How clean is "clean diesel"?

[NewJeffCT]

In researching cars, I saw the VW Jetta TDI, which has the new "clean diesel" technology. In the past, diesel engines were loud and they also gave off noxious fumes, but basically ran forever. However, it seems like a pretty good package overall for the car and it's 42mpg on the highway. But, how clean is it really?

Anybody know much about them?

Thanks

[TreasonousBastard]

1. Diesel fuel has been reformulated to be low-sulfur for reduced NOx, and...

modern diesel engines do reduce the smoke and nastiness of the old ones. Quieter, too. They cost more than gas models, and the fuel costs more, too, so it's up in the air what savings you would see. Check if using biodiesel in the TDI voids the warranty. Biodeiesel can be cheap, but not if it blows your engine.

A lot of people are afraid of VWs because of perceived quality problems, but the people I know who actually own VWs are happy with them. All the VWs I've driven were built rock solid.

[Mr. Ected]

2. In Europe, diesel fuel actually costs less than regular unleaded

Only in America are we penalized for using diesel.

[NewJeffCT]

4. It used to be less here in the US

until gas prices started skyrocketing under Bush - and, diesel jumped ahead of regular unleaded during that process. I know a lot of truckers were very unhappy with Bush over that.

[MajorChode]

5. There's lots of reasons why diesel is more expensive today

There is no penalty other than the federal fuel tax on diesel is 6 cents more, but it's been that way for a very long time. Diesel is also effectively subsidized in Europe because the tax on diesel is much lower than the tax on unleaded gas in most countries. In the UK where the tax is the same for both, the price of diesel is higher. In the US where the fuel tax is based mostly on the cost of maintaining roads and not so much on maintaining the public transportation system, the tax is much lower. So if you want to talk 'penalties', Europeans are penalized much more for all auto fuels, although the characterization of 'penalty' is not really accurate. The dynamics of supply and demand are not the same in the US as compared to Europe. Which is part of the reason why the price differential between diesel and unleaded has swapped in the last few years. The swap to low-sulfur diesel also played a part.

[NewJeffCT]

3. When I was younger

VW had a reputation of having electrical problems in their cars - but, that was back in the 80s and early 90s.

[david13]

6. Check EPA or AQMD or CARB. They may have statistics. They

keep an eye on those things.
But you raise a good point.
dc

[DainBramaged]

7. Would you stand in a room and breathe 'clean diesel'?

Clean coal, clean diesel, the only thing clean is your wallet.

[NewJeffCT]

8. I wouldn't do that with a regular car, either

but, is clean diesel cleaner than a car with a gas engine?

[OmahaBlueDog]

9. I had a DIesel from 88-92, an I have one now

The exhaust smells a lot less "diesely" now, if that makes any sense.

[NewJeffCT]

10. Yes, it does

old diesel is pretty foul smelling.