• Lifestyle
    • Your home
    • Our state
    • Member deals
    • Bushfire safety
  • On the Road
    • Car Advice
    • Road Rules
    • In focus
    • Road Safety
    • Australia’s Best Cars
  • Travel
    • South Australia
    • Interstate
    • Overseas
    • Tips
  • Competitions
  • Read the magazine

Choose your fuel: Hybrid, petrol or diesel

Which type of car should you buy?

By Andrew Clark
Last updated on: November 23, 2018 at 8:30 am

With technology hurtling forward faster than ever, the race to dominate the vehicle market is being driven by power, says RAA Technical Advisory Service expert Andrew Clark.

Petrol engines have come a long way in recent years, with some improvements challenging what was once the diesel engine’s forte.

The inclusion of turbocharging and clever fuel injection systems means new four-cylinder engines are producing the same or more power than many 6-cylinder and V8 engines from days gone by.

Manufacturers are still finding ways to get more from every last drop of unleaded, so don’t underestimate petrol power.

If you want to look to the future though, check out Adelaide’s taxi fleet – you’ll notice they’re all Prius or Camry hybrids.

Hybrids really come into their own when they’re used in the city and suburbs, where the electric propulsion is used more often.

 

Some hybrids now have a ‘full electric’ mode, so for a limited time the only source of propulsion will be provided by the electric motor, not the petrol one.

This is perfect for those slow congested traffic hauls through the city, and reduced speed limits in metro areas. Plus, they help reduce emissions.

On the open road at higher cruising speeds, the electric motor generally struggles to keep the car moving, so the petrol engine will take over.

But imagine 80% of vehicles all sitting silently at an intersection waiting for the lights to change – that’s got to be good for the environment!

Many Adelaide taxis are hybrids.

If you’ve really got your heart set on a diesel car, you’ll need to ask yourself some questions about how it’ll be used.

There’s no doubt ‘dirty diesel’ has cleaned up its act over the years, but diesel engines are still at their best when they’re working hard.

It’s why diesel engines are always found in 4WDs, utes, buses and trucks.

Some motorists might find the fuel efficiency and concept of a diesel attractive for day-to-day use, but new emission control equipment like diesel particulate filters (DPF) can become blocked if you’re only making short or infrequent trips.

This can mean extra servicing, or damage to the DPF.

Need car advice?

RAA members can call our free Technical Advisory Service for answers to their car questions.

Ask us

Or call 8202 4689

Share
Tweet

Related Articles

On the Road

10 obscure road rule questions

Do you know what side of the road to walk on if there's no footpath?

More

In focus

6 burning driverless car questions answered

Imagine it's 2027. Are six-year-olds and people who are blind ‘driving’ driverless cars?

More

Car Advice

Battle of the mid-sized bargains

See which car is our favourite.

More

Car Advice

How to select the right car seat covers

It may seem simple, but do you know what to look for in a car seat cover?

More

GPO BOX 1499 ADELAIDE 5001

T. 08 8202 4600

  • Home
  • About us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy
  • T&C
  • Advertise
  • © Copyright 2021 RAA