Thousands of diesel engines fail prematurely each year aided by the presences of glycol, fuel, soot and water in the engine oil.
"You can get up to maybe 250,000 km or 300,000 km before a gas engine starts to make noise, or burn oil because it's wearing out, but a diesel can quite easily do 500,000 km and still be in excellent shape," says one certified mechanic I spoke with.
It's good for the engine to idle. Diesel engines don't burn much fuel at idle. Diesel engines create more heat by idling. Diesel engines must idle or they won't restart.
Cons of diesel cars
Diesel fuel usually costs more. Servicing can be more expensive, although you don't need to do it as often. Diesel cars produce a lot more NO2. Diesel engines can be slightly noisier.
Pros of buying a diesel car
Due to diesel engines' increased fuel economy, you can get up to double the kilometres out of a tank, meaning less trips to the service station. Diesel fuel is less prone to price fluctuations than petrol. Some diesels are even more economical than hybrids and are cheaper to buy.
To get the most benefit from a diesel engine, you need to log many miles on the highway, where engine design and increased fuel economy shine. In fact, if you do most of your driving in short-distance, low-speed city driving, you may end up clogging the engine's particulate filter, requiring additional maintenance.
Over the years the speed of 56mph has often been talked about as being the optimum speed. This was due to the old fuel consumption test being run at three speeds: urban, 56mph and 75mph – and 56mph was always, unsurprisingly, the most efficient of these. Typically, cars are most efficient at 45-50mph.
Contaminated oil is poison to an engine and a blocked filter will either stop oil flow or will allow a bypass valve to supply unfiltered oil to vital engine components – all with catastrophic, expensive consequences.
Con: Fuel is More Expensive
Several factors have contributed to this, including popular demand for diesel, higher production costs due to stricter environmental standards, and a higher federal excise tax on diesel than on gasoline.
So it is advised that drivers regularly give their diesel vehicle a good 30 to 50 minute run at sustained speed on a motorway or A-road to help clear the filter. However, not all drivers do this type of driving regularly – which is why manufacturers have designed an alternative form of regeneration.
The average diesel pickup getting moderately heavy use may need an oil change about twice a year, or every 6,000 miles or so. Trucks that only get light use could be able to go for a year or up to 10,000 miles without an oil change.
When it comes to most diesel vehicles, the recommended service period is about every 3,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. However, this service interval can differ quite significantly depending on the make and model of your car, as well as how much you drive.
However, as modern vehicles are equipped with more and more electronics and components to reduce emissions, short trips are harmful to an engine, whether gasoline or diesel, or can greatly shorten the life of the engine.
If you only ever use your car for quick trips, the DPF may not reach the temperature needed to regenerate, causing a blockage that could lead to a breakdown. So, if you drive a diesel, you should always make sure to take longer journeys every so often to keep your DPF clean and in good working order.
If you're going to be driving long distances or using your truck for heavy-duty towing on a regular basis, a diesel truck should suit. If you plan to go off-roading, head into less populated areas, or carry heavier items in your cargo bed, the typical gas engine might be the way to go.
Diesel cars will be banned in the future with the Committee for Sydney announcing plans to ban diesel cars in 2027. Meanwhile, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has announced that the end of petrol and diesel vehicle sales will be 2035.
Diesel is traded internationally and the largest trading centre in our region is Singapore. This is the reason why Australian retail prices are linked to the Gasoil price of refined diesel in Singapore. Movements in the Gasoil price are influenced by the international price of the crude oil from which it is made.
It's normal for your car's gasoline engine to run for around 200,000 miles before it needs a serious overhaul, or you need a new vehicle. But diesel engines can continuously run for an impressive 1,000,000-1,500,000 miles before needing any major work.
Turbo diesel engines usually out-perform similar sized petrol engines in terms of torque and, quite often, power. The extra torque that diesel engines generate makes them great for carrying big loads and towing.
PRO: Diesels have no spark plugs or distributors. Therefore, they never need ignition tune-ups. CON: Diesels still need regular maintenance to keep them running. You have to change the oil and the air, oil, and fuel filters.