Rudolf Diesel patented the first diesel engine design 125 years ago. Since then, Americans have been operating a variety of vehicles with diesel engines, including cars.
Diesel Car Sales
In recent years, diesel car sales have been on the rise due to their fuel efficiency and other benefits, such as the diesel fuel injection systems. In 2012, diesel vehicles may have only accounted for 3.2% of car sales, but by 2018, diesel car sales are expected to double. Americans purchased 489,612 diesel cars In 2014 alone, and VM was responsible for selling more than 50% of these.
Diesel Engines and Fuel Efficiency
Diesel engines, as you may be aware, are 20% to 40% more efficient than gasoline-run engines. This is because diesel fuel has been determined to be 25% to 30% more energy-rich. A fine mist of fuel and more complete burning is created when diesel fuel injection pressures attain 30,000 pounds per square inch.
Diesel Storage Temperatures
When storing diesel fuel, it’s important to note that it is temperature sensitive. When stored at ambient temperatures above 86 degrees Fahrenheit, for example, the lifespan of diesel drops between 6 and 12 months. However when diesel fuel is stored at ambient temperatures of 68 degrees Fahrenheit, its lifespan is usually 12 months.
Issues with Common-Rail Injectors
Common-rail injectors often receive more wear-and-tear. In fact, this can be double the amount due to these injectors firing 2 to 3 times for each engine cycle.
Injector Deposits
It’s a well-known fact that deposits can cause injectors to fail. This is due to the excessive buildup that can accumulate on these machine parts. External and internal injector deposits are the 2 major types that can lead to this occurring.
Since Rudolph Diesel’s original design patent was awarded, a variety of modifications and technological advancements have been made. Given the multiple benefits of diesel-fueled engines and diesel fuel itself, it’s not surprising that more and more environmentally-aware and energy-conscious Americans are purchasing these cars.
If you’ve been thinking about buying a new car, think about a diesel. Once you start driving your new diesel car, be sure to thank Rudolf Diesel and all the other innovative thinkers that have contributed to this advancement.
