| If you own a diesel powered vehicle, you | | | | If it is torque you need, particularly for |
| probably appreciate the inherent qualities of | | | | pulling a boat, camper, or equipment, than a |
| this type of engine. More torque, better fuel | | | | diesel engine has the advantage. A diesel |
| economy, easier maintenance are some of the | | | | engine is definitely slower especially when |
| attributes of owning a diesel powered | | | | starting from a dead stop, but when climbing |
| vehicle. Still, some motorists complain about | | | | hills or going over bridges, your diesel |
| the engine's weak power, particularly when | | | | powered vehicle can definitely handle the |
| accelerating from a full stop. What you may | | | | challenge. |
| not know is that a diesel engine can be | | | | |
| tweaked to produce more power without harming | | | | So, why aren't more vehicles built in North |
| fuel economy. Let's take a look at diesel | | | | America diesel powered? A few reasons |
| engines and what you can do to squeeze out | | | | including: |
| more power. | | | | |
| | | | Stricter emissions control standards. Diesel |
| Thanks to the work of one man, Rudolf Diesel, | | | | engines pollute more, so not many |
| we have a choice when it comes to driving. | | | | manufacturers have improved upon the |
| Besides hybrid or rotary engines, the chief | | | | technology to produce an engine that is |
| way most vehicles run is via a gasoline | | | | environmentally friendly. However, several |
| powered internal combustion engine. However, | | | | upcoming engines from VW and others may |
| with Diesel's 1892 patent of the engine that | | | | change all of that. |
| bears his name, diesel power has played a | | | | |
| significant role in powering buses and trucks | | | | Not enough power. Yes, a common complaint, |
| across North America. Some passenger | | | | even with turbo diesels, is that the engines |
| vehicles, particularly pick up trucks, are | | | | are not powerful enough. North American |
| also diesel powered giving motorists an | | | | drivers are accustomed to getting on the |
| option to gasoline. | | | | highway with a minimum amount of effort. With |
| | | | a diesel engine, it can take as much as twice |
| Diesel engines have the following advantages | | | | as long to get up to full speed. |
| over their gasoline counterparts: | | | | |
| | | | Fortunately, several aftermarket product |
| Diesels use air compression to create | | | | developers are helping motorists squeeze out |
| combustion versus the air/fuel mixture | | | | more power from their diesel engines. |
| required by gasoline powered cars. This | | | | Performance programmers, made for specific |
| attribute means that diesel engines do not | | | | diesel engines, are helping motorists see a |
| require spark plugs and thus do not have to | | | | nice spike in horsepower as well as increases |
| be tuned up. | | | | in torque. The beauty of some of these |
| | | | aftermarket parts is that they don't harm |
| Diesel fuel has a higher fuel density than | | | | fuel economy. In fact, some claim to help |
| gasoline resulting in fuel economy increases | | | | improve it. |
| of 20-30% over comparable gasoline powered | | | | |
| models. | | | | Yes, the number of diesel powered passenger |
| | | | vehicles presently on North American highways |
| Diesel engines are cheaper to maintain as | | | | is presently very small; however with newer, |
| they have less parts vs. a gasoline engine. | | | | cleaner and stronger engines on the way, you |
| The lifespan of a diesel engine is also | | | | may soon find yourself opting for a diesel |
| significantly longer. | | | | powered vehicle too. |
| | | | |