Forum Discussion
rhagfo
Sep 24, 2013Explorer III
wintersun wrote:
......
The biggest difference with the new diesel engines is the need to change the oil and filter more often and to use twice as much oil with each change. Overall not a big difference.
Diesel is also more of a problem in very cold weather with the potential for fuel gelling (worse with today's bio fuels) and longer warm up time. Fuel economy is at its best when doing heavy hauling or towing or at freeway speeds, and at its worse for short trips and around town driving.
I get better mileage of course with my 2011 Duramax diesel but with the higher purchase price for the truck and the higher cost of diesel fuel my breakeven point is after more than 200,000 miles.
But for dealing with heavy loads the diesel engine's torque and engine braking are exceptional benefits. Just don't try to rationalize the decision as so many people feel compelled to do. No free lunch in effect.
Used diesels are another story altogether and for the price on the used truck market they don't offer much in the way of value for their new owners. Some people get luckly but many do not and repairs on most diesel engines are a great deal more expensive than with a V-8 or V-10 gas engine.
The 2013 Cummins has a 15,000 standard oil change interval, and a 7,500 mile severe service interval.
One just needs to pay attention to normal maintenance, and use good quality fuel and oil filters.
About Travel Trailer Group
44,027 PostsLatest Activity: Mar 06, 2025