tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800828841873738105.post2355973083815609297..comments2023-07-02T06:58:33.737-05:00Comments on WebberEnergyBlog: These Diesel Prices Are Killing Me (but I’m still doing alright)!Michael E. Webber, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12416546342365493633noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800828841873738105.post-51996527858059931852008-04-05T17:03:00.000-05:002008-04-05T17:03:00.000-05:00Yeah, any synthetic should last that long, but you...Yeah, any synthetic should last that long, but you should perform oil analysis if you run past the normal interval (to check for engine wear, iron levels, etc..). You could essentially keep the same oil and just replace the oil filter every now and then.<BR/><BR/>TDI is designed for 10k changes, but you can get by with much longer. <BR/><BR/>Smart uses Premium.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800828841873738105.post-81532616554623335842008-04-05T16:55:00.000-05:002008-04-05T16:55:00.000-05:00If you use a good synthetic oil, there's no reason...If you use a good synthetic oil, there's no reason any engine can't go for more than 10k miles. I'd count that as part of maintinence.<BR/><BR/>For comparison, I've gotten an average of ~$0.15/mile in my mustang since it got out of the break-in period (fuel averaging $2.87). I don't run premium though. I didn't think the fortwo needed that.Tom Dysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01080117957240456492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800828841873738105.post-82161499690390026302008-04-05T13:52:00.000-05:002008-04-05T13:52:00.000-05:00Emissions are definitely important, weren't includ...Emissions are definitely important, weren't included in my 'analysis'. If we're looking strictly at emissions, my car loses to gasoline and hybrids in terms. New diesels coming out will actually perform as well as or better than gasoline cars in terms of CO2.<BR/><BR/>TDI has 10k oil changes also. Add a bypass filter and it'll go +20K.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800828841873738105.post-63315036051475357702008-04-05T12:29:00.000-05:002008-04-05T12:29:00.000-05:00Good points... but what about the changes in amoun...Good points... but what about the changes in amount of different pollutants being emitted from your tailpipe? Is diesel really better, or is this a paper vs plastic argument? We should put a cost on these emission externalities and see what the total price turns out to be. <BR/><BR/>Oh, and per your input, I ran these same numbers on my SMART... $0.087/mile at the current price of premium gasoline (conservative... I used mileage for only city driving, when I'm not worrying about how fast I accelerate). <BR/><BR/>So now comes the question... How much are the extra two seats in your car worth? Should I get a bonus because I can park in teenie parking spots? Does that fact that I only change my oil every 10k miles affect the price? What other items should be included in the true "cost" of running a car?Melissa C. Lotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16347484050506365524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800828841873738105.post-30874346438222045432008-04-05T10:35:00.000-05:002008-04-05T10:35:00.000-05:00Considering that the engine will run a lot longer ...Considering that the engine will run a lot longer compared to an equivalent gasoline engine, and that the premium on the car wasn't that much higher than a gas one, it's not too bad. I plan on running this car till it dies, so I'm expecting that the sturdier construction of the engine will benefit me.<BR/><BR/>I bought the car used, so a little bit of the premium was passed on to me, but I still think the payback is within a few years - very reasonable. This also without any calculations to back up what I'm saying, heh. From what I've read, it's more reasonable than some of the payback times for hybrids.<BR/><BR/>Insurance costs didn't change much from the Camry. <BR/><BR/>All good points.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800828841873738105.post-12612672066613303602008-04-04T22:32:00.001-05:002008-04-04T22:32:00.001-05:00I mean Jetta.I mean Jetta.Tom Dysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01080117957240456492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800828841873738105.post-38391546867324255042008-04-04T22:32:00.000-05:002008-04-04T22:32:00.000-05:00I bet that the Jetta costs more to insure and cost...I bet that the Jetta costs more to insure and costs more to maintain, in addition to costing more to start. So, are you really still coming out ahead? And if so, how many years will it take you to recoupe the cost of the diesel?Tom Dysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01080117957240456492noreply@blogger.com