when you

climb hills or go over bridges, the diesel

engine is surely up to the task.

With trucks, diesel is normally the leader

over gas engines in terms of performance and

miles per gallon.  Diesel trucks will get 

more miles than gas trucks, and the price for

diesel is a bit cheaper than gas these days.

And with gas prices on the rise, diesel will

continue to dominate for a long time to come. 

Diesel And Gas Prices

Over the years, the prices of both gas and diesel 

have experienced some drastic changes.  Many years

ago, the price of gas was around a dollar or a

little more, nothing like it is today.  Back then,

gas wasn't high in price although the demand for

vehicles wasn't what it is today either.

As the demand for vehicles grew, the demand for 

fuel grew as well.  Other actions and events have

played into the equation as well, resulting in

the rising costs of fuel.  Fuel is something we

all need to run our vehicles, as we wouldn't be

able to go anywhere without it.  

As you may know, a majority of the gas we get at

local gas stations comes from overseas, primarily

the Middle East.  Therefore, we have to pay taxes

and such on the gas we use, which pays for the

gas as well as the shipping.  If we got our gas

from within the United States, one can't help

but wonder whether or not the prices would indeed

be lower.

Diesel on the other hand, has always managed

to keep a price lower than gas.  Diesel comes

from within the United States, so the prices are

of course going to be lower.  The only problem

associated with diesel fuel is locating it, as

many gas stations don't sell it.

When it comes to the choice between the two, 

diesel fuel is obviously cheaper to buy.  Gas is

in supply more, which means that you can find

it almost anywhere.  If you own a gasoline

vehicle, you obviously don't want to put diesel

in it.  If you own a diesel vehicle, then you

of course wouldn't want to put gas in it either.

Diesel Engines And Well Known Gas

In passenger cars, the diesel engine has never really

caught on.  During the middle to late 70s, diesel

engines in passenger cars did notice a surge in 

sales due to the OPEC oil embargo, although that is

the only real significant penetration that diesel

engines have made in the market.  

Although diesel engines are more efficient, there

are eight historical problems that may have held 

them back.

1.  Due to the higher compression ratios, 

diesel engines tend be heavier than the equivalent

gasoline engine.

2.  Diesel vehicles and diesel engines tend to

be more expensive than gas.

3.  Because of their weight and compression

ratio, diesel engines tend to have lower RPM ranges

than gas engines.  This gives diesel engines more

torque rather than higher horsepower, and this tends

to make diesel vehicles slower in terms of acceleration.

4.  Diesel engines have to be fuel injected,

and in the past fuel injection was very expensive 

and less reliable.

5.  Diesel engines tend to produce more 

smoke and smell very funny when compared to gasoline

engines.

6.  They are harder to start in cold weather

and if they contain glow plugs, the diesel engines

may require you to wait before you start the 

engine so that the glow plugs can heat up.

7.  Diesel engines are much noisier than 

gas engines and tend to vibrate quite a bit.

8.  Diesel fuel is less available than gas.

Although one or two of these disadvantages would be

acceptable, a group of them is a big turn away for

many people.

Even though the list above are reasons in the past

as to why diesel never really took off, you can 

expect these reasons to get corrected and improved

in the future, meaning that you will see more and

more diesel vehicles on the road.

Diesel Engines Forgotten Treasures

There are very few engine configurations that promise

increased fuel economy and power.  There are few

engines that offer this in addition to reliability.

Today, those across the ocean are enjoying the 

fruits of diesel technology revolution.  

Diesels have experienced a great history here in the

United States.  In 1980, General Motors modified 

their 350ci gas V8 to run on diesel fuel.  The result

however, wasn't that god.  These engines offered 

better fuel economy but little else.  They were

very slow, and not very reliable.

Mercedes Benz on the other hand, had better luck

in the 1980s with an array of vehicles available

with diesel engines.  These great vehicles offered

amazing durability although they were rough, noisy,

and smoked quite a bit.  Volkswagon offered diesel

as well, although they had a habit for spewing

blue smoke from the tail pipe.

Throughout the 90s, Benz and Volkwagon offered

diesel vehicles in the United States, with each

generation becoming cleaner, smoother, and more

powerful than the last.  Overall, they were a 

tough sell as they still lacked the horsepower

that many were seeking.

Today, Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, Volkswagon, Ford,

and many other manufacturers are offering diesels

to many markets throughout the world.  To put it

simple, forget everything you know or think you

know about diesel engines in the United States.

These newer engines benefit from hundreds of

technical innovations.  There are several diesels

in Europe that offer better acceleration than 

their gasoline counter parts.  BMW's 120d has 

163bhp, goes 0 - 60 in under 8 seconds, and 

achieves 49.6 miles per gallon.

Benz offers the C320 CDI SE that has 224bhp, and

over 360 lb foot of torque.  This car gets just

under 48 mpg on the highway, with an acceleration

of 0 - 60 in under 7 seconds.  Throughout North

America, you won't find a gasoline engine that

offers this unique blend of fuel economy and 

excellent performance.

The reason why diesels haven't caught on in 

North America comes down to one word - sulfur.  We

have too much sulfur in the diesel here in the

United States.  This cheap grade of diesel fuel

will run havoc on the more sophisticated diesels

offered overseas and cause an increase in 

emissions.  

There is hope however, as refiners will soon be

producing what is known as ultra low sulfur 

diesel fuel.  This will help to reduce the sulfur

content from 500ppm to 15ppm.  

Diesel Fuel Quality

The designs of diesel engines striving to increase

performance have made a lot of advancements in engine

fuel delivery to the combustion chamber.  The diesel

engines of today are much quieter, smoother, and

also more powerful.  The quality of diesel fuel on 

the other hand has not advanced at the same rate as

the improvements of engines.

