Are you thinking of buying a car? One thing to consider is whether to choose a diesel car or one that is gasoline powered.
Both types of vehicle have their advantages and disadvantages. And depending on your needs, one may be more suited for you than the other. With that said, here are some critical differences between diesel cars and gas.
Cost
One of the key things to consider is cost – not just the price of gas vs. diesel, but also the cost of each type of vehicle, as well as taxes.
Currently, the price of diesel is slightly higher than gas. However, fuel prices tend to oscillate frequently. As of November 2018, the cost of diesel was about $3.2 while the price of regular gas stood at $2.5.
While gas seems to be a cheaper option, diesel engines are more fuel efficient than the alternative. This means that although you may pay more for it, a gallon of diesel will last longer. A study by Which.com shows that the fuel economy rate for diesel vehicles is 53.8 mpg compared to 44.9 mpg for gas-powered vehicles.
Another thing to look at in relation to cost is the price of the vehicle. Diesel cars are traditionally more expensive than those that run on gas.
However, with growing concerns over emission and the falling sales, manufacturers are slashing prices. This means diesel cars are not as expensive as they used to be. You can get a good deal on a modern diesel car with low emissions.
Apart from the cost of diesel and the price of cars, you need to also look at taxes. Since the Volkswagen emissions scandal, diesel has been under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Some governments are currently raising taxes on diesel in a bid to combat pollution. Depending on the country you are located, this may or may not be a big deal. In the US, taxes on diesel cars are about 25% higher than gasoline.
Engine
The difference between diesel engines and gas engines is not as much as you may think. Both engines generate mechanical energy to move your vehicle through internal combustion. The main difference between the two engines is the way the fuel is ignited. With diesel engines, air is compressed and then mixed with fuel.
The compression of the air causes it to ignite when it is combined with fuel. However, for gas engines, air and fuel are mixed, and a spark plug provides the ignition.
Diesel engines generally last longer than petrol engines. They are more rugged and produce more torque, so they are recommended for heavy-duty vehicles.
Also, diesel engines do not require frequent maintenance like gas engines because they do not contain spark plugs and do not get as hot as the latter while in operation. A combination of all the factors mentioned above means that you can get more mileage from a diesel engine than from a gas-powered engine.
In the past, diesel engines were noisy and caused a lot of vibration when you turned them on. However, developments in technology have allowed manufacturers to overcome this. While diesel engines still have a deep bass sound, they are not too noisy today and work smoothly just like gas engines.
The main advantage gas engines have over their diesel counterpart is that they weigh considerably less, so they can be used for high-performance vehicles. You will not find a lot of “supercars” on the market with diesel engines.
No diesel engine car will be seen in a fantastic Fast and Furious movie!
Maintenance
Regardless of whether you choose a diesel or gasoline car, regular maintenance is necessary to get the most out of your vehicle. While diesel engines are known to last longer, routine maintenance is vital to achieve this. A diesel engine needs clean oil, air, and fuel to function properly.
Key Aspects to Consider
If you will be racking up a ton of mileage every year and you want a big vehicle, a diesel engine car or truck may be the perfect option. However, if you want a small or medium-sized vehicle for use mainly around your hometown, a gas engine car is a better choice.
Book an appointment with us today to receive expert advice on the best diesel engine cars or trucks to buy.