Why diesel engines are better

Diesels are usually the best choice for consumers who will be putting mostly highway miles on their car or truck. On the highway, diesel engines are more efficient than gasoline fueled cars. This is because diesel fuel packs more energy than gasoline; a gallon of diesel fuel has up to 30 percent more energy than a gallon of gas. This means that diesel fuel has a price advantage when considering fuel economy. In city driving, the gap between diesel fuel and gasoline fuel diminishes, but diesel holds a small benefit in better mileage.

Diesel provides more torque then gasoline does. High torque allows for terrific acceleration, which helps give diesel the advantage in fuel economy numbers. Cars and small trucks that run on normal diesel surprisingly perform better than gasoline-powered engines. Nevertheless, performance suffers in diesel engines when bio-diesel, black diesel or other types of enhanced diesel fuel is the fuel consumers choose to run on. At this time, there is almost no difference in the United States comparing gasoline to diesel fuel.

Diesel fluctuates and is higher at times than gas; however, it is also less expensive at times too, so it averages out. But, since diesel gets better mileage than gasoline , diesel engine fuel costs are lower than gasoline engines over the life of the vehicle. That is to say, the higher the octane rating of gasoline, the less energy it contains per unit of measure. The Btu per gallon of diesel is around , And, low sulfur diesel has an energy density of , So, the energy density of diesel is between 9.

However, fuel density on accounts for about half of the difference in fuel economy that exists between gasoline engines and diesel engines. Gasoline engines and diesel engines are, fundamentally, very different. Gasoline engines are spark-fired engines. The fuel inside the engine cylinder that ignites and pushes the piston down as it burns ignites as the result of exposure to a flame, a spark.

Diesel engines are compression-fired. The diesel inside the engine cylinder ignites as the result of exposure to extremely high temperatures. The temperatures are a byproduct of the compression of air in the piston cylinder. All gases, when compressed, generate heat. The heat generated in compression engine ignites the fuel in the cylinders.

Diesel engines are compression engines. Either the engine is built to run solely on natural gas, requiring it — unlike a diesel — to use spark plugs for ignition, or it is dual-fuel, combining the natural gas with a small amount of diesel fuel, which is compressed in the combustion chamber until it ignites, a process known as high-pressure direct injection, or HPDI.

Diesel engines are more fuel efficient than gasoline for several reasons. However, all the reasons come down to the qualities of diesel fuel.

Because diesel fuel has high energy density and because diesel fuel has high compression resistance, diesel engines are more fuel efficient than other engine types. And, because diesel fuel burns more efficiently — more completely — diesel engines pollute less. Your email address will not be published. Thermal Efficiency of Diesel Engines Diesel engines are better engines than gasoline engines with respect to combustion efficiency.

Thermal Efficiency of Diesel Engines Because of Compression Resistance of Diesel The higher the compression resistance of fuel, the greater the compression ratio a fuel can withstand. Thermal Efficiency and Fuel Economy Thermal efficiency, technically, works input versus work output. Diesel and Diesel Engines Also Pollute Less Diesel engines are cleaner than gasoline engines and alternative fuel engines as well.

Differences in Density: Specific Energy Vs Fuel Density Diesel is considerably more dense than gasoline and far more energy dense than alternative fuels. The Role of Fuel Density in the Calculation of Energy Density Fuel density is the weight of fuel on a volume scale, how much a gallon or liter of fuel weighs.

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We hate spam and never share your details. Diesels typically deliver better highway mileage numbers than city driving. The additional torque can help you efficiently haul a bigger load. Learn more about quality auto parts , find your car part , or find a local car repair shop today. The content contained in this article is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be used in lieu of seeking professional advice from a certified technician or mechanic.

We encourage you to consult with a certified technician or mechanic if you have specific questions or concerns relating to any of the topics covered herein. Under no circumstances will we be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on any content. Gas engine alternative. How a diesel engine works Like a gas-powered engine, a diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses a series of small explosions combustions to power the vehicle.

Here is what the four-stroke process looks like in a diesel engine: Stroke 1 — Intake : Inlet valve opens to bring in air while pulling the piston down. Stroke 2 — Compression : Inlet valve closes and the piston moves back up to compress the air, heating it up. Stroke 3 — Combustion power : When the piston is at the top, fuel is injected and ignites.

The combustion pushes the piston back down. Stroke 4 — Exhaust : Exhaust valve opens and the piston returns to the top, expelling exhaust out of the cylinder. Diesels on US roads. Advantages of diesel. Disadvantages of diesel. Is a diesel right for me?