Chris Lett, owner of Branigans Tyres, and trusted Australian automotive specialist, highlights the important advantages of biodiesel (biofuel) and how it benefits both vehicles and the environment. Manufactured from vegetable oils, recycled restaurant grease and animal fats, biodiesel is becoming an important alternative option for vehicles. Biodiesel meets both the biomass-based diesel and overall advanced biofuel requirement of the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Rudolf Diesel, an esteemed German engineer and inventor, found major success in 1893, with the diesel engine. “Diesel stood as a firm believer in alternative fuels, with the inventor’s first automobile engine designed to run on peanut oil or a mixture of vegetable oil and diesel (crude petroleum),” says Lett. “Many vehicle-owners are not fully aware or informed thoroughly on the importance of biodiesels, thus it is crucial to understand now, especially as the world moves to becoming more environmentally conscious,” Lett adds.

There are two main identifiable types of biodiesel used in vehicles: Biodiesel and Bioethanol. Biodiesel, as mentioned, is created using vegetable materials and animal fats, whereas bioethanol is alcohol-based, created from sugarcane and corn. Both types of biodiesel provide alternatives to non-renewable crude-oil derived fuels such as petrol and diesel.

“Biodiesel is seen to be a great medium-term solution to traditional fuels. Specifically, Bioethanol is categorised as carbon neutral, with any release of carbon dioxide during production removed from the atmosphere by the crops themselves,” says Lett. “In addition, biodiesel recycles unusable waste products such as cooking oil,” Lett adds.

Biodiesel products produce remarkably fewer pollutant toxins and emissions that fossil fuels do. Australia’s energy transformation specialists, Bioenergy Australia, estimate that biodiesel potentially could cut emissions by over 85% as opposed to diesel, while bioethanol could reduce emissions to around 50%.

In terms of vehicle benefits, biodiesels are primarily advantageous due to their environmentally-friendly qualities. Less carbon emissions with a high percentage of biodiesel in blended fuels act as another major benefit as well. Some diesel vehicle owners might consider using a biodiesel product such as cooking oil as an alternative solution. However, this could cause significant damage to many cars if owners do not understand their vehicle. “Motorists interested in utilising biodiesels must do research into the compatibility of their vehicle with certain biodiesels, and contact the manufacturer to avoid serious types of damage,” says Lett.

When it pertains to sustainability, reduction in greenhouse gasses, economic positivity and top-quality engine performance, biodiesels are the way to go. Their innovation and contribution provide a whole new frontier in the preservation of current resources and the creation of planet-friendly resources that could lend a helping hand to the automotive industry.

At Branigans Tyres, Chris Lett and his team ‘go green’ and are experts in the recycled tyre business. Branigans Tyres has well-established workshops in Burleigh Heads and Southport in the Gold Coast region. Check out their full range of services or current featured promotions. Branigans award-winning affordable tyre subscriptions package start at $7.97 and help motorists budget for their ongoing tyre needs.

Vehicle owners are encouraged to drive in at their convenience as no pre-bookings or appointments are required. Branches are situated at 13 Flagstone Drive, Burleigh Heads, contact number (07) 5535 2660 or 1/277 Southport-Nerang Rd, Southport contact number, (07) 5591 8633.

Written and Syndicated by: YDMA News

Both petrol and diesel vehicles have internal combustion engines that operate using a two or four-stroke cycle. In addition, the power cycle comprises of four phases: intake, compression, power and exhaust. Though this similarity is apparent, diesel and petrol engines are quite different and each possess advantages and disadvantages.

Owner of Branigans Tyres, and Australian tyre recycler, Chris Lett, unpacks the differences between petrol and diesel engines, and potentially settles the debate about which is the superior engine in a non-competitive manner.

“The main difference between diesel and petrol engines is that a petrol engine has spark plugs, while a diesel engine depends on heavily compressed air,” says Lett. Petrol engines have a compression ratio much lower to that of a diesel engine, as petrol engines use spark plug ignition to ignite the air-fuel mixture. Diesel engines work by compressing only air at such a heavy rate, reaching about 14-23 times its original volume, thus rising the temperature to ignite the diesel fuel.

Lett discusses the advantages of petrol engines. “Petrol vehicles cost much less as opposed to their diesel counterparts, mainly because petrol fuel types are manufactured at lower costs,” says Lett. “Additionally, petrol engines are highly responsive and powerful compared to diesel engines. Petrol engines also run much smoother than diesel engines,” adds Lett. A major disadvantage of petrol engines, however, is that they require more maintenance as they tend to clog up faster. If left unmanaged, petrol engines can deteriorate faster than diesel engines.

“Known as the efficient counterpart to petrol engines, vehicles fitted with diesel engines attain greater mileage, meaning more travel time and less time refuelling. Diesel engines are built to solidly withstand high compressions of gasses with their cylinders, lasting much longer than petrol engines, and requiring less maintenance,” says Lett. Diesel engines are versatile as they can be adjusted to run on alternative and renewable fuels like Bio-diesel. Bio-diesel is used vegetable oil, recycled and intended to potentially power diesel vehicles.

A major disadvantage of the diesel engine is that it produces a particular knocking sound known as diesel clatter, a result of the spontaneous ignition of fuel, causing a pressure wave which makes the engine sound noisier. Another disadvantage is that diesel engines are heavier and not as easy as petrol vehicles to rev, thus making them an undesirable choice for sports cars. More notably, diesel engines are required to be built stronger to hold up against high gas compression, and as such become costly to manufacture, making diesel vehicles more expensive than petrol vehicles.

“All in all, both diesel and petrol engine vehicles present their own uniqueness and capabilities, while carrying the unwanted burdens of imperfection,” says Lett. Conclusively, whether a vehicle owner has a petrol or diesel engine under the bonnet, what matters is how it is maintained, and its operational capabilities.

Branigans Tyres has well-established workshops in Burleigh Heads and Southport in the Gold Coast region. and can service both petrol and diesel engines. Check out their full range of services or current featured promotions. Branigans award-winning affordable tyre subscriptions package start at $7.97 and help motorists budget for their ongoing tyre needs.

Vehicle owners are encouraged to drive in at their convenience as no pre-bookings or appointments are required. Branches are situated at 13 Flagstone Drive, Burleigh Heads, contact number (07) 5535 2660 or 1/277 Southport-Nerang Rd, Southport contact number, (07) 5591 8633.

Syndicated by: YDMA News