If you’re on the market for a new truck, you may be considering switching to diesel from gas or vice versa. Maybe your needs or priorities have changed in regard to costs, resale value, acceleration, horsepower, towing ability, etc. You also might have heard or read something that simply isn’t true in regard to either of the options. Let’s do our best to separate fact from fiction and list the pros and cons of gas and diesel. At Continental Truck Services, our goal is always to provide the best service and leave you more informed to make the right decisions for you in regard to your vehicle.
Fuel Facts
Advantages of Diesel
– Diesel engines tend to be more efficient than gas engines.
– many drivers prefer diesel because it reduces the number of stops they’ll need to make to refuel
– Especially after 150,000 miles you should really start seeing the savings in fuel
– If you’re planning to use your truck for a long time, put a lot of miles on it, or for towing items, diesel could save you lots of money
Advantages of Gas
– Not every gas station offers diesel fuel, so gas drivers will have less trouble finding where to stop for their next refill
– Diesel fuel can sometimes be more expensive
– If you live in a colder climate, a diesel engine can be harder to start the colder it gets
Acceleration and Horsepower Facts
Advantages of Diesel
– Diesel engines tend to offer more torque. The more torque an engine produces, the greater its ability to perform work.
– As a result, diesel can often tow heavier loads in comparison to gas-powered engines of similar sizes.
Advantages of Gas
– Gas generally offers more horsepower.
– Therefore, gas-powered trucks are generally better at getting up to speed and passing other cars.
Maintenance Costs Facts
Gas trucks win! For some reason, many drivers expect diesel trucks to be cheaper to maintain since they generally have a simpler design. That simply isn’t true. Diesel truck parts like starters, alternators, water pumps, and batteries all cost more than parts for gas engines. Diesel engines employ heavy-duty and sometimes hard to find parts. Therefore, service appointments and repairs can often be pricier.
Longevity Facts
Diesel trucks win! Scientific evidence suggests that diesel engines can last much, much longer. Diesel engines have higher compression ratios and cylinder pressures than gasoline engines. Diesel engines now often run well into their 500,000-mile ranges and beyond. That’s not something you can expect from a gasoline engine.
Overall Costs Facts
Diesel-engine trucks typically cost several thousand more upfront than gas-engine trucks. The difference becomes even bigger when comparing heavy-duty trucks. As mentioned previously, service and repairs tend to be more costly because parts are more expensive. And although a gallon of diesel hovers around 30-40 cents higher than octane, diesels do have an advantage in fuel economy, usually around 20% higher than their gasoline-powered counterparts. Additionally, diesel generally has better longevity and offers better resale value.
All these factors considered, it’s hard to say which type of truck will cost you more overall. The short answer is: it depends.
Conclusion
It all comes down to how you plan to use your truck. For those looking to use their truck for frequent, long-distance, heavy duty hauling and/or towing, diesel may well be worth it! Others may reconsider. We hope that we’ve provided you with the information you need to make the right decision.
The technicians at Continental Truck Services are highly skilled and certified to quickly and effectively fix any problem. We are here to provide top quality service at the fastest possible times. Call us today to schedule your appointment: (407) 591-6747. We are located at 9640 SIDNEY HAYES RD, Orlando, FL 32824, United States. Be safe!
