Despite the active popularization of hybrid cars, the main part of the market is made up of diesel and gasoline vehicles. The choice between these types of engines is an eternal question for the buyer. If you do not know which car is better - diesel or gasoline - we invite you to read the review. It provides information on the weaknesses, strengths and features of each option. We will tell you how diesel and gasoline engines behave in different conditions.
Why driving conditions matter
A new, used diesel or gasoline car has certain characteristics, advantages, and is suitable for specific operating conditions. Well, if you decide in advance what you want to get in the end, what requirements the car must meet. Sometimes a low purchase price is associated with significant operating costs.
For measured city trips, the capabilities of a gasoline engine will be enough. It allows you to confidently squeeze the speed, without any problems to switch gears. Diesels are indispensable in difficult road conditions. These are powerful engines that go well with heavy loads, climb high steep slopes. Such cars are suitable for overcoming significant distances, moving along the highway. When driving at high speeds, they will have modest speeds, switching gears will be needed infrequently.
Cars with gasoline engines quickly pull away, immediately take acceleration to hundreds. Diesels are not so fast, but they show themselves well on overtaking, have good towing capacity parameters. The reverse side of this functionality is increased noise and vibration. Also, it takes time to warm up the diesel - if the trip is very short, it simply will not have time to do it.
Issue price: purchase and operation
In search of an answer to the question of which engine is better, diesel or gasoline, you need to look at prices. And two parameters are important:
- purchase price;
- cost of operation and maintenance.
Diesels are more expensive than gasoline engines, but in the future they will save on fuel. Also compare the consumption in urban conditions and on the highway. The longer the total distance covered by a diesel vehicle, the faster the investment made in the purchase will pay off. Diesel operates at low speeds, consumes fuel economically - in comparison with the gasoline version. This allows you to save time and money - you will drive much longer on one tank.
Depreciation is a separate expense item. Diesel engine maintenance is more expensive than gasoline engine maintenance. Components, motor oils have a fairly high cost. But a diesel car loses its price much more slowly - even after several years of operation, you can sell it for a decent amount.
On guard for the environment
Today, many people are concerned about environmental issues. And this is right - because if we do not save nature for posterity, no one will. Eco-friendly car diesel or gasoline - definitely diesel. It has a power comparable to a gasoline engine, emits reduced CO2 volumes (about 1/5 less). At the same time, diesel engines produce much more toxic NOx emissions, but due to reduced fuel consumption, the total mass of pollutants is moderate.
What's with the noise
Modern drivers pay special attention to the comfort of the engine in operation. This concept includes:
- sounds at work;
- noise in the cabin;
- detonation.
Detonation is manifested in the form of vibrations, more typical for diesel engines. Normally, high-quality engines do not create unnecessary vibration loads, in principle, if they exist, it is worth checking the engine itself, and the fuel supply and ignition systems.
Constant noise in the cabin makes driving uncomfortable. The gasoline engine does not raise questions, the quietest options are models with hydraulic lifters. With diesels, the situation is different - they growl, make other sounds. The reason for this lies in the pressure drops before and after ignition. The degree of noise of diesel engines in practice is different, only reviews and test drives will help here. But, despite the abundance of sound effects, motors are in demand, they are chosen for their excellent performance, durability and reliability.
Gasoline: pros and cons
Which engine is better gasoline or diesel, you will understand the pros and cons of each option. “For” the purchase of a gasoline engine they say:
- budget operation;
- cheap repairs, availability of components;
- easy starts in cold weather;
- quiet operation (compared to diesel);
- significant intervals between scheduled maintenance, rare oil and filter changes;
- maximum power at high speeds.
Factors "against":
- the presence of an ignition system and candles (they must be carefully monitored);
- the average resource of the unit as a whole;
- low power at the bottom;
- high fuel consumption;
- low torque;
- slow start compared to diesel.
Diesel: to be or not to be
The list of pros and cons will help you understand why diesel is better than gasoline. Advantages of diesel engines:
- simple construction;
- excellent traction;
- lack of an ignition system;
- good environmental performance;
- impressive resource of the unit;
- economical fuel consumption (gasoline engines use a third more).
Disadvantages:
- expensive repairs (especially injectors, injection pump);
- frequent expensive maintenance;
- the need to purchase a special diesel fuel resistant to low temperatures;
- the need for the use of antigels;
- noisy work;
- satisfactory performance when driving at high speeds.
Now you know which engine is better petrol or diesel in your case, taking into account the budget, driving style, and you can make the right choice. The most favorable prices are offered by car online stores. When comparing the cost of diesel and gasoline engines, consider not only the cost of the product itself, but also operating costs.