As soon as it is produced, diesel fuel begins to

deteriorate.  Less than 30 days of refining, all 

diesel fuel, regardless of the brand, goes through a

natural process called oxidation.  This process forms

varnishes and gums in the fuel by causing the 

molecules of the fuel to lengthen and start bonding

together.

Now, these components will drop to the bottom of the

fuel tank and form diesel sludge.  The fuel will

begin to turn very dark in color, smell bad, and

cause the engine to smoke.  The engine starts to 

smoke as some of these clusters are small enough to

pass through the engine filtration and on to the 

combustion chamber.

As the clusters begin to increase in size, only a

small amount of the molecules will get burned, as 

the rest will go out the exhaust as unburned fuel

and smoke.  

Its estimated that eight out of every ten diesel

engine failures are directly related to poor quality

and contaminated fuel.  The build up of contamination

in the fuel systems and storage tanks can clog 

filters, thereby causing the engine to shut down,

and damage to the engine to occur.

The number one reason for bad fuel is due to the

increasing popularity of diesel power and the 

accompanying increased demand for more diesel fuel.

Long ago, diesel fuel remained in the refinery 

storage tanks long enough to naturally seperate and

begin to settle, allowing the clean fuel to be 

drawn apart.  Now, with the demand getting higher

than ever, the fuel is never stationary long enough

to settle, and the suspended water and solids are

passed on to the person buying the fuel - you.

The changes in refinery techniques is also a 

problem.  In order to get more products, diesel 

fuel is being refined for more marginal portions of

the crude barrel.  This results in a lower grade

product that is thicker and also contains a lot 

more contamination.

As time continues to pass and technology gets better

and better, one can only hope that the quality of

diesel fuel improves.  As it stands now, the quality

isn't good at all.  If you run diesel fuel, all 

you can basically hope for is that the fuel you

are getting isn't contaminated.

Diesel Or Not

Diesel is often looked at as being smelly, noisy, and

many think the only place for it is in a tractor.  The

truth to diesel vehicles is that they are slow, noisy,

smelly, although they are cheaper to run than gas. 

Diesel engines aren't as powerful as gas engines, as

gas engines produce more horsepower than that of a

diesel engine.  Diesel vehicles however, offer more

torque than gas.  Therefore, it is a very thin line as

to which one is better.  

When it comes to power, diesel is the more expensive

of the two.  Diesel powered vehicles are normally more

expensive to buy than gas, and the parts are a lot

more expensive than gas vehicles.  The diesel however,

is more reliable due to it being less complicated

internally and heavier to build, therefore it normally

lasts longer than gas engines.

Economy is always a factor as well, as will fuel

prices being what they are.  Now days, it costs a

small fortune to fill up a gasoline vehicle, especially

the bigger engines.  When it comes to fuel, diesel

is generally less expensive.  You can fill up a diesel

vehicle for less of a price, and the fuel will

normally go longer than gas will.

Appearance is also important.  Diesel is generally

loud, with the exhaust emitting black smoke when the

vehicle is throttled.  You can normally tell when a 

diesel pulls off by the black smoke it leaves behind.

Keep in mind, this isn't a problem with the engine,

just means that the fuel is dirtier.  

Tuning is also important.  Gas engines are more

tunable than diesel, as you can get better power

increases from gas than you can with diesel.  The

major thing diesel owners tend to go for is turbo,

as it is one sure way to match gasoline in terms

of power.

A turbo charged diesel can and will match a standard

gasoline engine for power, if not slightly better it

a bit.  This is why most diesel cars come turbo

charged, as its a way to keep up with the modern

diesel engines of today.  

When it comes to making the choice, you really have

to choose what is best for you and your needs.  If

you want power with plenty of tuning options, then

gasoline engines are what you want.  On the other

hand, if you want power and torque, then a diesel

vehicle is what you want.

The choices are entirely up to you, as there are

certainly plenty to choose from.  Always check out

the vehicle you are interested in, and find out

if it will match your needs.  Before you know it,

you'll have a diesel or gas vehicle that will perform

well beyond your expectations.

Diesel Passenger Vehicles

Both diesel cars and light trucks are receiving a 

lot of attention in the United States as a near

term strategy to achieve fuel economy and climate

change goals.  

The renewed interest in diesel as of late stems

from its potential to improve passenger vehicle

fuel economy.  The best diesel passenger vehicles

of today are more efficient on fuel than their

gas counterparts, helping to reduce carbon 

emissions by 30 percent or more.

There are some auto makers that are talking about

re-introducing diesel into light duty markets as

a solution for reducing global warming pollution

from both cars and trucks.  Another important

reason is that the higher efficiency of diesels

will provide a quick fix for manufacturers who

are struggling to meet federal fuel economy 

standards for light trucks.

Even if the efficiency benefits of diesel do

yield real world improvements on the economy, the

potential climate change benefits are modest.

Even though diesel achieves more miles per gallon

than gasoline, many are concerned about the

impact that diesel passenger vehicles have on

the economy.  From time to time, the combustion

in the engine can cause black emissions to spit

from the exhaust, which is actually very bad

for the economy.

While gas is actually the worst, diesel is taking

strides to improve engines and the impact on

the economy.  Diesel is getting more and more

popular these days, as gas prices continue to

rise and rise.

Although diesel engines can have an impact on 

the economy, they are the way to go for those

looking to conserve mileage.  Diesel vehicles

cost more than gas vehicles, although they will

offer you more than you can expect.  If you are

looking for a quality ride, diesel is the way

to go.

