The Grayline » diesel

What Is The Difference Between Gasoline And Diesel?

Christopher — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:52:25 +0000

Gasoline and Diesel are both types of fuel used to power all types of vehicles and equipment. Gasoline and Diesel are also often sold at the same gas station, so what is the difference between gasoline and diesel? For this discussion we will compare the similarities and differences between petroleum based gasoline and diesel. There are different types of diesel fuel available, like bio-diesel, which I will discuss in a later Difference Between post.

Difference in Refining

The difference between gasoline and diesel begins with how it's produced. Petroleum is refined to produce gasoline and diesel, but the type of fuel is decided at different refining points. Crude oil, which is the thick black stuff you see exploding from oil wells, is refined in a chemical process. Think of the process as like a tower and time spent refining yields a different product from the same crude oil. During the process the crude oil is refined into Heavy Gas Oil, then Lubricating Oil, and then into Diesel.

Diesel fuel takes less time and is lower on the refining process, which typically leads to it being lower in price. The next step of the refining process produces Kerosene and then finally Gasoline which is used in your car. This is a simplification of the refining process, which also includes removing impurities, and lastly involves treating the fuel with additives, generally to increase octane rating.

Rating Difference

Typically when fueling up at the gas station you will notice different octane rated gasoline. Diesel fuel is not measured by octane rating, rather by a cetane rating. The ratings are similar in that they are used to rate the combustion quality of the fuel.

Use Difference

Diesel and gasoline are not interchangeable. Gasoline engines are specifically designed to operate with gasoline properties and diesel engines are designed to operate under diesel fuels properties. Using diesel fuel in a gasoline engine and vice versa could damage your engine.

In addition, gasoline will gel at a much lower temperature than diesel fuel. This is why during the winter time, diesel vehicles will some times be plugged in, to allow a heater to keep the fuel above it's gelling temperature. This core heater will allow for a much easier start in frigid temperatures.

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This has been a post into a series of articles on explaining entry level questions to automotive enthusiasts.

Why Do You Plug In Diesel Trucks?

Christopher — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:42:23 +0000

Winter time is here and along with the beautiful snow comes frigid temperatures, temperatures low enough to do damage to vehicles or create a problem when starting them up. Diesel engines have a harder time starting in the cold than gasoline engines, because Diesel fuel has a different composition. Diesel fuel will gel when sprayed into the combustion chamber if not properly heated.

The cord that you may notice from Diesel vehicles is called a block heater. The block heater keeps the combustion chamber and glow plugs at a temperature that is conducive to igniting the fuel. Otherwise the gelled diesel fuel will cause the engine not to start or cause damage to the cylinder heads.

Typically the need for smaller diesel vehicles to be plugged in is lower than massive diesel engines like those found in garbage trucks. Additives are already in the Diesel fuel during the winter months, which treat the Diesel fuel to keep it from gelling. Larger vehicles typically need that extra layer of protection, by being plugged in, for reliability and to protect the investment.

Recommended Amazon Product

Preventco Inc. 08673 12oz. Winter Diesel Fuel Additive with De-Icer (12 Each)
Sale Price: $123.25

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Why Do You Plug In Diesel Trucks?

Hybrid Diesel Electric Niche For US

Christopher — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:27:30 +0000

Right now as I speak the US automakers are stumbling all over themselves to come up with a plan of action which will allow them to get $25 billion dollars in aid from Congress. One of the requirements, before they fork over the cash, is for the automakers to produce an action plan in regards to how the money will be spent and insure they will not be in this same dire position down the road. It's believed that their focus will shift toward cutting existing lines and producing more fuel efficient vehicles and that may mean bringing a hybrid diesel electric to the US market.

The technology is not new, rather it's been used for years in the train industry, dating back as far as the 1920's. Today VW is leading the way with hybrid diesel electric engineering and using the technology in their VW Golf. The hybrid VW is capable of getting up to 70 miles per gallon, but will not be distributed in the United States. According to VW the technology would be too expensive to build and bring into the US, thus creating a potential market for domestic manufacturers.

Another hurdle US automanufacturers are faced with is the longevity of their current vehicles on the market. More people are holding onto their existing cars for longer and even more are buying used, rather than new. For example, it's easier to buy used diesel vehicles and let someone else take a bath in the depreciation after driving off the lot.

I believe serious thought needs to be put into engineering a quality hybrid diesel electric car for the domestic market. The need for more fuel efficient cars isn't going anywhere and if the automakers hope to pull themselves out of their gas guzzling hole then something needs to change. The current trend of cornering the large SUV and Truck market is obviously failing as a business model and 70 mpg is an appealing buy for anyone looking to purchase a new vehicle.

Golf Diesel Electric

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Hybrid Diesel Electric Niche For US

Nissan Clean Diesel In Japan

Christopher — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:17:12 +0000

Looks like Japan is getting Nissan's first foray into clean diesel applications. According to Nissan the all new X-Trail 20 GT SUV has increased fueleconomy over 30%, compared to the traditional 2.5l gasoline engine. This is especially big news for those in Japan and Europe where actual Diesel engine sales account for more than 60% of all vehicles sold, compared to the US where it's actually less than 10%.

In it's early launch the early adopters will be the ones to pay the high price, much like all new technology. The MSRP on the Nissan eco-friendly SUV will be about $27,000 USD. Check out this Nissan currently only available in Japan.

Nissan X-Trail

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Nissan Clean Diesel In Japan

2008 Chevrolet Captiva Going Automatic

Christopher — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:26:16 +0000

India will be getting a treat later on this year when Chevy decides to release it's Captiva in an automatic. Two versions will be available, including a regular gas guzzling engine and diesel. The diesel would be India's first diesel soft roader.

I'm not exactly sure what that means, but it looks hot.

Chevrolet Equinox LS Equinox 10 MID 6 SPEED CHEVY ONSTAR SUV
US $1,000.00

Chevrolet Tracker HARD Tracker 03 CHEVY 4WD 4X4 SUV
US $1,000.00

Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT LS Chevrolet Trailblazer 7 Passenger 3rd Row Seat SUV 4WD
US $10,200.00

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

2008 Chevrolet Captiva Going Automatic