Enjoy price discrepancy while it lasts, diesel users
Q Over the last month I’ve noticed that diesel is now cheaper than gas. Do you know why? I’m enjoying it because we have a diesel Jetta Sportswagen and RV and hope this trend lasts.
Norman Roush
Sunnyvale A Diesel is now selling for $ 3.18 a gallon on average in California, while gas was going for $ 3.43. For the past several years, diesel has been a dime or more higher as worldwide demand has been stronger than for gasoline. That enticed U. S. refiners to export diesel, which reduced the supply and drove up prices. Plus, the U. S. thirst for gas was flat during the recession.
But now the European economies are sluggish, so demand for diesel has softened. They use a lot more diesel than do we. Add in problems at three refineries, and California gas costs have surged 27 cents in the past week while diesel moved 8 cents a gallon higher.
Other factors are in play. Demand for heating oil has dropped and harvesting farm crops is months away.
“As a rule, diesel is more expensive than gasoline from October to April, then cheaper than gasoline from May to September,” said Allison- the- Gasbuddy. com- Analyst for California. QI
recently bought a 2011 vehicle from a private party. I read about the smog check requirements and concluded that since it is 4 model years old, no smog check would be required. But when I went to the DMV to register the vehicle, they insisted a smog check is required, and that it is not “four model years” but really “four calendar years.” I can only guess that they have in their records information indicating that the vehicle was purchased new in February 2011.
Tow Wang A According to the DMV, you determine the oldest qualifying year model by subtracting three from the current year. Based on how the “four or less model years” is calculated, your vehicle would have to be a 2012 model to be exempt from a smog inspection.
Q It seems that I cannot drive on our roads without having to close my car air intake to stop the obnoxious odor from large and not- always- old trucks. Now, when I see one ahead, I automatically close my vent. Why aren’t these offensive vehicles being regulated? I can’t believe their emissions aren’t harmful.
Pat Blair Pierce
Santa Clara A All diesel trucks larger than a pickup have been subject to stringent emissions regulations since 2008. Every truck that drives on a California road, even if based out of state, must comply. Diesel engines are now more than 90 percent cleaner than older versions and emit very little soot or NOX emissions. They virtually have no odor characteristic of older engines.
In the next few years this $ 8 billion conversion — mandated by the Air Resources Board and paid for primarily by the trucking industry — will be largely completed. The trucks you see ( and smell) may be on a later replacement schedule, but their days are numbered. Q How do we report smoking trucks?
Mike Marquart