Diesel Vehicles

As you probably already know, diesel engines get

better fuel economy than gas, simply because they

don't need to burn as much fuel as gasoline engines

to get the same amount of power.  Diesel engines

are built heavier than gas engines, to help sustain

the added stress of the much higher compression

ratios.

Diesel engines don't have an ignition system either,

so you'll never have to tune them up.  The exhaust

systems will last longer as well, as the exhaust

on a diesel isn't as corrosive as an exhaust on a 

gasoline engine.

With diesel engines, it isn't unusual to see them

with 400,000 or even 500,000 miles.  There are some

out there that have even went beyond 600,000 miles!

When it comes to maintenance, 3,000 mile oil changes

are a must.  Diesel fuel isn't as refined as gas,

so the oil will get dirtier faster.  You should

also replace the air and fuel filters at least

once a year.  

If you live in a colder climate, you'll need to 

switch to a winter blend of fuel to prevent fuel

gelling.  There are several additives that you can

put in the fuel as well, to help prevent your fuel

from getting gel.

It's also recommended that you replace the glow

plugs every two years.  If the temperature drops

below 10 degrees, a block heater is something you

should have.  This will ensure starting in cold

weather, especially with the heavy grade of oil

that a diesel engine requires.

If you take care of your diesel vehicle, you can

count on it to be around for years to come.  Unlike

gas vehicles, diesel engines are built for the

long haul, and will last you for miles and miles

if you take care of them.

Diesel Versus Gasoline

A diesel engine will go much farther on a gallon

of fuel that the standard gasoline engine 

because of their designs, and due to the higher

energy density of a gallon of diesel fuel.  But,

it also takes a bit more oil to manufacture a

gallon of diesel than a gallon of gas, with 

the production and refining processes for 

diesel producing more gases that trap heat.

Therefore, when you consider the relative merits

of deisel and gas cars, try knocking the MPG 

estimates for the diesel car down by 20 percent.

A diesel vehicle will cost you a bit more, 

so you'll get more bang for your buck from a

gasoline vehicle.  

The nasty rumors you hear about diesel are 

true as well - diesel is less refined than gas,

or in other terms it's dirtier.  Diesel 

vehicles also emit more particulate matter and

NOx, both of which are serious health hazards

and air pollutants.  Current diesel engines are

more polluting per each mile they are driven

than gas engines.  

Using biodiesel on the other hand, will improve

this situation.  If biodiesel is available in

your area, you'll still need to examine 

whether a diesel is the right vehicle for you.

When you consider the facts, you have to ask

yourself which models you can afford, what is

the MPG, will engine be succifient for you,

and the number of passengers the vehicle will

accommodate.  Then, given your budget, you can

go from there.

There are numerous gas and diesel vehicles 

available, all you have to do is decide which

one is right for you.  If you research carefully,

you'll have the perfect vehicle for your entire

family.

Diesel Versus Spark Engine Ignition

As you may already be aware of, diesel engines are 

more efficient than gasoline engines of the same

power, resulting in much lower fuel usage.  For an

efficient turbo diesel, the average is 40% more miles

per gallon.  The higher compression ratio with 

diesel engines help to raise efficiency, but diesel

fuel also contains around 15% more energy per unit

volume than gas.

Diesel engines that are naturally aspirated are far

more massive than gasoline engines of the same power

for two reasons.  First, it takes a larger capacity 

diesel engine than a gas engine to produce the same

amount of power.  Essentially, this is because the 

diesel can't operate as quickly.  The rev limit is

slower, because getting the correct fuel to air ratio

into a diesel engine fast enough is more difficult

than a gas engine. The second reason is due to the

fact that a diesel engine needs to be stronger to

withstand the higher combustion pressure needed for

ignition.

Diesel engines also produce very little carbon 

monoxide as they burn the fuel in excess air except

at full loading capacity, where a full quantity of

fuel is injected per cycle.  They can however, 

produce a black soot from the exhaust, which consists

of unburned carbon compounds.  

Often times, this is caused by worn injectors, which

don't atomize the fuel sufficiently enough, or a 

faulty management system that allows more fuel to be

injected that can then be burned with the available

air.  

For commercial use that requires towing, diesel 

engines tend to have more desirable torque.  Diesel

engines tend to have their torque peak quite low

in their speed range which provides smoother control

over heavy loads when starting from rest, crucially

allowing the engine to be given higher loads at low

speeds than a gas engine.

The lack of an electrical ignition system in diesel

engines improves the reliability.  The high durability

of diesel engines is also due to the overbuilt

nature as well as the combustion cycle, which will

create a less violent change in pressure when 

compared to a gasoline type spark ignition engine.

Diesel fuel is also a better lubricant than gasoline,

so it is less harmful to the oil film on piston 

rings and cylinder bores - making it routine for

diesel engines to go 250,000 miles or more without 

having to be rebuilt.

For several reasons, diesel proves to be better than

spark engine ignition.  Diesel engines last a lot

longer, they offer more torque, and they are also

more reliable.  They are also more expensive as well,

although you get what you pay for.  If you have 

never owned a diesel vehicle, you owe it to yourself

to see everything they offer you - and you'll find

yourself a very satisfied customer.

Gas Diesel Hybrid War

These days, gasoline prices may be crimping your

your household budget.  You may like to reduce

the U.S. dollars that flow to the Middle East for

oil, or perhaps you are motivated by your concern

for the environment, or even the nagging reality

that oil is a depleting resource that shouldn't

be wasted.

Fuel economy

To put it into prospective, the fuel economy are

the numbers posted on the window sticker of a new

vehicle.  Studies have shown that the average 

driver only receives 75 percent or so of the 

mileage figures that are on the sticker.

