CNET On Cars - Car Tech 101: Understanding diesels

Scorned in the U.S. and adored in Europe, diesels have the unfair tag of being dirty and inefficient. They are, however, quite the opposite.

[TheChill]

here's a fun fact: Diesels are loved in europe, but actually don't fit it, this is because europe is so densely populated, most drives are essentially start stop and short drives, which actually ruin a diesels good points, as it gets most efficiency on longer drives with less start stop action. The US favors gasoline, but with its long roads and being less densely populated (except cities like NYC and such) it would make more sense to use a diesel... in the end, it just shows that the world works in strange and sometimes funny ways xD

[jwj]

I love diesels.  I had the old diesels too but the new generation is wonderful.  Audi's new 3.0 TDI produces over 400lbs of torque and low RPM and is so sweet coming out of a turn.

[johnjerrehian]

One of your best videos. I love my Audi 3.0 TDI. 515 ft pds of torque at 1750 RPM and 42 MPG in a full sized A6, (with a mild software tune).

[trwent]

I have owned a Chevy Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel sedan for a little over a year now.  I absolutely LOVE it so far.  I drove from central California to Utah and back this last summer and, on the freeway, I was averaging 48, 49,  ... even 50 mpg using the cruise control.

[JJKSeattle]

Preach, my Brother! I'm on my fourth diesel automobile ('97 Mercedes E300). I've also owned an '83 Mercedes 300D and before that a '84 Peugeot 604TD and a '80 Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel...all of which traveled 200K+ miles. For anyone that does a lot of longer distance highway commuting, diesels are the way to go! They easily cover 250, 000 miles before any major rebuilds are necessary and are more forgiving if you thrash them. In fact, an occasional high speed thrashing is good for an oil burner...blows the crud out of the system!

If you are going to buy a diesel, take my advice: Make sure you stick to preventative maintenance schedules (diesels HATE dirty fuel filters and oil) and do a Liqui-Moly Diesel Purge twice a year. Look it up on YouTube. You'll thank me!

[LMB]

I've got my first - modern - diesel at 48.

I'm never going back to gasoline. Next car will probably be electric. The current diesel took a week or two to get used to, but it is nothing short if wonderful.

With turbo and intercooler you get two engines: the very economic one at 1000 to 2500 rpm, and the extremely strong one over 2500 rpm.

In fact, the engine produces so much torque that stability control is a must.

[FCFordLord]

Diesel owner here. Those bringing up the price, as of August 20th, 2015, I pay about 13-15c more than regular per gallon to fill up. The trick is; Don't use the first station you see, but don't use low grade red dyed fuel. Most stations are 45-50c more per gallon here on the main highway. Once you get off the main highway, you get to the cheaper stations. Sheetz has been the cheapest lately.

[Melchisedech]

I know its 2018, BUT, still very good video. Straight to the point, awesome job !

[cmanlovespancakes]

The problem with diesel cars in the US, is that the fuel is usually (depends on where on lives) more expensive than regular gas and in many states it's more than premium gasoline. In the northeast where many homes are heated by oil, basically low grade diesel fuel, the winter prices for diesel can be very expensive. Maybe if you live in Texas where fuel is cheaper and highway trips are longer it might make sense to buy a diesel but not here in the congested Northeastern US with higher fuel prices and shorter trips.

[Seylah]

Back in its day the diesel engine of the 2004 7th gen Honda Accord EU version (the thing you call Acura TSX in America) had the quitest engine of all cars in its class. The 7th gen EU Civic i-CTDi (2005) is actually more efficient and cleaner then a Toyota Prius. Honda are still keeping those traditions, but now this also applies to most other brands too, the 2013 Mazda models are being best in class in every range.

[JackBlack]

Yes, that might be true, but you MPG return is also much higher!
What we like in powerful engines is the tork and diesel engines have, due to the high compression, al lot. VW 2.0T gas engine produces 250Nm (sorry european) and the 2.0T-diesels can go all the way up to 450/550Nm!
Added bonus is, that they are, generally, very smooth!

[magnumcyclonex]

Very informative. Please do more features like this on things like braking, KERS, automatic vs stick shift etc. Keep up the awesome work Cooley!

[seanzappulla]

If i was a taxi owner i would buy a turbo diesel car. Here in Australia Turbo diesels are very attractive with taxi owners to buy the cars. Less taxis are gasoline and LPG these days here in Australia.

[doodskie]

here in the PH, diesels are very common, almost 99% of our trucks are diesels, 50% of taxis are diesel, 80% of SUV's are diesel, diesel cost 42 pesos while gas costs 54-59 pesos

[rickytomatoes]

Interesting fact: Audi won it's past few LeMans championships using a 6-cylinder TDI diesel engine.
I think diesel engine technology has made huge progress in the past 5 years. It really is exciting to witness. Perhaps my next car will be a VW with TDI engine in it.

[Maxxxwell]

not a word about turbo lag, the need for gloves while refueling or the exhaust smell.  Good to see that this guy doesn't hate everything he reviews.

[rayford]

It strikes me funny that nobody here has mentioned anything about sub-zero temperature characteristics of a typical auto diesel engine.
Although these engines may contain "glow plugs" to aid in starting there's still an issue with the fuel viscosity at colder temperatures.
...And no mention of the cost of routine maintenance. Go check the difference in price of complete service intervals of the diesel vs. gasoline engines.
Better fuel mileage on a diesel...yes Cheaper fuel prices...absolutely not.

[TheArfdog]

Diesels are more efficient, but the main thing keeping them from being popular is the lack of diesel stations and urea. Who wants to fill another tank? Also diesel exhaust treatment is much more expensive than gasoline exhaust, so either consumers pay more or companies make less and therefore don't want to sell them. Gasoline is mighty hard to beat.

[kacperziajka]

Love how they showed the video of a Honda ICTDI diesel which you guys DEFINITELY don't get in the UK. By the way, an amazing engine.

[jeysonandstephaniebraun]

I live in Brazil where we have outrageous gas prices and drive a diesel ford ranger pickup. It really does great on the highway because it cruises at 60 mph at about 1700 rpm and has plenty of torque left to accelerate and pass other cars.