Gasoline engines inject both air and fuel into the combustion chamber at the same time. The cylinder then compresses this mixture to 8:1 – 11:1 ratio, where the mixture is then ignited by a spark generated by a spark plug. That means that it is taking the amount of air and fuel in the cylinder and compressing it, so that it is compressed up to 1/11th of the original volume. Diesel, on the other hand, compresses pure air up to 25:1 ratio or higher. It then injects the fuel into the chamber, which is super heated, due to the high compressions, and immediately ignited. Diesel fuel also contains a higher energy density, about 147,000 BTU, than gasoline’s 125,000 BTU. BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. Because of the higher compression ratios and higher energy density, when the diesel ignites, it generates more than double the cranking power than the gasoline engine does.

Energy supplies are getting more and more expensive every day. Since this concern is growing, so are the technology advancements for diesel-powered passenger cars. As a matter of fact, in 2006, the Audi R10 took first place in the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race. Not only did it win, but it was the quietest, cleanest, most efficient, and obviously fastest car on the track. This is just a preview of what is to come in the future of diesel-powered vehicles.

Disadvantages of Diesel All of the great news you have read about diesel so far does come with a few disadvantages as well. Diesel fuel has to be very clean for it to burn properly. Contaminants like dirt and especially water will significantly reduce performance and cause your exhaust emissions to increase.

Extremely cold temperatures also cause the diesel to "gel up," reducing the fuel system’s efficiency, and as a result, the amount of fuel injected into the combustion chamber. Also, since diesel is ignited by the heat of compressed gases, cold temperatures may also inhibit the ignition of the fuel during startups.

Also, as mentioned above, diesel-powered vehicles cost more to maintain. Finding a certified technician is also more difficult, due to the lack of demand. So even though a diesel engine is built to last longer under more extreme conditions, when they do need maintenance, it is not as easy of a fix as a gasoline-powered vehicle.

Looking at Diesel From a Lube Point of View. A lube shop needs to realize the opportunity created by the growing popularity of diesel power. As mentioned earlier, finding qualified diesel technicians is no easy feat; and by targeting diesel customers, they can greatly increase profit margins, because of the larger oil capacities and filters.

Using synthetic oils in a diesel engine will also improve the performance and life of the engine. These oils usually contain detergents that help combat excess soot and dirty emissions created by the engine. These oils also help the engine operate more efficiently at higher temperatures, while reducing wear and tear at the same time. Synthetics also improve the engine's cold temperature operation as well, because of the lower pour points that synthetics possess.

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