You can use these numbers to determine the best

type of vehicle for your purchase.  The numbers

will let you know how many MPG your vehicle will

get, so you can compare vehicles and then go 

from there.

Hybrid pricing

The gas electric hybrid vehicles are normally

priced higher than non hybrid counterparts,

anywhere from a couple of thousand dollars to

several thousand dollars.

Hybrids can get a lot of miles per gallon,

some averaging around 45 - 55.  This is great

for those who want to save money on gas, as 

hybrids can go many miles on a full tank of

fuel and they come with extended warranties

as well.

Diesel efficiency

Diesel powered vehicles are yet another fuel

efficient option.  Diesels are known for getting

extra mileage from every gallon of fuel.  They

offer much better torque than many gasoline

engines.  The price differential they have 

over gasoline engines are usually much smaller

than that of the hybrid.

With plenty of options available, you're sure

to find what you need to help conserve fuel. 

Before you make a purchase, always remember

to shop around and find what's best for you.

Gas Saving Tips

Are you tired of the continuing rise in gasoline price?

If you are, you're not alone.  In this article, you'll

find a few excellent tips designed to help you save

a bit of your hard earned money.

First, its always best to purchase your gas either 

first thing in the morning or late at night.  The

reason for this is because gas is denser at a cold

temperature, so you'll basically be getting more for

your money.

Secondly, check your local gas prices to find the

best price available.  You can check your local gas

prices online as well, which will prevent you from

wasting gas while driving around to look for the

best price.

By keeping your car well maintained, you can help

improve fuel consumption.  By simply tuning your car,

you can decrease your fuel consumption by up to 20

percent.  Also, you should keep your tires properly

inflated and aligned.  Tires that are under inflated

will cause fuel consumption to increase by 6 percent.

You should also make sure that you change your oil

and air filters on a regular basis as well.

Other tips to keep in mind are to drive by staying

in the posted speed limits, as the faster you drive

you will use more fuel.  Whenever possible you should

use overdrive, as this will help fuel and also 

improve the wear on your engine.  You can also 

combine your errands by making a list of things that

you have to do, as the more you cold start your

engine, the more fuel you'll be using.  

By taking the time to do these tips, you'll be 

amazed at just how much fuel you can save.  Gas

prices are becoming ridiculous these days, which

is why you want to do your part to converse little

drop that you can.

Gas Tractor Versus Diesel Tractor

There are many different reasons as to why a diesel

compact tractor is superior to a gasoline garden

tractor.  

First of all, the diesel engine doesn't have the 

parts that normally wear out or give problems.  There

are no spark plugs, rotors, points, or distributor

caps like the garden tractor.  There is no carburetor

either, that will gum up and be hard to start after 

being stored for a long period of time.  Diesel engines

can be stored for long periods of time and still start

right up.

Secondly, diesel engines in most tractors are water

cooled.  This will allow the engine to run at a more

consistent and cooler temperature, which will extend

the life of the engine.  The typical properly 

maintained diesel engine can run thousands of hours

without breaking a sweat - and without having to be

rebuilt.

Diesel engines will also make more power.  Even though

gasoline tractors may be a little quicker to start

with, they can't begin to match the power and raw

torque that diesel engines offer. 

Another reason why diesel tractors are better than

gas is the available attachments. Most gasoline 

tractors are equipped with a belly mower and don't

normally have a three point hitch.  This will severely

limit the type of implements that you can use and

also limit the tractors expandability.

Most blades and scoop implements won't work with a

gasoline tractor.  The drive train will also limit

the type of implement you can use with a garden

tractor.  The typical gasoline garden tractor is 

belt driven, while a belt drive won't pull as much

load as a diesel powered tractor.  You would probably

not be able to use a box blade or tiller either 

with the average gasoline powered tractor.

Gas Trucks Versus Diesel Trucks

If you plan to use your truck like a car, desiring

quick, quiet acceleration and rarely ever haul a 

heavy load and don't plan to it for a long time,

you may want a gasoline engine.  Gas engines run

smoother, fuel is easier to find, and gas 

engines start easier in cold weather.

If you plan to use your truck for towing, value

good fuel economy and plan to put plenty of miles

on it, you may want a diesel.  The price to buy

a diesel truck is really high, although they can

offer you a lot in return.

Below, you'll find the leading vehicle manufacturers

and what they offer you.

Dodge

The 2500 and 3500 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty trucks are

the newest 3/4 and 1 ton trucks on the road.  Back

in 2002, the Ram didn't have enough power with

the 245 HP 9.5L.  Dodge promised more powerful

engines for the 2500/3500 platform and they

delivered on that promise.

The new base engine is the 5.7L gasoline V-8 

that's not only the most powerful engine of the

group at 345 HP but also revives the well known

and historical Hemi name.  

Ford

Ford helped push the 3/4 ton and 1 ton truck

market to where it is today when it introduced

it's international engineered power stroke 

diesel back in 1994.  Before 1994, these diesels

were poorly built and no match for the big 

inch gasoline engines.

From 1994 to 2002, over 70% of super duty Fords

were sold with the optional 7.3L V-8 diesel

engine.  This engine helped to put Ford among

the leaders in diesel trucks, as they had more

than they needed to dominate the market.

Chevrolet/GMC

The GM 2500/3500 twins Silverado HD and Sierra

HD both come standard with GM's 6.0L gas engine

V-8.  This engine is ideal for 3/4 ton trucks

where towing isn't a concern.  The upgrades

start with the 8.1L gas V-8 that's based on

Chevrolet's venerable big block engine.

