planwell

It is suggested to me to rent a diesel car in Andalucia. They are supposed to be more popular, and have better gas mileage. But the car rental agency and company sites do not specify if a car is diesel or not. How can I request for one? Will the rental rates be different?

ribeirasacra

Rates will not be different only when renting an auto you may find it a bit more.
An unscientific survey of guests who arrive with hire cars it would seem that petrol engines are coming back in vogue with the car rental companies.
Would not worry about it Just enjoy the vacation.

MyriamC

It is my experience that, if you rent for a longer period (say three weeks or more), they will give you a diesel car because it has much better mileage.
Centauro, for instance, has diesel cars - specified on their website. https://www.centauro.net/
I wouldn't say diesel cars are more popular in Spain.

WoinParis

I just don't care and take what I am given. The impact on you is negligible.
Ask yourself the question if you buy a car not rent.
But pay attention once you have the car. A gas car filled with diesel doesn't run well at all (I have tried) and gas into Diesel engine is worse.
Pay more attention to manual vs automatic.

Bedar

If you sign up for a diesel, it will be more expensive. But, when you pick up your car, they'll either give you one for no extra charge or you can ask if they have one available. Usually we're given one automatically, but the last time were given petrol and our fuel charges weren't excessive. As Riba said, just enjoy your holiday. Don't fret over this.

Christina

I don't care either, sometimes you get one and sometimes you don't, in my experience, you just have to make sure you know what you have to get the proper gas. I don't recall ever having a choice on the order form. I never drive that many miles on vacation that it makes any major difference.

MOdern cars gets excellent mileage no matter what, if you are driving a small car, which I always do. I think the most important thing is size of the car and type of transmission. Many diesel A/Ts don't get particularly good gas mileage, in fact (like BMW, Mercedes Benz). My 10 yr old Honda Civic A/T gets much better mileage than a new diesel BMW 740 AWD A/T, for example.

michelhuebeli

As others have hinted - be sure you can drive a stick shift, because automatics are rare. Let that be the item to worry over if it is a worry. Otherwise don't worry (be happy).

cdnyul

Everytime we rented a car in Spain ( AutoEurope, compact or higher class) we got a diesel.

Hint: if you get a car with a six-speed manual transmission, figure out how to find reverse gear before you leave the lot.

ribeirasacra

Again guests arrived yesterday with a petrol engined hire car. UK guests with their own car a diesel. Spanish with their own cars diesel.

MyriamC

<<My 10 yr old Honda Civic A/T gets much better mileage than a new diesel BMW 740 AWD A/T, for example>>
Apples and pears, we call that.

We drive a lot of kms when we are on holiday because we never stay in one place. Driving 3000 kms with a diesel car that consumes 3.5 liter per 100 kms vs. a petrol car that consumes 7.5 liter (our own crossover) makes quite a difference in our travel budget. Maybe you're not familiar with the gas prices in Europe!

planwell

Thanks for all the responses. Yes I drive a manual in the US. Yes, I'm aware of the higher gas price in Europe. For a week and short distance driving, there won't be that big a mileage saving with a diesel. I'll take what they give me. More car rental questions to follow.