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doc-robc wrote:

What's a Jetta diesel get on the highway? Are there any other small cars available with a diesel?

The upcoming model is expected to get over 50 mpg. Diesel cars have disappeared from US shores for the most part due to emissions. With the US finally getting ultra low sulfur diesel next year and advances in emissions (like BlueTec), VW and Mercedes will be offering more models starting next year. There's also the plus of using biodiesel (which may void the warranty, use with caution).

Which does bring up the other hybrid plus (though available on several conventional vehicles if you live in CA, NY, MA, ME or VT) - much cleaner emissions. So the amount of pollutants spewed into the atmosphere over the course of a road trip will be considerably less.

They've gotten better, and are legal in most states. But it's been more difficult. The new 2.0TDI coming out next year is even cleaner - clean enough to be sold in CA and the other states that use CA emission standards. It's also more powerful and even more efficient than the 1.9.

Part of the problem wasn't the engines, but the fuel. Europe has had low-sulfur diesel for years. It's just becoming available in the US. But compare diesel emissions to a low-emission gas engine and they are still dirtier. Hopefully biodiesel will become more available. It's renewable and carbon neutral.

In addition to better fuel economy, diesels usually last longer, are cheaper for tune-ups (no sparkplugs) and have gobs of torque at low rpms. They can be difficult to start in cold weather. They're also no longer stinky or noisy, though getting past that perception may be difficult. Unfortunately it's also not always easy to find diesel fuel as many fuel stations in residential areas don't carry it.

wellfleation wrote:

Fried Chicken wrote:

Or even better still:
Motorcycle

My friends bike gets under 30 mpg.

That's what a 1-liter bike w/a testosterone filled rider will do.
Otherwise there is something wrong w/the bike.  I get 70 mpg, or 60, depending on how I ride.

doc-robc wrote:

What's a Jetta diesel get on the highway? Are there any other small cars available with a diesel?

In the U.S. the jetta is the only one.  You could always go mercedes   But that's borderline small.
As for highway mileage, I think you could easily get over 50 if you know what you're doing.

Tallgeese, it's a little of both actually. And biodiesel fuels, while better, produce more NOx than traditional diesel.

As for diesel, I don't think any diesels can be sold new in CA at present.

sulfur = acid rain

Gurlugon wrote:

So, you get 15 MPG in an Explorer? Isn't that a bit low, even for an Explorer?

My 98 V8 Explorer got 15-16 in everyday driving, and would shoot up to 20+ for long highway trips.  I just wish the rest of the car hadn't been such a basket case.

Drive better.

How do you people live with such bad mileage?
The volvo V6 we have gets 20 mpg in town... and that's appalling...
so appalling it convinced me to get a 70 mpg motorcycle

I recently took a Prius from the company's motor pool on a 600 mile road trip.  It was a pleasant, reasonably comfortable car.  Had good interior room and enough power to be perfectly fine in the mountains.  With two people aboard and moderate luggage we got 50 mpg with the A/C on.  Travelled about 65 the whole way.

Nice solid little car but being a Toyota wasn't really "fun";  more of an appliance, really.

Well, after more thought and troubleshooting, I am leaning more towards the throttle position sensor or the temperature sensor.  That sets the "choke" in fuel injected vehicles.  When the engine is cold, it pumps more fuel.  The TPS tells the computer where the throttle plate is so it can adjust the fuel flow accordingly.  Either that or the fuel system has issues.  I guess I'll start with the sensors and go from there.

Orion wrote:

Well, after more thought and troubleshooting, I am leaning more towards the throttle position sensor or the temperature sensor.  That sets the "choke" in fuel injected vehicles.  When the engine is cold, it pumps more fuel.  The TPS tells the computer where the throttle plate is so it can adjust the fuel flow accordingly.  Either that or the fuel system has issues.  I guess I'll start with the sensors and go from there.

My tps went out on my Ford F150. smurfer missed like a son-of-bitch! Good call. The tps going bad is a great theory. I wasn't sure of the year of the vehicle and if it was Fuel Injected or if it had a carburetor, otherwise I probably wouldn't have suggested it anyway because it completely slipped my mind!