Re: Milage

"Steve Lusardi" <stevenospam@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:fsb4v1$uv9$00$1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Nunya,
> I think you got your math wrong. There is absolutely no way in hell that
I 
> will EVER own another gasoline driven vehicle. Fuel economy is one of
the 
> lowest elements of the "Total Cost of Owner****p" (TCO). I do agree that 
> using a 3.5 ton truck to get groceries is improper use of the vehicle. 
> That's not my point. The fact that US auto makers are not offereing 2 &
3 
> Liter diesels is the problem. The Europeans have it correct. On another 
> point, sulpher in the fuel does not help an engine and it is not a 
> lubricant. Sulpher in all oil is the main contributer to the formulation

> of sulpheric acid, which ac***ulates in the lube oil because of water 
> condensation that occurs every time the engine crosses the dew point.
This 
> is what corrodes the oil. There are far more diesels in use in Europe
and 
> the fuel there has been sulpher free for a very long time with
absolutely 
> no ill effects. The small diesel vehicle in Europe consistantly see 
> mileage like 60 MPG regularly. Remember, engine wear goes up with engine

> speed. Diesels have no air control and make their power at lower engine 
> speeds saving significant wear over the gasoline driven couterparts. The

> run onto diesels in Europe has been so profound that the governments in 
> Europe have lost serious revenue as fuel is severly taxed to the point 
> that the road tax and duties on diesels and diesel fuel have been 
> drastically increased to compensate. Please also note that diesel has
25% 
> more latent energy by volume over gasoline and if the fuel is ONLY $.50 
> more per gallon, you are still getting a super deal. After all, you pay
by 
> volume, not weight.
> Steve
>
<snip>
   the OP i was responding to was specifically about the fuel economy of 
dodge trucks.  there were no references to european diesel cars.  i
usually 
spend a month in europe every year.  it always astounds me how efficient
our 
rental cars are.  i usually rent opal turbo diesels.  the last car i
rented 
over there averaged about 55 mpg on diesel.  it was as fast as a scalded
cat 
and much more ergonomic than any american car i have ever driven.  if it
was 
available here in the u.s. i would probably purchase one.
   i will agree that diesel has much more potential than gasoline.  but in

american made full size trucks the numbers i quoted are correct.  you
cannot 
compare a european diesels stats to a 3/4 ton 4x4 truck with a ***mins. 
since this is a dodge truck forum i have to work under the theory that we 
are discussing dodge trucks.  and for overall cost of owner****p the gas 
burner is cheaper for the first quarter million miles.  after that the 
diesel becomes more cost effient due to the durability of the truck. 
heavier duty components combined with a slight increase in mileage 
eventually win out but it is it is a long time before that point is
reached.
michael