What are the differences between petrol and diesel fuel?

Question

What are the differences between petrol and diesel fuel?

Answer 1

Diesel is a heavy oil fuel, very similar to parafin, or home heating oil, with a low flash level. Petrol is much more refined with a very high flash level, ie it ignites much faster. Petrol will go 'off' after about 10 days and its flash point will reduce.

Answer 2

Petrol is refined with a higher octane level, and is the lighter end of the refining process. It also gives off a vapour which gives it the flash point.

Diesel is distilled somewhere in the middle of the refining process.