Over the years, diesel trucks have proven to be

effecient with mileage, great for towing, and

easy on maintenance.  Unlike gas engines, diesel

engines do not have spark plugs, which means

you won't need to get them tuned up near as

much as gasoline engines.  

For those who like to haul heavy loads on a 

frequent basis, diesel is the way to go.  You

can get quite a few miles per gallon, and 

diesel trucks are built to go 250,000 miles or 

more before the engine needs to be rebuit,

making them a purchase that is more than worth

your money.

Gas Versus Diesel

Cost

Due to the high compression ratios and resulting

high cylinder pressure in diesel engines, they

must be built to withstand a lot more punishment

than gas engines.  The parts that are spruced up

include a thicker block and cylinder heads, 

pistons, crankshaft, and valves, which can be

very costly indeed.

When it comes to the price, gas wins this one by

far.  Diesel costs a lot more to own than gas,

which is one of the main reasons why people tend

to choose gas over diesel.

Fuel cost

Diesel fuel is easier to refine, taking less 

time to get from raw petroleum to final product

from gas, giving it a lower price than that of 

gas.  On the other hand, within the United States,

diesel is priced the same or just a bit below

regular unleaded gas.

Noise and vibration

Despite many improvements in noise isolation and

engine noise technology in trucks over the last 10

years, diesels are still much louder and shake 

more than gasoline powered vehicles.  At idle, the

clatter and shake of diesel vehicles are clearly

noticeable, while it can be hard to tell if the 

gas engine is even running.

Cold weather

If you've tried to start a diesel engine on a 

cold day, you know that gas is by far easier to 

start. Diesels don't have spark plugs like gas engines

do, as the fuel is ignited once it's injected into

the cylinder that is already under pressure.  

When it gets cold, the air isn't hot enough to 

ignite the diesel fuel.  

Maintenance

Maintenance on a diesel vehicle is more expensive,

thanks to many things including the larger volume

of oil in the engine and the fact that fuel filters

and water separators must be serviced more often

than gas vehicles.  Gasoline engines have a bigger

advantage due to extended service periods on spark

plugs, engine oil, and even antifreeze.

Making that final choice between gas and diesel comes

down to what you'll do with your vehicle and where

you live.  If you use your vehicle for quick, fast

acceleration and rarely ever haul heavy loads, and

don't plan to keep your vehicle past 100,000 miles,

you may want to consider buying a gasoline vehicle.

Gas runs smoother, fuel is easier to find, and 

they are easier to start in cold weather.  On the 

other hand, if you plan to tow, value good fuel

economy and plan on racking up a lot of miles, then

you'll want to buy a diesel.

Price is also an important consideration, as diesel

vehicles can be a bit more expensive than gas.  If

you aren't worried about price, then diesel may be

your best bet.  For trucks, diesel is by far the

superior choice for those who like to haul heavy

loads on a frequent basis.

Gas VS Diesel Boats

As you may know, diesel engines aren't something

you should take lightly.  There are good reasons

why the rush to put them in cars back in the 70s

flopped.  Diesel isn't the ideal power source for

all applications.  

Engine speed

Diesel engines gained the reputation for long 

service life early on in the history of the 

engines, mainly from engines that were used in

commercial operations.  These were big, very

slow to turn engines that were usually in the

600 - 1,000 RPM range.

The long service life of the diesel engine isn't

really a myth when used in the proper application.

It's only a myth in pleasure craft, where the 

engines are operated in-frequently at high and

low speeds, normally under very heavy loads and

adverse conditions.

Fuel consumption

If you plan to engage on some serious long range

travel, especially if fuel stops aren't available,

then fuel consumption will become an issue.  

Diesel engines will normally burn 1/3 to 1/2 the

amount of fuel as their gas equals.  Considering

the cost of the engines versus the amount of

fuel you'll burn during the time you own the 

boat, fuel savings isn't really important.

Dilemma

Most questions of choice arise for boats that

are in the 28 to 34 foot range where either type

of engine is available with adequate horsepower.

Gas engines do have the advantage that they are

cheap to buy and also cheap to repair.

Diesel boats are just the opposite, as for the

price of one you could buy three gas engines.

For the price of a smaller in-line 6 cylinder

diesel, you can buy two gas engines.

Therefore, cost wise, unless you really need

diesel power, diesels aren't very practical.

The advantage to diesel comes only at the

point where the extra torque is needed because

a gasoline engine would simply be under too

much strain to have an adequate amount of 

service life.

If you have a choice of gas versus diesel,

your first concern should be to determine

whether or not you can really afford to own a

diesel, as the initial price is only part of 

the cost.  

If you simply can't afford to write a big check

for routine maintenance, then you will probably

be better off going with gas.  On the other hand,

if you have a lot of money, diesel would be

your best bet.  Diesel engines are great to 

have, although they cost a lot of money to 

up keep and they generally aren't the way to go

for those on a budget.

Gasoline Credit Cards

With gasoline getting more and more expensive, you've

probably found yourself wondering what you can do.

Even with the rising costs of gas and fuel, you 

still need it to go places.  No matter how you look

at it, you are at the mercy of these prices.

If you own two credit cards, changes are that you 

will use one of them to pay for your gas.  Gas credit

cards are now starting to shine.  There are many

individuals who are planning to apply for a gas

card.  Most cards are either issued by a leading

credit card company or by a major retailing gas

station.

Along with that, there are some of the gas credit

cards that give you a great deal like having 

discounts on gases such as unleaded, premium, and

others.  Gas credit cards also give you an 

assurance to have more approved gas bonus.

If the credit card is approved, the owner of the

card will not only save money on gas, but he'll

also get an extra allowance for car equipment and

accessories.  Gas cards can also help you save

a bundle on repairs as well.

