Diesel Engines: From Past to Present

While a huge number of us drive vehicles with diesel engines, or have been in a vehicle with a diesel engine at some point or another, surprisingly few of us know a whole lot about these contraptions. But it’s always good to have at least a basic understanding of the things that we use or engage with on a regular basis. So, let’s take a moment to look at the development of the diesel engine over the years!

Initial Development
The diesel engine was first developed in 1893 by Rudolf Diesel, a German engineer employed by a firm called MAN. At the time that Diesel was employed to develop what would become the diesel engine, steam engines were the main source of power used in society. Diesel studied high thermal efficiency and experimented with the use of different combustible fuels to develop a form of engine that could replace these heavy, expensive, and relatively inefficient steam engines being used across the world. A diesel engine will compress air in its combustion chamber, which elevates the air’s temperature. This temperature will be so high that atomised diesel fuel will ignite immediately when injected into the combustion chamber.

Features of Diesel Engines
Diesel engines tend to be renowned for the following traits:

• The engine uses highly compressed hot air as means of ignition rather than using a spark to ignite fuel
• The engine uses heavy fuel

Diesel Engine Statistics
Diesel engines really have stood the test of time and are still in use today. They tend to be more prevalent in European countries, with countries such as the UK having 50% diesel vehicles on the roads, and countries like France having a prevailing 66% of its vehicles using diesel engines.

Tackling Problems with Diesel Vehicles
If you have a diesel vehicle yourself, you will have to take care of it in a slightly different way to a petrol vehicle. If problems arise with your car, you should always use a professional who is familiar with diesel engines, such as a specialist in Diesel Truck Mechanics. This will help to guarantee that your car gets the care that it needs to stay in good condition for the foreseeable future.

Using the Right Fuel
When you own a diesel vehicle, you need to remember to use the right fuel in your car. Filling a diesel engine with petrol will cause breakdowns and problems that can be costly to rectify. It is also recommended that you use a high-quality fuel. Most gas stations will give you two options – a low cost economy diesel and a higher cost higher quality diesel. Whenever possible, try to opt for the higher quality one. It’s worth the investment.

Hopefully, this has given you a little more insight into how diesel vehicles have developed, how they have managed to stand the test of time, and what you can do to ensure your own diesel vehicle is always in good condition!