Avondale Nissan Official Blog
What is the Difference between Gas and Diesel Engines?
By Product Expert | Posted in Nissan Titan on Friday, July 22nd, 2016 at 2:39 pm
With the release of the 2016 Nissan Titan XD, Nissan drivers now have the option of choosing from either a gas-powered or a diesel engine. While there are certainly questions that arise in terms of capability and MSRP figures, another question is asked more frequently than you might initially think: what is the difference between gas and diesel in the first place? The fine minds at Avondale Nissan have perused the facts, so prepare for some hot-off-the-presses knowledge.
The Difference Between Gas and Diesel Engines
The Basics
As you know, virtually all non-electric engines require combustion to allow for movement, but while gas engines mix fuel and air using sparks from spark plugs, diesel engines compress air to cause the ignition. If you’ve ever seen actual diesel fuel, you know that it seems much heavier and oilier than gasoline, and for years, it had a reputation for being dirty and smelly, but this thankfully isn’t the case any more. Over the last few decades, the reputation of diesel has greatly improved.
So What Do the Differences Between Gas and Diesel Mean in Real World Situations?
Fuel Economy. You’ll often hear that diesel engines achieve higher fuel economy numbers, and this is generally true. Those of us who grew up in colder climates might even remember our parents leaving a diesel running outside for an hour or more, simply because it sometimes had trouble starting and was great on fuel. The reason it achieves better fuel economy is pretty simple: it produces more energy per gallon than gasoline.
Read More: The Titan XD’s Utili-Track Cargo System
Cost. Generally speaking, a diesel engine will push the cost of a vehicle up a few thousand dollars, although the cost of the fuel itself is generally similar. Sure, there will be market fluctuations that might push it in one direction or the other, but it seems to even out over the life of a vehicle. Additionally, diesel engines also require service less frequently than their gasoline counterparts, so this must be figured into the long-term plan as well.
Performance. As anyone who’s looked at the Titan XD and its 555 lb-ft of torque can attest, diesels can really rip off some amazing power numbers. This is because diesel has a greater heat content, higher compression ratio, and a continuous injection of fuel, all of which work together to produce greater potency. In past years, the trade-off was that diesel engines would take longer to accelerate, but this is no longer a problem, as many diesel engines are now turbocharged.
Understanding the rhyme and reason of the diesel powertrain found in the 2016 Nissan Titan XD is certainly crucial to understanding its appeal, so hopefully this helped clear up any questions that were lingering. We hope that you’ll come give this outstanding pickup a look, and we look forward to your visit to Avondale Nissan!