Keep in mind that there are some things to consider

when you apply for a gas card.  When you plan to

apply for a card, the conditions should always be

known.  The benefits of the gas credit cards 

available should also be studied and researched

in order to compare rates, features, and 

benefits.

As the popularity of gas credit cards continue to

increase, so will the offers.  Gas cards also 

offer a positive effect for gasoline retailers as

well.  The customer will also earn additional

incentives as well.  If you plan to stick with

one brand of gas, this card can generate some of

the best rewards.

When looking for the best type of gasoline credit

card, the most important thing to do is review 

the terms and conditions.  The present status

of the card should also be reviewed in order to

avoid a bad credit record.

There are also several gas credit cards that will

give you extra rewards and point systems.  What

this means, is that the card holder can earn

cash back on certain purchases.  The more points

you get, the bigger product you can receive.

The ideal purpose of applying for gas credit cards

is to help eliminate the gas expenses.  The 

credit card should help you to have a deal with

gas expenses.  Low interest premium cards can be

the best if you can maintain the proper balance.

The best thing about gasoline credit cards is the

fact that you don't have to pay for them now and

you can just pay later.  Just don't forget to pay

the bill, as you could end up getting a bad credit

rating. 

Gasoline Engines

Gas engines are known as internal combustion engines

and are divided into two general classes, specifically

two cycle and four cycle engines.  A cycle of an 

engine represents one stroke of the piston or one 

half revolution of the crank shaft, as a complete

revolution represents two cycles. With a two cycle

engine, the power impulse occurs at each revolution,

while with four cycle engines it occurs at every

other revolution, hence the terms two and four cycle

engines.

Both classes have their own specific advantages and

uses.  For autombiles, the four cycle engines is

most used.  For motor boats on the other hand, the

two cycle engine is most often used.

The horse power of gas engines is designated as HP

and also brake test HP.  The IHP is the theoretical

HP, which is found by figuring different formulas,

in which the diameter of the bore, length of the 

stroke in inches, and number of revolutions per 

minute form the basis for calculation.  The results

are found by the use of such formulas.

The BTHP on the other hand, is the power the engine

actually develops in service, and is considerably

less than the IHP.  Keep in mind, this depends upon

the degree of the mechanical perfection attained in

the construction of the same.  If both the compression

and construction are good, the engine may actually

reach 80 - 88% of the intended IHP.

With gasoline engines, high HP and high RPM ranges

are what makes them popular.  Gas engines have always

been more popular than diesel vehicles, for the simple

fact that they can achieve more speed.  If speed

is what you are after, gasoline vehicles are what

you should be looking for.  Although they may lack

in torque and raw power, they make up for it with

speed and tuning options. 

General Information On Diesel Engines

Diesel engines offer the lowest specific fuel usage 

of any other large internal combustion engine.  The

fact remains, two-stroke diesels with high pressure

forced induction, particularly turbo charging, make 

up a large percentage of the largest diesel engines.

Throughout North America, diesel engines are generally

used in larger trucks, where the low stress, high

efficiency cycle will lead to a much longer engine

life and lower costs to operate.  These advantages

also help to make the diesel engine ideal for use in

the heavy haul industry.

Cars however, continue to use gasoline, primarily 

due to the consumer desire for a wider range of 

RPM.  In Europe, the use of diesel engines with cars

is far more common.  

Even though diesel engines are more efficient when

throttled down, they aren't suitable for most types

of aircraft.  The higher compression ratios of the

diesel cycle demand a much stronger block, head, 

and almost all moving parts in general.  These

stronger parts add a lot of weight, or a lot of 

expense, especially if lighter alloys are being used.

The Otto cycle engines are much cheaper to build for

these reasons, although they have long been overtaken

by the turbine engines.  For the same displacement

of the engine, Otto cycles will produce more actual

power than a Diesel cycle can, because the fuel

will burn at a much faster rate, allowing more power

strokes per minute than a standard diesel can offer.

What this means, is that less fuel has to be carried.

Additionally, commercial aircraft is normally run

at preset limits, so that Otto cycle engines used 

in aircraft don't suffer anywhere near the efficiency

penalties that land vehicles do.  Heavy equipment,

such as those used in mining and construction, 

almost always uses diesel engines.

Diesel engines are also used with submarines.  In

these types of submarines, the diesel engine is run

when the submarine is on the surface, which charges

the batteries that power the submarine once it is

submerged.  

All across the world, diesel engines serve many 

different purposes.  They are used with almost all

types of heavy machinery, and other vehicles.  Gas

isn't the way to go with heavy machinery, as the

engines simply can't withstand the beating.

Diesel has been popular for many years with machinery

and submarines, simply because the engines can 

last for years and years.  Although they won't offer

as much speed as gasoline, the torque and power is

still there.  

How Diesel Engines Work

When gas is compressed, the temperature of it will rise,

with diesel engines using this very property to ignite

the fuel.  Air is then drawn into the cylinder and

compressed by the rising piston at a much high

compression ratio than gas engines, up to 25:1, with

the air temperature reaching 700 - 900 degrees C.

At the top of the piston stroke, the diesel fuel is

injected into the combustion chamber at high pressure,

then through an atomizing nozzle, it mixes with the

hot high pressured air.  The resulting mixture will

ignite and burn very rapidly. This combustion will 

cause the gas in the chamber to heat up rapidly, 

which increases the pressure and forces the piston

downwards.

