Why are diesels even considered for auto use, given the good points from the gas vs. diesel article?
Autos do not get used continually at constant load, but they do tend to get used regularly — most cars are used at least several days a week. In addition, most cars are not intimate with salt water. So between those things, corrosion is much less of an issue. See also my earlier note about bus diesels — one that has low hours over many years is often okay. Diesels work “okay” for stop-and-go use and they are more efficient. Gasoline engines are actually pretty poor in stop-and-go use; I have heard (but not heard substantiated) that for a typical car, most of the important engine wear happens when the engine is cold: poorly-atomized cold gasoline spews in to the cylinders, washes away lubricant and rapid wear ensues until the oil pressure comes up enough (and the oil warms up enough) to relubricate the cylinder walls and valve guides. The thing the boat guy mentions as the biggest problem for diesels is extended idling at low internal temperatures. Careful engine controls (reduced coo
