Re: Diesel car considerations
I would recommend going the diesel route. I have a diesel, and have had no problems living in the cold weather. I had to leave it in the Enterprise parking lot for a week, while I went on a business trip, it was a steady -30 that week, my truck started right up without any starting aids. I was impressed with that performance.
I can address all of your questions, but it may be a long post. I actually spend several years developing fuel ratings for diesel engines for my company, so I have the technical side covered very well.
1. Cold Weather
Cold weather is a legitimate concern when it comes to diesels, for several different reasons. First, #2 diesel fuel will gel at colder temperatures. There is a wax in diesel fuel, which helps lubricate the engine/fuel pumps/etc. and extend engine life. When the temperature gets cold, this wax separates out from the other components in the fuel and clogs up fuel filters and lines. It becomes a big mess. Luckily, in the upper midwest, we have this figured out. There is also #1 diesel that can be used (not recommended), and that is good down to something like -60. The fuel companies blend these 2 types of fuel throughout the winter to make sure that the fuel is adequate for the weather. The blending starts in about mid-October, then they step it up in December. In the depth of winter the diesel at the pumps would be good down to -40. The second concern is hard starting. Diesel engines are notoriously hard to start in the cold. This has been improved alot over the last several years, changes in fuel system design and better glow plugs have helped. You will have to "wait to start" when it gets cold, this is so the glow plugs have a chance to warm up the internal cylinder temperature. (I think any diesel you'd get would have glow plugs...there are other strategies for this, but in the automotive world I would expect glow plugs) Also, it would be best to plug in the block heater if its going to sit outside, which is a good idea for all engines, actually. It keeps the oil thinner, so you provide better lubrication for the engine.
2. "Dirty Diesels"
This is the #1 problem diesels face today, and it isn't even a problem. People that aren't familiar with the new diesel technology instantly think of those old diesels puffing out black smoke. This is not the case anymore, the EPA put an end to those diesels several years ago. New diesels run a particulate filter in the exhaust to control PM (particulate matter, also known as black smoke). The filter is a complex system, and it probably doesn't make sense to get into it here. Also, depending on the engine, and company's emissions strategy, new diesels can have SCR systems, to control NOx. SCR systems require a dosing of urea to reduce NOx. As far as I know, all of the companys that utilize an SCR system have it setup so you just fill up the urea tank at the time of each oil change, minimizing the inconvenience. Unfortunately, urea freezes, so they have had to use a tank heating system for engines going to northern climates. All in all, new diesel engines are regulated for emissions, so the "dirty diesel" stereotype should be dead, as any new diesel runs very clean.
3. "Noisy Diesel"
Another stereotype that comes from older engines that rattled and clanked and roared going down the road. There will still be a little more of that diesel growl compared to a gasoline engine, which is simply because you're running compression ignition, and very high compression ratios. In the past years there has been alot done to minimize the engine noise. One huge step was with the fuel system, I believe most engines sold today will be running a high pressure common rail system, which was a huge step in reducing noise. The other improvement is simply from adding more noise deadening/absorbtion under the hood. I have a full size truck with a big diesel engine, and driving down the highway, you wouldn't be able to tell its a diesel, its that quiet. Its louder at startup and under accelleration, but not as loud as they used to be. I would imagine a car would be even less noticable.
4. Lack of filling stations
I think this is a non-problem. I have never pulled into a filling station and found that they didn't have diesel. I wouldn't worry about it.
5. Engine availability
The choices when it comes down to buying a diesel vehicle are very limited. The US is not seen as a good market for diesel cars, so companies don't bother with expensive development projects to develop ratings for US emissions standards. The big 3 were very serious about an expanded diesel offering, but that was killed when GM and Chrysler went in the ****ter. (This really ****es me off, for reasons that some might know, but I can't say anything about it, as it is proprietary) Now they're on the hybrid bandwagon. I don't generally like VW, in fact I think they are pieces of ****, but I would still recommend the TDI, it seems to be a solid engine. Other than that, you can get full sized trucks in diesels and I don't even know if there are any other options.
Responding to the comments on engines not available in certain areas and such, I would guess that the companies had trouble meeting the emissions standards, and took a little extra time to get it figured out. The Tier 4 emissions regulations were an extremely huge hurdle that actually knocked some legendary names out of the market, because they just couldn't figure it out. :cough: CAT :cough:
I probably missed some stuff, but I have a meeting in 2 minutes, post any questions you may have.
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