The connecting rod will transmit this motion to the

crankshaft.  The scavenging of the engine is either 

done by ports or valves.  To get the most out of

a diesel engine, use of a turbocharger to compress

the intake of air is vital.  You can also use an 

aftercooler or intercooler to cool the intake air

after compression by the turbocharger to further

increase your efficiency.

An important part of older diesel engines was the

govenor, which limited the speed of the engine by

controlling the rate of fuel that was delivered.  

Unlike gas engines, the air that comes in is not

throttled, so the engine would overspeed if this

wasn't done.  Older style injection systems were

driven by a gear system that came from the engine.

The diesel engine is truly an advancement to vehicles

as we know it.  As technology gets better, you 

can expect the diesel engine to get better as well,

possibly even proving just how much better it is

to the gasoline engine. 

Hydrogen Boosted Gas Engines

With the ever increasing cost of gasoline prices, 

auto makers are having to work overtime to cost

effictively improve the fuel economy, while still

meeting the strict emission requirements of today

with gasoline engines.

One ideal and promising way to boost the fuel 

economy of gas engines is to add hydrogen to the

fuel/air mixture in the engine.  Since hydrogen

isn't available at the local gas station, selling 

a hydrogen boosted gas engine wasn't on the list

of engines - until now.

Lack of emission

A major cost and environmental advantage to hydrogen

boosted gas engines are low amounts of NOx emission

gas, which will completely eliminate the need for

external NOx emissions control.  Currently, NOx 

emissions control is a major cost problem for diesel

engines which use expensive traps to meet the 

emission standards.  Diesel engines particulate 

emissions that must be collected by a filter that

should be changed periodically.

Hydrogen boosted engines on the other hand require

neither NOx or particulate control and require only

a low cost oxidation catalyst to control very small

amounts of exhaust which is formed mostly during

the engine starting up and warming up.  Additional

cuts in emissions control requirements stem from

the engine's ability to use only the clean hydrogen

enriched charge during the cold start phase when

90% of emissions are generated in the emission test.

Cost

The hydrogen boost system is effectively a bolt

on technology that can be added to an existing

vehicle's engine compartment.  According to those

developing the system, the cost of the system is

less than half of the added cost for diesel.  

The future

Prototype hydrogen boosted engines are now be 

installed in test SUV vehicles that have 

sufficient space for the reformer and it's related

system.  The start of long term road testing

for performance, reliability, and durability

information is planned for later on in the year

before the system goes further into development.

Four cylinder gasoline engines will likely be the

prime candidates for the technology as high gas

prices continue to generate competition among the

higher fuel economy models that seek MPG 

leadership.  

With gas prices getting higher and higher, hydrogen

boosted gas engines offer you the chance to get

more miles per gallon and not have to worry about

burning up all of your fuel.  Instead of having to

go out and buy a diesel to conserve fuel, hydrogen

boosted units will help you preserve gas.

Even though they aren't available to buy right now,

they will be very soon.  Many manufacturers are

looking into them, as they offer gasoline engines

something like never before.  If you own a gas

powered vehicle and have thought of giving it up 

to go diesel, you might want to think again - as

hydrogen boost units may change the world of gas

engines forever.

Industrial Diesel Engines

Industrial diesel engines are any engines that are used

for industrial purposes that run on diesel.  Industrial

diesel engines are used to power a major portion of 

industrial machinery, from motorbikes to bulldozers, 

generators, and even forklifts and trucks.  They range

in size from a few pounds to a few tons, with a various

amount of power.  

The use of diesel engines is mandated by several large

organizations. All NATO machinery for example, runs on

either diesel or aviation grade kerosene.  At the 

current level of technology, fossil fuels, and especially

diesel are the most economical and convenient means

of supplying power to a variety of equipment and 

even backup generators.

All industrial diesel engines can be either air cooled

or water cooled.  The smallest engines for residential

purposes will typically provide about 10kW and cost

a few thousand USD.  These smaller scale engines power

much of the mobile machinery we see around us on a 

daily basis, such as trucks, farm equipment, small

boats, stationary process machinery, earth movers,

and so on. 

The medium scale industrial diesel engines can provide

levels between a few hundred kW and a few thousand

kW and are sold for prices in usually the thousands 

of dollars.  These types are used in larger machinery

such as larger mining equipment, oil rigs, trains,

large boats, military equipment, and much more.

The largest of industrial diesel engines provide 10,000

to 80,000 kW, sold in the millions of dollars, and

are used for ultra heavy equipment, electric power

generation, and the largest of ships.  Large industrial

engines can be up to 49 feet side and run on low

grade diesels.  In places such as China, where there 

is a high demand for de-centralized power sources,

these types of engines are often utilized.

Industral engines are classified in terms of their

speed, or RPM (Rotations Per Minute).  High RPM 

engines are normally used for the lighter, more common

applications, such as trucks and other types of land

equipment.

Medium RPM engines are generally used for power

generation.  Low RPM ranges, and high torque engines

are used for the biggest type of equipment, such as

marine equipment and applications.  

For the most part, industrial diesel engines can

vary in terms of size and performance.  Chances are,

you've either seen or used industrial equipment at

some point in time.  Although they cost a lot of

money, they are the way to go with bigger equipment

for getting the job done right the first time. 

Most Fuel Efficient Vehicles

Most efficient overall - Honda Insight hybrid

With 60 mpg city and 66 mpg highway, the Honda hybrid

has top honors as most fuel efficient in the United

States.  With a 1.0 gas engine mated to an electric

motor, the insight was designed to make the most

of the power by using low resistance tires.  The

bad things about the Insight include a cramped 

interior, seating for two, and a very odd styling.

