why is diesel not popular in the us?

[z0mb13]

EDIT: doh pressed enter too soon

diesel is cheaper, better mileage and produce more torque than gas...

wondering bout this from the other thread...

 

[dullard]

US = many places with cold weather.

Diesel before 1990 = cannot start in cold weather.

Now you put the two together and you will see why diesel didn't catch on. Plus it is smelly, you cannot easilly fill up the tank, and it polutes more (less levels of some polutants, but drastically more of others).

As for the diesel is cheaper remark, that is only sometimes true here. Often they switch back and forth in price. There are plenty of gas running vechiles that get better mileage too.

I had a friend that had a diesel car. It let out a thick blue smoke every time he accelerated. The cars behind him couldn't see a thing until the smog cleared. And boy did it smell bad, but I already said that above.

 

[MrChicken]

1. Not enough places to buy it.
2. It's loud and sounds like the engine is dying.
3. It stinks.

Only #1 keeps me from buying one.

 

[illusion88]

yeah, you cant start those things if its cold. Thats why I wouldnt get a diesel... I plan on moving to the snow.

 

[Quixfire]

The 1980's diesel engines ruined the enviroment for US buyers. They were noisey, smokey, leaky money pits. I should know I owned a few and repaired several dozen 5.7L & 6.2L GMs and the 6.9L International/Ford Diesels.

 

[Zebo]

Everything said far is inaccuate that's why.

 

[Dudd]

Gas prices were low in the US, so we didn't need to turn to diesels to improve our mileage. It was too smelly and too polluting, and since our gas prices are relatively low compared to Europe, the negatives outweighed the positives. Now that diesels have come a long way, we still have the negative image of the old diesel in our minds. That, coupled with the fact that we don't have the infrastructure to support the newer diesels (our fuel has more sulfer that Europe, IIRC) means that we're still using regular gasoline.

 

[Giblet]

Originally posted by: z0mb13
EDIT: doh pressed enter too soon

diesel is cheaper, better mileage and produce more torque than gas...

wondering bout this from the other thread...

its the sulfer in deisel. current diesel has way to much. i think they are increasing the requirment to 15 parts per million. but curently they are producing diesel with about 500 parts per million because the measurment is to finite for curent technology. i know this caus my dad runs a company making something that will be acurate to something like 5 parts per million. then cars with diesel mottors may be able to pass emmision tests

 

[Dudd]

Damn it, meant to Edit, not Quote.

 

[jaydee]

The gas mileage is only better with more powerful engines (pick-ups, V6 engines, school buses, ect.) If you ever put one in a Saturn, I don't think you'd get better mileage.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: Carbonyl
Everything said far is inaccuate that's why.

What about the above is inaccurate? I've been in several diesels that couldn't run in the winter. They all smelled. And 95% of gas stations around here don't sell diesel. So what is untrue about those statements? Maybe my 1990 date was off by a couple of years, but my point is still true.

 

[Dudd]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: Carbonyl
Everything said far is inaccuate that's why.

What about the above is inaccurate? I've been in several diesels that couldn't run in the winter. They all smelled. And 95% of gas stations around here don't sell diesel. So what is untrue about those statements? Maybe my 1990 date was off by a couple of years, but it is still true.

The diesels of 2003 are vastly improved over the diesels of the 80s and 90s. Newer technology in use in Europe has rendered most of those points moot. Unfortunately, it's the infrastructure and negative public opinion that are holding it back in the US.

 

[Giblet]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: Carbonyl
Everything said far is inaccuate that's why.

