For long-distance commutes, diesel engines appeal to more drivers than ever before.

With better fuel efficiency than gasoline engines, diesel engines are gaining popularity across the globe. No longer considered exclusively European, learn from Master Muffler’s Salt Lake city car repair team why more drivers are choosing diesel stateside.

The Diesel Difference

In addition to good fuel economy, diesel engines are often more powerful than their gasoline-powered counterparts. It may require a bit more initial investment, but the long-term benefits are worth it.

At the Pump

While you may see gas and diesel prices climbing and falling similarly, what you won’t see is the same mileage and power per gallon. Even if your diesel fuel costs the same as gasoline, you’ll get more miles per gallon with diesel. That will put you at the pump less frequently, which we can all agree is a good thing.

Maintaining a Diesel

Diesel engines have fewer parts than gasoline engines. This means there’s potential for less car repair since there are fewer systems to maintain. Since many diesel engines are found in heavy-duty vehicles, the parts also tend to be more sturdy, and larger, so they can pull heavier loads and endure longer drives.

Diesel engines consist of a lot of gears, rather than more delicate parts that can be found in gasoline engines. While it’s true the gears are subject to wear and may need replacing, they tend to withstand prolonged use. You won’t be bringing your car in for Salt Lake city car repairs as often if it’s a diesel, so you’ll save money on routine car repairs in the long run.

Additionally, the cooling system and oil reservoir in a diesel are larger than that in a gasoline engine. This means more efficient cooling in the engine and better lubrication. Keeping an engine cool and oiled up means it’s going to perform better and ensure less wear.

Towing Capacity

With more of us taking closer-to-home vacations, we need a vehicle with good towing capacity that doesn’t sacrifice fuel economy. A diesel engine does the trick! While you are welcome to tow your popup camper or trailer with a regular gasoline vehicle, many drivers find a diesel engine is a better choice.

Diesel engines offer more torque, increasing their towing capacity significantly. In fact, the same truck with a different engine (gas vs diesel) has been known to be able to tow up to twice as much. 

Resale Value

If you ever want to sell your diesel car or truck, its resale value may trump that of a gasoline counterpart. With trusted manufacturers such as Honda, you may be willing to purchase a used car with 100,000 miles on its engine. But that’s often a deal-breaker for many vehicles because that much mileage could mean a gasoline engine is on its way out. With a diesel, the engine might hit 1,000,000 miles before needing serious attention. There’s a reason why you see trust ol’ farm trucks still running after 30 years!

Are Diesel Engines Noisy?

If you’ve ever had a neighbor with a big diesel truck, you’re probably familiar with the noisy routine of hearing the engine start early on a cold morning. In the past, diesels were known for being extra loud and needing more time to warm up so you can crank on the heater in winter. However, thanks to improved technology, diesel engines are not nearly as jarring as they used to be. For example:

A passenger vehicle traveling at 65 mph will register about 77 decibels. In comparison, a diesel truck traveling at 65 mph registers at 88 decibels. To put that noise into perspective, a lawnmower registers 100 decibels. So while still noisier than a gasoline vehicle, a diesel isn’t as guilty of noise pollution as other engines in the neighborhood.

Best Diesel Cars of 2021

There are more domestic diesel vehicles available than ever before. You no longer have to rely on imports such as Audi, MINI, or Volkswagen to get a peppy, heavy-duty, or efficient diesel car or truck. Here are the best US-made diesel vehicles you’ll find in 2021.

Domestic Diesel Cars

Land Rover Discovery 

21 mpg  city / 26 mpg highway

GMC Yukon

21 mpg city / 27 mpg highway

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

22 mpg city / 28 mpg highway

Jeep Gladiator

22 mpg city / 28 mpg highway

Jeep Wrangler

22 mpg city / 29 mpg highway

Chevrolet Colorado

20 mpg city / 30 mpg highway

GMC Sierra 1500

23 mpg city / 30 mpg highway

Mazda CX-5

27 mpg city / 30 mpg highway

Chevrolet Cruze Diesel

27 mpg city / 46 mpg highway

Foreign Deisel Cars

If you do love a foreign car, there are a lot of diesel options readily available in the US. Top foreign diesel vehicles include:

Mini Cooper

28 mpg city / 37 mpg highway

Audi A3 2.0 TDI

31 mpg city / 43 mpg highway

BMW 328d

32 mpg city / 45 mpg highway

Volkswagen TDI  Jetta

31 mpg city / 46 mpg highway

For Salt Lake Car repair for your diesel, contact the experts at Master Muffler today.