Diesel car - problem?

[Anonymous]

I’ve been searching for a specific car (specific and fairly rare features). I found one, but it’s diesel. There seem to be plenty of gas stations that carry diesel fuel - is this an issue? Thoughts welcome!

[Anonymous]

I've had a diesel car since 2003 and it still gets great mileage. Easy for highway fill ups bc all rest stops have it, and in my NoVA neighborhood, there are 2 regular gas stations (Exxon and Hess) that carry it, you just have to make sure you're at the right pump. This time of year, it is 10-20% more costly than regular fuel, though, as the diesel refineries also process home heating oil, so that's in higher demand.

[Anonymous]

Depends. A Mercedes diesel is one of the most reliable engines ever made. A GM diesel from the 1980's was a disaster (not that you would find any of those still on the road anymore anyway).

It would help if you named the make and model.

Also, diesel engine performance is different from a gasoline engine, not better or worse, just different. If you're search is for such a specific vehicle, you may want to brush up on how the diesel model will differ from it's gasoline counterpart. For example, an old Mercedes diesel is not going to have anywhere near the jackrabbit acceleration of it's gasoline counterpart.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely avoid the newer “clean” diesels. They require exhaust fluid or have some other type of emissions system that must periodically be serviced. They are FAR more complicated and expensive to service than gasoline vehicles.

Now, if it’s an older diesel, more than 10 years old, before all the emissions stuff, then go for it. Those are fantastic.

But the new diesels suck total ass.

[Anonymous]

I have never had issue finding a station with diesel pump, in town or on the road (I drive my diesel as far as Georgia and Alabama, from DC). Keep in mind that you won't need to refuel so often either (mine can go from here to Georgia with 1 tank / 600 miles).

[Anonymous]

I have a 2004 VW diesel and it still gets great gas mileage and I've never had trouble finding places to fill up, especially now that there are different apps to find diesel.

And I've never had problems with the engine but I've had repeated issues with every other part of this car usually costing a lot of money to fix.

Don't buy a VW if that is what you are considering.

[Anonymous]

Diesel engines don’t like extreme cold, but you should be fine in DC.

One of my ski instructors in Colorado had a diesel car and got stranded trying to get home over a pass one day when it was really cold. He was lucky that a family in a house near where his car died let him come in and hang out until a friend could rescue him.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much! It is a range rover which I did not want to see you because I know how people perceive them on DCUM A new model, probably 2018.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks so much! It is a range rover which I did not want to see you because I know how people perceive them on DCUM A new model, probably 2018.

Say, not see you. Autocorrect!!

[Anonymous]

Sorry one more thing – I’m avoiding the supercharged as I’m aware that has some technology issues. Most likely an HSE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Diesel engines don’t like extreme cold, but you should be fine in DC.

One of my ski instructors in Colorado had a diesel car and got stranded trying to get home over a pass one day when it was really cold. He was lucky that a family in a house near where his car died let him come in and hang out until a friend could rescue him.

Facts aren't straight here. Keeping a diesel running in the cold is not a problem. STARTING a diesel in the cold is though. Diesels will usually have engine block warmers (you plug them in overnight). It's also why truck drivers in very cold weather will just leave the truck engine running all night. I actually did that with my car a few times, knowing that if I turned off the engine, it would never start the next morning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Diesel engines don’t like extreme cold, but you should be fine in DC.

One of my ski instructors in Colorado had a diesel car and got stranded trying to get home over a pass one day when it was really cold. He was lucky that a family in a house near where his car died let him come in and hang out until a friend could rescue him.

Facts aren't straight here. Keeping a diesel running in the cold is not a problem. STARTING a diesel in the cold is though. Diesels will usually have engine block warmers (you plug them in overnight). It's also why truck drivers in very cold weather will just leave the truck engine running all night. I actually did that with my car a few times, knowing that if I turned off the engine, it would never start the next morning.

What year is your car? My parents plugged in their 1980s Oldsmobile diesels, but I had an Audi diesel from 2012 that never plugged in. And I didn't have to do any of that odd diesel maintenance someone up thread mentioned.

I did have to return it though since VA lied and scammed about emissions. Obviously

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would definitely avoid the newer “clean” diesels. They require exhaust fluid or have some other type of emissions system that must periodically be serviced. They are FAR more complicated and expensive to service than gasoline vehicles.

Now, if it’s an older diesel, more than 10 years old, before all the emissions stuff, then go for it. Those are fantastic.

But the new diesels suck total ass.

You do realize exhaust fluid is not a hassle right? It’s easier than filling up your washer fluid. About every 25k miles or do you open a one pint bottle and pour it in the container. Cost a whopping $8.......

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Diesel engines don’t like extreme cold, but you should be fine in DC.

One of my ski instructors in Colorado had a diesel car and got stranded trying to get home over a pass one day when it was really cold. He was lucky that a family in a house near where his car died let him come in and hang out until a friend could rescue him.

Facts aren't straight here. Keeping a diesel running in the cold is not a problem. STARTING a diesel in the cold is though. Diesels will usually have engine block warmers (you plug them in overnight). It's also why truck drivers in very cold weather will just leave the truck engine running all night. I actually did that with my car a few times, knowing that if I turned off the engine, it would never start the next morning.

The fact is it's not the diesel engine, it's the fuel. Diesel fuel will coagulate at very cold temperatures. All you have to do is introduce an available additive to prevent it.

[Anonymous]

Watch the netflix show Dirty Money on the VW diesel emissions cheating scandal. I didn't realize that diesel significantly emits more toxins than gas. Watching that would never make me want to own a diesel. You're often breathing in car fumes as you pull into the driveway or buckle kids in.