What about the above is inaccurate? I've been in several diesels that couldn't run in the winter. They all smelled. And 95% of gas stations around here don't sell diesel. So what is untrue about those statements? Maybe my 1990 date was off by a couple of years, but my point is still true.

they are true but not the whole reason

 

[B00ne]

The cold argument is true, our diesel is only rated to -24ºC which is 11.2ºF if I calculated right (damn hard to remember weirdass T scale)

However, at least one manufacturer is already offering diesels with catalyst and particulate filters (slfcleaning)

the sound, well yes they are a bit noisier but ususally not more noisy than many US vehicles which I find quite loud for pedestrians

 

[Desslok]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
The 1980's diesel engines ruined the enviroment for US buyers. They were noisey, smokey, leaky money pits. I should know I owned a few and repaired several dozen 5.7L & 6.2L GMs and the 6.9L International/Ford Diesels.

HE is right the Diesel engines from domestic makers in the 80's sucked.

The cold starting thing is a memory, they are easy to start in the cold you just have to wait for the glow plugs or other engine warming system to warm up.

 

[UCDznutz]

i thought you were going to talk about Diesel jeans and clothing

 

[zCypher]

Originally posted by: jaydee
The gas mileage is only better with more powerful engines (pick-ups, V6 engines, school buses, ect.) If you ever put one in a Saturn, I don't think you'd get better mileage.

Yeah, that's so true... that's why the turbodiesel VW Golf gets the best gas mileage in its class (and it's a small car) RIGHT?

 

[B00ne]

well off course the diesel engine has a higher efficiency than a gas engine - so unless u loose alot on the way to the wheels compared to the same car with gas engine - u have to get a better mileage or u would be tricking the laws of thermodynamics

 

[MorphineChild]

Diesels are not popular in the states because everyone here remembers the old diesel technology and will not give the new diesel technology a chance. I just spent three months in europe and it seems like everything is diesel. They do not smell anymore and are really guiet. Heck take a look at the Smart car if you think diesels only belong in a big truck!

 

[Pliablemoose]

Text

Don't know who this pliablemoose guy is...

 

[EvilYoda]

whoops, I thought the thread was talking about the clothing/apparel manufacturer.

 

[jaydee]

Originally posted by: zCypher

Originally posted by: jaydee
The gas mileage is only better with more powerful engines (pick-ups, V6 engines, school buses, ect.) If you ever put one in a Saturn, I don't think you'd get better mileage.

Yeah, that's so true... that's why the turbodiesel VW Golf gets the best gas mileage in its class (and it's a small car) RIGHT?

Doh I typed too fast, that was suppose to be in the form of a question. My bad. I was unaware anyone made small cars with diesel engines. Why do see them predominately in tractors, trucks, heavy duty type vehicles?

 

[Giblet]

Originally posted by: jaydee

Originally posted by: zCypher

Originally posted by: jaydee
The gas mileage is only better with more powerful engines (pick-ups, V6 engines, school buses, ect.) If you ever put one in a Saturn, I don't think you'd get better mileage.

Yeah, that's so true... that's why the turbodiesel VW Golf gets the best gas mileage in its class (and it's a small car) RIGHT?

Doh I typed too fast, that was suppose to be in the form of a question. My bad. I was unaware anyone made small cars with diesel engines. Why do see them predominately in tractors, trucks, heavy duty type vehicles?

because of the increased power and milage. think if they were powered by regular gas. they would get like 6 miles to tha galon. i know my car only gets 12

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: dullard
I had a friend that had a diesel car. It let out a thick blue smoke every time he accelerated. The cars behind him couldn't see a thing until the smog cleared. And boy did it smell bad, but I already said that above.

And if you knew anything about cars, you'd know exactly why that was happening and know that it can happen just as easily in gasoline vehicles as well.

 

[no0b]

Originally posted by: ffmcobalt

Originally posted by: dullard
I had a friend that had a diesel car. It let out a thick blue smoke every time he accelerated. The cars behind him couldn't see a thing until the smog cleared. And boy did it smell bad, but I already said that above.

And if you knew anything about cars, you'd know exactly why that was happening and know that it can happen just as easily in gasoline vehicles as well.

Yea it sounds more like Oil is burning. The seals on the engine are going bad...