Fuel efficient mid size car - Toyota Prius hybrid

(60 mpg city and 51 mpg highway)

The Prius, unlike the Honda Insight, is capable of

carrying 5 people plus their gear.  The Prius will

generate a total of 110 HP from its gasoline engine

and electric motor.  The sleek shape to the Prius

has a low co-efficient drag although Toyota has 

managed to do this with a larger, yet more driver

friendly vehicle than the Insight of Toyota.

Most efficient compact car - Honda Civic hybrid

(49 mpg city and 51 mpg highway)

With a reputation of being the cheapest hybrid in

North America, the Civic hybrid takes the great

design of the regular Civic and makes it a lot more

efficient.  With an output of 110 HP, the Civic

hybrid is very competitive for the class.  

Most efficient sub compact car - Volkswagon diesel

(37 mpg city and 44 mpg highway)

The Volkswagon Beetle diesel is ahead of even the

sub compact hybrids.  Making 100 HP, the Beetle 

diesel may not sound that powerful, although the

177 lb-foot of torque will put shame on every

other vehicle in the same class.  

Most efficient station wagon - Pontiac and Toyota

(30 mpg city and 36 mpg highway)

The Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix are both the 

result of a joint venture of Toyota and General

Motors.  Both vehicles come equipped with Toyota

engines, although a lot of the design and 

engineering came from General Motors.  Both the

Matrix and the Vibe are versatile with active

lifestyles.  With a fuel efficient 1.8L 4 cylinder

that produces 126 HP, the Matrix and the Vibe 

aren't going to win a street race although they

make up for it with smoothness, efficiency, and

refinement.

Most efficient large car - Hyundai Sonata

(24 mpg city and 34 mpg highway)

The Sonata is a major surprise, beating out very

stiff competition.  The 2.4L 4 cylinder engine is

very smooth, responsive, and powerful.  The

suspension however, is soft, and geared more

towards comfort than handling.  This isn't a BMW,

although the build quality is great, clearly

demonstrating that Hyundai is no longer a second

rate manufacturer. 

Why People Use Diesel

With diesel engines, the compression ratio is higher 

and there is more power.  From a technical point, the

compression ratio of an engine is the comparison of the

total volume of the cylinder at the bottom of the 

piston's stroke divided by the volume of the cylinder

remaining at the top of the stroke.

Gasoline ratios

Serious damage to gas engines can occur if you attempt

to run a high compression ratio with a low octane type

of fuel.  Detonation is the ignition of the fuel due

to the high temperature caused by a high compression

ratio that is developed by design.  The fuel is

ignited prior to the spark of the plugs that result

in a rapid, yet uncontrolled burning.

Diesel ratios

Keep in mind, the diesel is a heat engine, using heat

developed from the compression of air.  High compression

ratios are possible since the air is compressed.  The

hot compressed air is sufficient to ignite the diesel

fuel when it's finally injected near the top of the

compression stroke.

Diesel engines

Fuel and air in the design of diesel engines are not

premixed outside of the cylinder.  Air is taken into

the cylinder through the intake valve and then

compressed to make heat.  The diesel fuel is injected

near the top of the piston's stroke in an amount or

ratio that corresponds to the load on the engine.

Heavy duty

The higher compression ratio causes engineers to 

design, and test the block, heads, head bolts, 

crackshaft, connecting rods, rod bolts, pistons, 

piston pins, etc., with a greater range of structural

capacity.  To put it in other terms, diesels are

heavier than gasoline engines.

Gasoline 

Deciding on gas and diesel can be tough, although 

there are several reasons why you should use diesel.

1.  Diesel engines produce twice the power

per gallon of fuel than gasoline.

2.  A gallon of diesel is normally cheaper

than a gallon of gas.

3.  Diesel fuel doesn't blow up. The fact

is, its hard to get diesel to burn at all.

4.  Diesel engines will last four times

longer than gasoline engines.

5.  Diesel fuel that is untreated will last

longer in storage than untreated gasoline.

6.  Treated diesel fuel will last longer in

storage than treated gasoline.

7.  Diesel fuel treatment will cost less

than gas treatment.

8.  Spoiled diesel can be reconditioned to

refinery specifications, as spoiled gas can't.

9.  Unmodified diesel engines can be ran on

vegetable oil.

Why You Should Choose Diesel

The major distinction between diesel and gas lies in

the type of ignition.  While gas engines operate on

spark ignition, diesel engines employ compression

ignition for igniting the fuel.  With compression, the

air is drawn into the engine and subjected to high

compression that heats it up.  The result is a very

high temperature in the engine, much high than that

of gas engines.  

In diesel engines, air and fuel are both infused into

the engine at different stages, as opposed to gas 

where a mixture of air and gas are introduced.  The

fuel is injected into the diesel using an injector 

where in a gas engine, a carburetor is used for this

very purpose.  

With gas engines, fuel and air are sent into the 

engine at the same time, then compressed.  The air

and fuel mixture will limit fuel compression, and

thereby hence the overall efficiency.  Diesel engines

only compress air, and the resulting ratio can be 

much higher.  

Advantages

Diesel engines are much more efficient and 

preferable as compared to gas engines due to the

following reasons:

1.  Diesel engines have overcome the several

disadvantages of earlier models that featured higher

noise and maintenance costs.  Now, they are quiet

and require less regular maintenance when compared

with gas engines of a similar size.

2.  Diesel engines are more rugged and reliable.

3.  There is no sparking at all as the fuel

ignites.  The absence of spark plubs or spark 

wires also helps to lower maintenance cost.

4.  The fuel cost produced is 30 - 50 percent

lower than gas engine fuel prices.

5.  Gas burns hotter than diesel, and 

therefore they have a shorter life span when they

are compared with diesel engines.