The A to Z of Diesel VS Gasoline vehicles

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Gas Versus Diesel
By John McGuigan

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.

About the Author
John McGuigan writes for various sites across the internet contributing to article directory sites and those about vehicles, with an interest in spots cars and and all things "auto".

Source: The A-Z of Auto

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