Even though with the BS6 norms diesel engines are all but gone there are still some carmakers that haven’t left diesel engines to die. Just like we did with petrol, here are 10 reasons as to why your next car should be a diesel-powered one.
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Diesel cars are more efficient
Diesel cars are more efficient Due to how a diesel engine works, it makes this fuel more efficient than petrol. Because of burning fuel at high compression ratio instead of using spark plugs, this gives diesel engines an edge over the petrol-powered engine in terms of efficiency. They are also unthrottled which gives them even better efficiency.
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Diesel cars emit fewer greenhouse gases
Diesel creates fewer greenhouse gasses This might come as a surprise to some people but it’s a fact. Diesel engines produce fewer greenhouse gasses as compared to petrol cars. Greenhouses gases are responsible for global warming. They do however release more NOx emission which is harmful to breathe and causes more short term than long term damage.
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Diesel fuel is cheaper than Petrol (most of the time)
This one is a no brainer. Most people choose diesel cars over petrol because the fuel is cheaper. The cheaper fuel allows people to earn extra money they spend back and start getting a profit in a couple of years. The difference is getting lower every year but diesel is still cheaper than petrol in most cities.
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Diesel engines have a longer service interval
There are multiple reasons for this. Diesel engines work at lower RPMs compared to a petrol engine which causes less wear and tear. The parts of the diesel engine are thicker due to the pressure they have to withstand. This makes them more sturdy thus less likely to fail. Diesel being a light oil also lubricates the combustion chamber every time it’s being used. This also makes it last longer as less friction equals less wear which in turn means less service required.
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Diesel engines are torquey
These engines are built for more torque while being more efficient than a petrol engine. The reason is the compression ratio. As diesel engines are self-igniting, they need to generate enough pressure in the combustion chamber which would make the diesel ignite. This increase in compression ratio means more torque is produced when combustion occurs. The diesel engine also has faster combustion which means more torque as well.
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Diesel cars can haul more load
Diesel-powered pickup truck As they generate more torque, diesel cars are better suited for hauling heavy items. Torque determines the rotational force of the car and the more torque a car has the more load it can carry without losing performance. This makes the diesel-powered vehicle ideal for heavy hauls.
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Diesel is fun to drive
Due to the high torque they produce, diesel engines are more fun to drive even more so when they reach high speeds. They, however, do feel a bit sluggish when at a slower speed due to lag.
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Diesel is versatile in stop & go traffic
Another advantage of more torque generated at lower speed spectrum, they are good for stop and go traffic. It will be a little bit disorienting at first due to the lag experienced but it gets better than petrol.
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Diesel is more reliable in the long run
From fewer visits to the service station to stronger engine parts that don’t fail as often, diesel engines are more reliable than petrol in the long run. They are costlier to repair than petrol but they fail less often as compared to petrol thus making the odds in favour of diesel.
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Diesel cars undergo less depreciation
Diesel cars lose less value over the years as compared to petrol cars. This is due to the market trend of second-hand diesel cars being in demand by Indian consumers. The demand keeps the price high.
These were the ten reasons as to why you should choose diesel over petrol. With this you know the advantages of both petrol and diesel and now can make an educated decision on what fuel type suits you more.
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Similar Read: 10 Reasons To Choose Petrol Over Diesel For Your Next Car
Diesel engine
Diesel is actually slightly costlier than petrol. what makes diesel cheeper than petrol in india is the tax on diesel.
Hi Karthik,
I hope you double checked the facts. Lower wear and tear due to “thicker” parts and “stronger” engine parts are such rookie words. I hope you are not misleading anyone.
I am all in for Diesel engines but this is not as convincing as it should be. Diesels are shining now a days due to better engineering and improved efficiencies. Petrol engines always had this piece of cake. Flywheel of a diesel are heavier and hence the torque-output. Compression ratio is because of the properties of fuel used.
Just wanted to say, marketing is good but it also should always appreciate the engineering and the technology improvements done to it. Hope you take easy.
Hi Thanooj,
As this article was made for people that are not experienced in automotive terms and working I kept it simple to understand.
About the low wear and tear due to thicker and stronger parts. I never stated that those parts are the reason for low wear and tear. They are two separate points. I simply mentioned that the parts involved in a diesel engine are built sturdier as they need to withstand more force. Wear and tear were mentioned in the oil part and that operating at lower RPM than petrol engines provide them with more life.
Other points that you have mentioned are all covered in the article. I cannot write better engineering as a selling point for diesel as most people do not care about it. They want to see points that will affect them directly and mentioning that diesel is better made than the petrol engine(which I agree with as well) in my opinion will not help drive its sale.
As for appreciating engineering and technological improvements, I couldn’t agree more.
Thanks for reading and have a nice day.
Which is the best mid section car either diesel or petrol car to buy before March 31st 2020
Hi Sankaran,
We’d be happy to help but to assist you further, we would like to know your exact budget or the price range in which you are looking for.
You may need to recheck points 2,4,7,8,9,&10.
On the ground almost everyone has a different opinion.
