Is there a Diesel or Gas break point?
I'm strongly considering upgrading to a 250/2500 or larger truck and I was wondering if there is break point where diesels just make more sense than gas. I know that as a rule diesels are better at p...
Forum Discussion
jerem0621 wrote:donn0128 wrote:
Diesel costs more to maintain is an old wives tale. Modern diesels with the exception of fuel and oil are no more expensive to run than a gas motor. While diesels dont like idling around town on the highway they are a joy to drive. There are a few gas motors now that are rated to tow heavy, diesels are still way more capable of handling heavy loads.
This is only accounting for oil and filter changes.
Diesels have SUBSTANTIALLY higher maintenance costs including the following that you will have to address if you keep your truck long enough.
* Expensive injectors (routine wear item)
* Expensive HPOP, Fuel Pumps, Lift Pumps etc.
* Expensive Batteries X2
* Expensive particulate filters that will need to be replaced at some point.
If you only keep your truck 1 - 3 years and buy new you will not notice these added maintenance costs
But someone who keeps their truck for years will have to cross paths with these.
And, I consider all of these routine wear items on a diesel vehicle.
Thanks!
Jeremiah
my 04 duramax is at 192K miles. well past 1-3 years!!!!
injector- nope, all balance rates are well within spec's
haven't had any fuel pump issues
yup, two batteries instead of one. It's on it's second set of batteries, a whole extra $75 from a gasser, WOW broke the bank!
maintenance so far- factory recomended stuff for filters, oil, lube etc.
repairs to date- Zip, Zero, Nada......
Oh, and I'm not on my second set of spark plugs a gasser would be on. That offsets the spendy extra battery.
Neighbor has a ford scorpion diesel with 200K, still no issues with the DPF.
yes, my new denali does use DEF, a whole $10 every 5K miles. more than offsets any difference in fuel costs.
My 2015.5 Denali is only at 45K miles. time will tell
the difference in overall maintenance costs gas vs. diesel IMHO is well into the noise compared to fuel costs, insurance, depreciation, etc. etc. and well down the priority list on the decision process.
decide which best fits YOU specific needs, then pick the brand/size of truck that YOU like the best. IMHO today the big 3 are all extremely capable and decision is more personal preference of what you like than brand.
