Diesels, torque and power

[bella]

Originally Posted by tristancliffe

Why do some people think there is a special technique for driving diesels. There isn't. You just work with a lower rev range, and change gear when you have more tractive effort in the next gear than the current gear, just like a petrol. They are more tolerant of lower revs than petrols because of the low rpm torque, but that's about it, and doesn't require a change of driving technique.

already there you've gone far beyond the vast majority's understanding of how to drive a car. a lot of people who call themselves competant rag diesels senseless petrol stylee when that's simply not the best way to drive them. it takes a slight understanding of how the engine and turbo function to get the best acceleration - for example i find that unlike petrol, it's best NOT to floor the accelerator in a diesel with a turbo.