These are the precisely the most of the reasons a driving enthusiast and salesman pitch for petrol. Am a driver/ owner/ car buyer and confused. Can you back your points by studies or trials?
Hi Ashwin,
1. Fuel Efficiency and Low-end Torque,
-Diesel-powered engines combust fuel by compressing air-fuel mixture at higher compression which increases the temperature and mixture ignites itself.
-The higher compression ratio of the diesel engine, which is between 14:1 to 25:1. Whereas the compression ratio of a petrol engine is 10:1 to 13.5:1.
-Due to a higher compression ratio of diesel engine, more torque is produced and relatively higher power is obtained at lower RPMs when compared to a petrol engine. Due to these diesel engines are more fuel-efficient compared to petrol-powered engines.
2. Diesel as a Fuel that produces lower Greenhouse gases.
-In India, the diesel is cheaper than petrol which results in more kilometre per rupee. Diesel has a lower auto-ignition temperature(210°C) compared to petrol (280°C).
-Due to its lower auto-ignition temperature diesel can be combusted without using spark. Diesel also has a higher flash point due to which it cannot catch fire even if a burning match is thrown in a diesel tank.
-Diesel fuel can also be made from plants and animals called Bio-Diesel which can reduce the amount of crude oil being used and also makes it more environmentally friendly. -In addition, when diesel combusts in the cylinder it produces, NOx, CO2, and PM mostly. Moreover, with the introduction of BS6, the Sulphur in the fuel has also reduced by a dime.
3. Serviceability or Longer Service Intervals,
-Diesel engines tend to last longer than petrol engine because of their operating speeds and their construction.
-Diesel engines are built stronger so that they can handle higher compression ratio and temperatures.
-And due to the lower operating speed (RPMs) of diesel engines has less wear and tear of its components when compared to their petrol counterparts which produce power higher in the rev range.
4. Diesel can haul more loads
-If a vehicle is being used for commercial purposes such as taxis, trucks or buses. Using a diesel engine powered vehicle will be much more profitable.
-The cost of diesel, specifically in India, is lesser than that of petrol and can vary from state to state.
-Heavy vehicles require more torque to accelerate and haul loads which can be easily achieved by a diesel engine at lower RPMs.
-And with the lower operating speeds of the engine, the maintenance cost of the vehicle is reduced as well.
5. Fun to Drive
-As the diesel engines have a higher compression ratio, the engine has to compress the air more.
-The higher compression ratio is achieved by a long-stroke engine. Where the stroke of the engine is larger than the bore diameter.
-With the long stroke, the piston travel more in the vertical direction and a larger diameter crankshaft is used. With larger diameter crankshaft more torque is generated in the diesel engine at lower rpm even if the force exerted by the piston in diesel engine and petrol engine is the same.
-Because of more torque, and higher power at lower RPMs, diesel engines powered cars feels relatively effortless to drive in cities or highways.
Hope It helped. Stay Pinned! 🙂
Diesel engine does not last long due to high vibration as compression ratio is high . Diesel engine needs more maintenance compare to Petrol. Though Fuel efficiency depends on Heat value per Kg (not per ltr)which is more in diesel thus mileage is more
Hi Shekhar,
Diesel engines tend to last longer than petrol engines because of their operating speeds and their construction. Diesel engines are built stronger so that they can handle higher compression ratios and temperatures. And due to the lower operating speed (RPMs) of diesel engines, they have less wear and tear of their components when compared to their petrol counterparts which produce power higher in the rev range. Also, you have to keep the engine on the boil to extract the most out of the engine.
Because of “there” operating speeds? Come on guys. Get your grammar right. As your facts are all jumbled.
Disappointing but not surprising.
The best part? Go Mechanic with its team of inexperienced bloggers seems to want to force an opinion. Wow. Amazing work. Bravo.
Hi there,
May you please shed some light on the facts that you find are jumbled. It’ll be really helpful. 🙂
I can agree generally to most of the points but I would add that in my country you have to add the cost of def and the high cost of repairs of the exhaust systems the auto makers are forced to install for environmental reasons. As the owner of a grand Cherokee diesel it was a horror show. Over 100k of driving I had to bring it in for a forced burn 3 times and had to get the system replaced once at a cost of 4500.00 canadian for the pleasure. The forced burns were approximately 500.00 a shot. My driving was 50/50 highway and City. Internet is full of people with the same issue. Once the warning light comes on your forced to get somewhere and drive at highway speeds for at least 30 minutes praying the light goes off. Back to a petrol and will never go back. Will say fuel mileage was awesome for a vehicle in this weight class.
As far as I’m concerned diesel is more expensive than petrol. The service interval on my BMW 440i is 18000 miles or 2 years same as a diesel.
Diesel is smelly and very polluting an, should be banned ASAP. My 3.0L petrol is doing 41 toothed gallon on long runs and 28 in town. Its cleaner and quicker than ant diesel I’ve ever driven.
So I’m sorry diesel is nasty and, I have never owned one and never will.
Diesel has more torque at lower RPM’s, which is better for heavier vehicles.