Sweet! BMW 318 TD makes 60mpg

[macphanatic]

Federal law required the sale of ultra low sulfur diesel starting 1/1/07. Companies are having some issues meeting the emissions aspects with the new diesels though.

[Seacrest]

nevermind.

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/sedan...-3-series/

[Bill in NC]

New 50-state approved VW diesels are back by next May.

Previous VW diesels were 45-state approved (not sold new in CARB states)

Other manufacturers (Honda) mostly seem to be saying 50-state approved diesels in 2008 (model year 2009).

IIRC, the issue is NOx emissions with diesels (as with any lean-burn engine)

The new fuel allows catalytic converters to change NOx to nitrogen (high level of sulfur poisons the catalyst)

>we could once again purchase diesel cars

[Pat]

ULSD was @ the pump 9/06 in California, 10/06 rest of the country. Production started early in '06, though some markets (BP/ARCO stations in California for example) have been dispensing ULSD for several years. Though only 80% of on-road diesel produced is required to be ULSD until 2010, almost all diesel being produced is ULSD since they are not going to run two production lines. There still are some stations with LSD, but they are few and far between.

It's not sulphur emissions, it's the particulate matter produced by the sulphur content during combustion. California and 4 other states have already adopted the regs that will be in effect countrywide for 2010. The current on-road diesel available in the US has a lower sulphur content than that of Euro spec fuel. In addition, US emissions standards are tougher than in Europe. NOx cats and DPFs are now required in the US. Reduced emissions, yet greater cost and complexity. Mileage seems to be taking a hit also, probably because the regen process dumps excess fuel to raise egts.

[OWC Jamie]

[quote davester]My understanding is that diesels are not legal in California (and elsewhere in the US?) because US diesel fuel standards are very lax compared to european standards, which results in high sulfur emissions from US diesel. I seem to recall that US standards are supposed to improve, so that we could once again purchase diesel cars. Does anyone know if this is true?
As with gasoline Calif and Ma. emmisions requirements are extremely tight. Diesels don't meet the requirements.
U.S. requirements are actually tighter than European, why they have dirty diesels and we don't.
Engine manufacturers are working on the emmisions, and fuel suppliers are working on lower sulfer content fuel.

European countries are working on emmisions to clean up the air and also the disparity in fuel prices between countries.


We'll have diesels again.


Pat's the forum truck/diesel expert. Up to date on al the current and upcoming rule changes.

[Carnos Jax]

Interesting, I thought that a diesel-electric hybrid would have much better fuel economy than a gasoline-electric one. But then again, I do recall hearing something about how diesel have a lot of their torque in the low end of the RPM range, just like an electric motor, and so that may have something to do with the less than spectacular mileage. However, a real world improvement (assuming the 318 TD is size and powerwise a comparable car to the Prius) is something to be glad for.

[Mac1337]

If the past is any guide, just when diesels make a come back gas will go down and people have to put up with all the stuff a diesel throws at you, not the least of which is finding fuel for it.

[Jp!]

diesel is very pervasive nowadays.
And the 'stuff' in modern diesels is pretty much nonexistent.
I'm not sure how formulations or technology to prevent or reduce winter GELLING is handled now; but our 198x's diesel had very bad diesel gelling issues.

[Pat]

[quote Dakota]If the past is any guide, just when diesels make a come back gas will go down and people have to put up with all the stuff a diesel throws at you, not the least of which is finding fuel for it.
While not every station carries diesel, I've never had a problem travelling in the SW/Pacific coast region. Usually any area where there are a lot of RVs or pickups(construction, towing, agriculture, boating, OHV) diesel should be easy to find.

Diesel has been at its current price point for some time now. The only reason it is cheaper now is that it did not track up with gasoline prices, it basically stayed put. Before that, diesel was more expensive than premium unleaded for quite awhile. With more efficient refining processes (no more diesel as a byproduct), more involved refining/additives (ULSD) and increased demand, the days of cheap diesel are long gone.

JP,
Usually #2 and #1 are blended for winter to lower the gelling point, and consequently power and mileage. There are also ant-gelling additives, Power Service, Stanadyne, etc. As for ULSD, I don't know. I heard, no fact to back it up at this point, that the anti-gelling properties for #2 were to be handled by additives. If there is ample supply of #1 ULSD, I'm sure they will just blend like before.

[Jimmypoo]

This is exactly what I was referring to about the diesel-electric "FUTURE" which began nearly 60 years ago on choo-choo trains from GM and GE (and that's just here!).