I have noticed lately, and I don't think it is just coincidence, that in stop and go traffic, the car behind me will sometimes leave a few car lengths between me and him/her. I guess they don't like the smell of diesel exhaust. (Go figure ) So I got to thinking that I should be less likely to be rear ended in stop and go traffic by someone who is not paying attention - as in being on their cell phone, day dreaming, putting on makeup, etc.

Anyway, this may be a hidden and previously little understood benefit of driving a diesel.

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85 300D 75K Anthracite Grey 0-60 in 13 seconds **For Sale**
84 300D 333K Black (The Velveteen Rabbit) 0-60 in 14 seconds
00 Toyota Sienna 208K (Sold)
15 Subaru Outback 43K
11 Subaru Outback 67K
98 Ford Taurus 100K (Gertie - Was Grandma's - drove it to church and shopping - really) Daughter's car now.
30 Model A Ford 2 Door Sedan (Sold) 0-60 in . . . Never reached 60

I have noticed that too. Maybe it has something to do with the black smoke when I shift. They always say that many accidents could be avoided if there was a little more space between cars going down the road.

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My Primary Driver - '85 300CD - 4-speed conversion, 2.47 rear, lowered, euro headlights, rebuilding (not restoring so much)

Wife's - '08 Saab Sportcombi Aero

Riding a '03 Yamaha Warrior

Yes I think you're right about that Rich. In the case of my coupe the Mad Max-type body repairs with exposed rivets and fiberlass also probably causes people to keep their distance.

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'81 300CD - 180K, cannot be killed by any conventional means
'99 Ford Escort - good MPG

Ditto that's not a bad thing eather i know my jetta stickshift diesel i had people didn't know it was they'd get right on my bumper till i downshifted and adjusted my ip pump i never had that problem anymore smoke them out lol

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2004 Infiniti G35 3.5L 6mt Coupe 73K miles 25.6mpg ytd
2001 Green Audi TT 225 AWD Roadster 71K 6sp 30.9mpg >>STOLEN<<
1982 300D Turbo 231K 120hp? 28.1mpg YTD

Maybe they think something might fall off of it and keep their distance???

People do tailgait my 99. Is usually gals driving econo-boxes it seems.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

I have noticed the same thing but I think it is because people do not want to hit and expensive car so they are more careful.
Other cars drive closer to me when I drive my Volvo.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I think they are more likely to be hit since there is only two brake lights instead of 3.

I've seen a few junkyard W123s with the back bumper pushed all the way to the fuel tank.

I have noticed people waving their hands in front of their faces as if my car is stinking. When they pass me I simple get an ugly face from them. On the interstate, when I get on it and a large cloud of black smoke puffs out I notice that they immediately get off my tail and back off....

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1993 300D 2.5L 240,000+ miles

People do seem to follow farther away but it doesn't seem to reduce rear-endings....I've been sideswiped once, and rear ended once....only the sideswipe did any damage. I had only been driving for 3 weeks when I got rear ended by an infiniti (big) sedan, smashed his lights, grille, and hood badly, I had a small green scuff. My dad has been rear ended badly and had to have it pulled back out. (but it lived $550 later) Hit and run too. So many stupid people out there....

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)