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Diesel cars are not a popular choice in the US. In fact, only 3% of motorists in the US drive one. By comparison, over 50% of drivers in Europe opt for the fantastic fuel economy and environmental benefits of a diesel vehicle.

So, if you are thinking about coming down to see us at Sherry Chrysler and picking yourself out a new car, truck, or SUV, here are some fantastic reasons that you should choose one with a diesel engine!

Fuel Economy

There was a time when you could sell a diesel vehicle on the fact that diesel fuel was so much cheaper than gas. These days, the cost at the pump for diesel tends to be the same or even more than regular gas.

This parity of price tends to trick people into thinking that diesel and gas cars cost the same to run, but the truth is that a diesel car can be up to 33% more fuel-efficient than one running on petrol. The exact increase in fuel efficiency depends on the model of car, but diesel has a few added benefits that make it a more efficient fuel than gas:

• Diesel fuel has a higher energy density than gasoline, meaning that diesel produces more combustible potential for a lower volume of fuel.
• Because of that greater energy density, diesel is combustible as opposed to gasoline, which is only flammable. This means no spark is required to ignite diesel, just pressure, and heat.
• Diesel also has a low evaporation rate. Gasoline evaporates at room temperature, meaning that some of its energy-releasing potential is lost while it is sitting in your fuel tank.

Greater Resale Value

When most of us purchase a new vehicle, we are not looking to keep the same vehicle for life, so the resale value should be a consideration when choosing a model and engine type.

As a general rule, diesel cars tend to hold a greater resale value than gasoline ones and are less prone to price depreciation. This is especially important when it comes to leasing a car as that lack of price depreciation can make a diesel car a more attractive lease option.

Lowered Overall Costs

The initial cost of purchasing a diesel vehicle is higher than a gas equivalent because of the greater price at the pump and the higher overall cost of vehicles with a diesel engine.

However, over a 3-5 year period, the total cost of ownership can be as much as $2,000 to $6,000 less than a gasoline-equivalent when factors such as fuel costs, resale value, and operating costs are brought into play.

Increased Operating Life

While the exact number changes depending on the model of vehicle and use, a diesel engine can be expected to run for around 350,000 miles over its lifetime. This is 150,000 miles more than the 200,000 miles that the average gasoline engine runs for.

There are a couple of reasons for this:

• Because it is technically a light fuel oil, diesel engines are essentially self-lubricating. Gasoline actually works to strip lubricants away from engine parts.
• Diesel engines run on direct fuel injection. They do not need spark plugs and combustion takes place directly in the cylinders using the heat of compressed air.

Greater Torque

Diesel engines are most commonly associated with trains and industrial or farming vehicles and part of the reason for that is the greater amount of torque they produce.

Part of this is because of the greater energy density that diesel has. Each gallon of diesel is capable of producing 147,000 BTUs of thermal energy compared to just 125,000 BTUs per gallon for gasoline.

Because diesel engines use compressed air to ignite the fuel, they also have a longer piston stroke, which also generates more torque. So, if you are looking for a working vehicle that produces the torque you need to do a lot of heavy towing or navigating broken road surfaces, then a diesel engine is a great choice.

Better for the Environment

With climate change become more of a visible issue, more and more drivers are looking for a more environmentally friendly option. Huge steps have been made in creating both gasoline and diesel fuels that give off lower emissions, but diesel fuel still holds the edge because of its greater fuel efficiency and significantly lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Outside of the vehicle, the refining process of gasoline is much more intensive than that used to create diesel fuel, using for more energy and producing a greater density of emissions.

Overall, modern fuel-efficient diesel engines offer a much more environmentally friendly option that a gasoline engine.

A Huge Range of Diesel Options

At Sherry Chrysler, we have a huge range of excellent diesel engine options for you to choose from. So, if you are looking for a high-quality diesel vehicle for sale in Ohio, come and visit us at Sherry Chrysler, 8645 North County Road 25A, Piqua, Ohio 45356, and let us introduce you to the benefits of driving a diesel!