Will a 10 mile commute kill a diesel?

Lurker52 wrote:
I always try to let the truck warm up for 5 or 10 minutes before heading out to Wallyworld or HD. Then I putt down the street for a mlle or so to get things warmed up. I have noticed that it does take 5-10 miles for the temp gauge to reach mormal. I go slow until thing are good and warm (05 Ram CTD)

NEVER warm up a diesel. Unless you just want heat when u get in. Same with a gasser. Start engine put in gear and drive moderately for a ways and then hammer down. VW PU Diesel 300K, GM Diesel 300K, Cummins 12V 380K. A diesels combustion chamber does not get very hot unless say an exhaust brake is applied. You will cause more wear idling than driving moderately.

As far as cost of gas vs. diesel our experience, based on 10 years of ownership is that a diesel is more expensive. Last year our turbo went out and since we were out of town we had to go to a Dodge dealer. It cost us over $4000. Also due to the extra weight tires and front ends don't last as long.

We have a 2003 Dodge with the 5.9. It doesn't have any of the alphabet smog stuff the new ones have. It does not even get close to warmed up on a 5 mile drive. I don't know if (10) 5 mile commutes (to work then home) a week would cause any specific damage but I would not use my truck for this. I'd buy a small car.

Diesels are great if you need (or even want one). However based on our personal experience and what we tow our next truck will be a V-8 with either the 4.3 or 4.10 rear end.

I have a 2012 Duramax with 25K miles that I use as a daily driver. My work commute is 2.5mi which is about how long it takes to get up to operating temp. This truck takes about 2x as long to get to operating temp as my previous 6.0 gasser. I have not experienced any issues but here are my observations.

1) Fuel mileage will suck. Diesels like gas are thirst until they get up to temp.
2) Regens will come more frequenty(fewer miles between regens).

The best thing I have found in dealing with regen is getting an Edge Insight CTS monitor so that I can monitor DPF soot levels. Knowing when a regen is about to kick in can help planning for that extended trip to complete the cycle.

In my opinion the towing benefits of the truck compared to my previous gas 2500HD outweigh what I would call minor inconveniences.

I always try to let the truck warm up for 5 or 10 minutes before heading out to Wallyworld or HD. Then I putt down the street for a mlle or so to get things warmed up. I have noticed that it does take 5-10 miles for the temp gauge to reach mormal. I go slow until thing are good and warm (05 Ram CTD)

Who cares, the Cummins will last far beyond the time the vast majority will ever keep a truck. Drive it use it and enjoy it!

The newer Diesels heat up quick. I really would not worry about a 13 or 14 Cummins.

6.4L Hemi or the Cummins. Choice is yours. Either will do just fine with your 10 mile commute.

goducks10 wrote:

davisenvy wrote:
My dad has a 6.4 Powerstroke and it just left him on the side of the road because of too much oil. It turns out that if you shut the truck off in the middle of a regen, it dumps the fuel that was going to be used to burn off the soot into the engine oil. Ford dealer said it was not uncommon to see an extra 2.5-3qts of oil when they do oil changes on these engines. I can't speak for the other brands, but this is what the 2010 Powerstroke does.
Do your homework on the Dodge, GMC, or Ford forums to inquire about the ups and downs. Half that comment on these threads don't even drive diesels.
With all this being said, I'm a diesel guy and can't ever imagine driving a gasser again. There are ways around the problems with the new diesels:B

1st the 6.4 PS ain't no Cummins. 2nd if stopping the truck in the middle of a regen was going to kill it then why don't they put a regen notice in the DIC, EVIC so you know when to keep driving.

There is a regen notice in the DIC, but who has time to drive around for 15-20min every time this happens. My truck is pre emissions so I don't have to worry about this stuff. Just reporting an experience my dad had in this particular engine.

davisenvy wrote:
My dad has a 6.4 Powerstroke and it just left him on the side of the road because of too much oil. It turns out that if you shut the truck off in the middle of a regen, it dumps the fuel that was going to be used to burn off the soot into the engine oil. Ford dealer said it was not uncommon to see an extra 2.5-3qts of oil when they do oil changes on these engines. I can't speak for the other brands, but this is what the 2010 Powerstroke does.
Do your homework on the Dodge, GMC, or Ford forums to inquire about the ups and downs. Half that comment on these threads don't even drive diesels.
With all this being said, I'm a diesel guy and can't ever imagine driving a gasser again. There are ways around the problems with the new diesels:B

1st the 6.4 PS ain't no Cummins. 2nd if stopping the truck in the middle of a regen was going to kill it then why don't they put a regen notice in the DIC, EVIC so you know when to keep driving.

My dad has a 6.4 Powerstroke and it just left him on the side of the road because of too much oil. It turns out that if you shut the truck off in the middle of a regen, it dumps the fuel that was going to be used to burn off the soot into the engine oil. Ford dealer said it was not uncommon to see an extra 2.5-3qts of oil when they do oil changes on these engines. I can't speak for the other brands, but this is what the 2010 Powerstroke does.
Do your homework on the Dodge, GMC, or Ford forums to inquire about the ups and downs. Half that comment on these threads don't even drive diesels.
With all this being said, I'm a diesel guy and can't ever imagine driving a gasser again. There are ways around the problems with the new diesels:B

Think about the years in front of you. Will you upgrade (years from now) sooner with gas or diesel?