The major distinction between diesel and petrol lies in the type of ignition. While petrol engines operate on spark ignition, diesel engines employ compression ignition for igniting the fuel. With compression, the air is drawn into the engine and subjected to high compression that heats it up. The result is a very high temperature in the engine, much high than that of petrol engines.
In diesel engines, air and fuel are both infused into the engine at different stages, as opposed to petrol where a mixture of air and petrol are introduced. The fuel is injected into the diesel using an injector where in a petrol engine, a carburetor is used for this very purpose.
With petrol engines, fuel and air are sent into the engine at the same time, then compressed. The air and fuel mixture will limit fuel compression, and thereby hence the overall efficiency. Diesel engines only compress air, and the resulting ratio can be much higher.

Advantages
Diesel engines are much more efficient and preferable as compared to petrol engines due to the
following reasons:
1. Diesel engines have overcome the several disadvantages of earlier models that featured higher noise and maintenance costs. Now, they are quiet and require less regular maintenance when compared with petrol engines of a similar size.
2. Diesel engines are more rugged and reliable.
3. There is no sparking at all as the fuel ignites. The absence of spark plugs or spark wires also helps to lower maintenance cost.
4. Diesels get great mileage. They typically deliver 25 to 30 percent better fuel economy than similarly performing petrol engines. Diesels also can deliver as much or more fuel economy than traditional petrol-electric hybrids, depending on the models involved and whatever rapidly developing automotive technology achieves.
5. Petrol burns hotter than diesel, and therefore they have a shorter life span when they are compared with diesel engines.
6. Diesel engines are built more ruggedly to withstand the rigors of higher compression. Consequently, they usually go much longer than petrol-powered vehicles before they require major repairs. Mercedes-Benz holds the longevity record with several vehicles clocking more than 900,000 miles on their original engines!, but longevity and dependability like that can sure help with trade-in and resale values.
Diesel technology is constantly being improved. Pressure to produce low-emission diesel engines for passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, and farm and construction equipment has resulted not only in low-sulfur diesel fuels but also specialized catalytic converters, advanced filters, and other devices to cut down or destroy toxic emissions.

We provide free useful tips fortnightly on repairing and maintaining your automotive. See more at http://www.emech.com.ng

Petrol ~ N100. Diesel ~ N160. When diesel becomes cheaper, we can again reconsider.

But recent sturdies shows that Diesel damages the environment more than petrol does.

erico2k2:
But recent sturdies shows that Diesel damages the environment more than petrol does.

Which study?

Ikenna

Siena:


On average, a 2.0 16V petrol engine will do 32mpg. A 2.0 16V turbo diesel from the same manufacturer, in the same model will achieve 53mpg.

Then of course, considering the lower maintenance costs of the diesel engine, despite the 60 Naira advantage the petrol engine has, the diesel engine WILL cost less to run in less than 3 months.

The issue here is the average Nigerian motorist looks at the cost of single refills, thus failing to see the bigger picture.

The average Nigerian is scared of Diesel, dunno why.

Diesel

Diesel cars are much quieter than they used to be, so it's unlikely that you'll want to avoid them simply because of the noise. They’re also more fuel-efficient than petrols, particularly out of town on long journeys.
The most obvious downside is that diesel cars are more expensive to buy, normally by around £1500 for a standard family hatchback. And diesel fuel costs more per litre than petrol in the UK.
Petrol

Petrol cars are quieter, but there's really not much in it nowadays. Instead, most small cars have petrol engines because the car itself is not that expensive, and adding a diesel engine would increase the price by too much.

The UK's most economical cars 2015

1. Peugeot 308 Blue HDi - 91.1mpg
2. Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTi - 88.3mpg
3. Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion - 88.3mpg
4. Kia Rio 1.1 CRDi - 88.3mpg
5. Renault Clio 1.5 dCi - 88.3mpg
6. Skoda Octavia Greenline - 88.3mpg
7. Ford Fiesta Econetic - 85.6mpg
8. SEAT Leon Ecomotive - 85.6mpg

Most economical cars: things to consider

Diesel engines are not suitable for short trips, but work best for motorway travel - and small petrol engines are the opposite, working well in the city and getting noisy on faster roads. Also, diesel cars are usually more expensive than their petrol equivalents and are more costly to fill up. So if you don't cover long distances, a petrol car could make more financial sense.

You need to think carefully about which car will suit your needs best before you make a decision, rather than thinking purely about the fuel economy.

Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/best-cars/62048/most-economical-cars#ixzz3J8xxEQMR

Ikenna351:


Which study?

Ikenna

This has to do with taxation in the Uk

[quote author=erico2k2 post=28014440]
The average Nigerian is scared of Diesel, dunno why?

One oversight on your part and you refill an akuruaku, shawashawa or adulterated diesel, your song will change. Not only for car, generator etc

Because diesels produce more torque they run at lower rpm most of the time which increases their longevity

Diesel ..no way! Unless Siena is planted in my garage!

See what fuel scarcity has caused, pips are now springing up diesel engine thread.

I am sure a brand new diesel engine is always cheaper than the petrol variant because diesel cars don't just move like the petrol counter part.

Whether diesel is more expensive or not, it still has a better advantage than petrol in terms of price.

If you buying a diesel powered car in Nigeria, you need to do a lot of research before you venture into it, inorder to benefit extensively from the advantage.

nurey:
See what fuel scarcity has caused, pips are now springing up diesel engine thread.

I am sure a brand new diesel engine is always cheaper than the petrol variant because diesel cars don't just move like the petrol counter part.

Whether diesel is more expensive or not, it still has a better advantage than petrol in terms of price.

If you buying a diesel powered car in Nigeria, you need to do a lot of research before you venture into it, inorder to benefit extensively from the advantage.

Brand new Diesel engine will cost more than brand new Petrol engine.

Ikenna

weyreypey:
Diesel ..no way! Unless Siena is planted in my garage!

You have just made me laugh dis early morning.

lonelydora:


You have just made me laugh dis early morning.

Am serious...

Hmmm

humanbean:
Petrol ~ N100. Diesel ~ N160. When diesel becomes cheaper, we can again reconsider.

Fuel subsidy removal says hi.

olenyi:



Fuel subsidy removal says hi.

Funny enough here in Abuja diesel is almost the same price with petrol now. Fuel- 617, diesel- 670.