The debate between petrol (gasoline) and diesel cars is old.
Which fuel is better for the environment? Which costs less? Which one has a more extended range with a single tank of fuel? These are questions you may have when renting a car, especially if it is a long-term rental.
Both petrol and diesel have advantages and disadvantages, but which is right for you?
Here we'll explore the pros and cons of petrol versus diesel cars, so you can make an informed decision when choosing a car.
Understanding petrol and diesel cars
Whether we are talking about gasoline or diesel cars, they use a thermal engine based on internal combustion, with combustion fueled by fossil fuels.
Basically, both engines use the same principle: generating motion by burning fuel in some cylinders. But the difference comes in the fuel properties, timing, and engine design level.
The advantages of a petrol car
Gasoline engines compress a mixture of fuel and air, and the moment the compression reaches the maximum level, this mixture is ignited by a glow plug. Finally, the explosion of the mixture generates the movement of the engine and, by implication, that of the car.
More specifically, in the case of a gasoline car, it is taken from the tank, combined with air, and the mixture is introduced inside the pistons, through the carburetor, in the case of older engines, or the injectors, in the case of newer engines.
The function of the ignition and starting system is to ignite the gasoline-air mixture inside the pistons using an electric spark produced by a glow plug, which draws current from the battery.
The main advantages of the petrol engine are:
- Acceleration - vehicles have superior acceleration performance due to the rapid ignition and burning of gasoline.
- The quiet engine - the petrol car can start at a significantly lower rev level than a diesel, and generally, it is driven at lower revs.
- Rapid heating - since gasoline burns very quickly, the engine warms up immediately and operates in optimal parameters from the first minutes of operation.
The advantages of a diesel car
If the gasoline engine compresses a mixture of fuel and air combined in the same chamber, in the case of the diesel engine, it must be remembered that the fuel and air are supplied separately.
So, first, the air is introduced into the piston, which is compressed and heated to a temperature of 700-800 degrees Celsius, after which diesel enters the combustion chamber under pressure and ignites spontaneously.
- Fuel efficiency - diesel is a more efficient fuel; after warming up the engine, it will run with approximately 30% less fuel than a petrol engine.
- Long service life - diesel engines are known to have a long service life and can reach 500,000 km without major problems.
- The power - the diesel engine offers superior performance regarding torque and towing capacity, ideal for heavy machinery and machinery or for increased loads.
Disadvantages of a petrol car
In addition to the advantages presented, the gasoline engine also has some disadvantages:
- Higher consumption - the rapid and incomplete fuel burning due to engine design and breakdowns that occur over time- makes petrol cars notorious for higher consumption than diesel cars.
- Short lifespan - unlike diesel engines, petrol engines are known to have a shorter lifespan experiencing various major breakdowns, especially after 150,0000 km.
- High oil consumption - this disadvantage is not peculiar to gasoline engines, but given the fact that they are less resistant than diesel ones, along with the breakdowns, the oil consumption begins to increase considerably.
Disadvantages of a diesel car
When it comes to diesel engines, the most common disadvantages are:
- Pollution - although more powerful and efficient, diesel pollutes more, especially when it comes to exhaust.
- Heavy heating - the diesel engine heats up relatively hard, and the superior performance of gasoline is recorded on long roads, which is why it is contraindicated for urban use with short trips.
- Noise - due to running at a higher rev level, the diesel engine is noisier.
Rent a car with Rincars diesel or petrol
With Rincars, you don't have to go through so much trouble. Our cars are new, equipped, and well maintained so that you will not feel the difference between the two fuel types.
With Rincars, you can rent a car in perfect technical condition, which you can pick up directly from Bucharest Otopeni Airport.
Additional benefits include:
- road tax
- free cancellation
- Free seasonal tires
- free child seat
RINCARS Rent a car Bucharest is a car rental company in Bucharest and offers car rental services at the most attractive prices. The company has been an active provider of car rental services for 10 years, running a successful business with which customers are very satisfied and recommend the services to friends and acquaintances.