I have often heard that diesels are preferred for longer trips and gasoline engines for shorter trips. The reason is probably cost: diesel engine costs more, but the running costs are somewhat lower due to the higher efficiency.
However, if fuel and purchase costs are not a consideration, but longevity and maintenance costs are, which engine type is better for short trips? Let's leave electric cars out of this comparison, as they would be the clear winner.
I can identify at least these factors that favor gasoline for short trips:
- Gasoline engines don't need occasional long drives for regenerating the particulate filter
- In cold, using the glow plugs and spinning up the high compression ratio engine uses more electricity, meaning the battery on a diesel car won't necesarily be fully recharged during the short trips
And these factors that favor diesel:
- If driving short trips, fuel is going to be mixed with the motor oil, and diesel fuel has better lubricating properties than gasoline
- Diesel engines don't need cold start enrichment like gasoline engines do
Are there any other factors which favor a certain engine type for short drives?