Category: diesel vs gasoline vehicles

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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