diesel maintenance questions

[plasticmaster]

I'm considering the 2014 Ram 1500 diesel, but I've never had a diesel before. Besides pumping diesel into it instead of gasoline, what are the differences with maintenance and upkeep? What about the cost of maintenance and upkeep vs. gas? I currently drive a 2000 Silverado 5.3L V8. Thanks.

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

The 2014 Cummins holds 13 quarts of oil not 8 and you need to add DEF using the SMALL filler with the GREEN cap! Never add DEF to the main fuel tank! My bad didn't catch he is looking at the 1500. Sorry about that.

Your oil change intervals are longer so the cost difference is a wash. No tune ups like gas engines so you save there. Engine life is 500K min if you don't maintain it. If you take care of her diesels can and do run up to and beyond a million miles. You will never see that with a gas engine!

Don

[naturist]

I would point out there is a reason the 18 wheelers are all diesels: $$$$. Specifically cost per mile. If fuel and maintenance for gassers were less, they'd all switch in a heartbeat. Truck companies are driven by the bottom line. Period.

[N-Trouble]

Coming from a gas 2500HD to a 2012 Duramax I believe the whole diesel maintenance thing is entirely overblown. Other than an additional 4qt of oil every change and a few gallons of DEF fluid every 5-6K miles there really is no difference. The ease of towing and improved mileage far outweigh any additional maintenance IMO.

[chevor]

Good for you. I have gelled up, its not fun to have a truck that won't start on the side of the road at temps below -30.

What resale value?

[kaydeejay]

edbehnke wrote:
differences?
cost about $5-8K more -Most of which you get back on resale
oil changes more expensive - But at double the distance. You do need to factor in the cost of fuel filter every 15K or so.
fuel costs anywhere from .50-1.00 more Depends on where you live and travel. Difference is 5c to 8c right now in SE Michigan
Mileage will be "a little" better At 12-13mpg I get approximately 50% better than folks pulling similar size and weight get with their gassers

And then there's the big grin on your face when you cruise up that 6% grade without downshifting or losing more than 1mph!

I take it you DON'T drive a diesel?

[srt20]

I've never gelled up. I don't use anti gel products either. Live in Wisconsin, and truck has started in -35f* air temps.

There is so much BS on this forum about gassers and diesels it's pathetic. A lot of Internet mechanics, that in real world couldn't change a spark plug or glow plug. I suggest doing your research elsewhere.

If you want weight police, then this is the perfect forum.

[naturist]

Be sure to take advice on this score ONLY from folks who actually own a diesel. Gasser owners without experience can be full of myths.

I own the same 2.8 liter I4 engine @Choochooman has. Relative to the gas option for the same vehicle, the fuel takes me about 30% farther while costing 10% to 20% more per gallon.

Put another way if gas is $3.50 a gallon, diesel breaks even at $4.55 a gallon.

Diesels usually last longer. Maintenance has pluses and minuses. DEF is cheap, but you do have to use it. It costs $3-$9 a gallon, but that gallon will probably go 10,000-15,000 miles in that vehicle.

Needless to say, your mileage will vary. The one thing we can say for sure is that you will really like the torque. My 2.8 liter Jeep produces 335 ft-lbs of torque, the 3.0 liter in the RAM puts out about 420 ft-lbs, which is plenty for dragging around a trailer.

And should you drag that trailer over I-70 west of Denver, the climb to 11,000 teet will be much more enjoyable because you'll still have full power while the non-turbo cars around you are feeling altitude sickness.

[chevor]

Your truck is a new design. Not sure what problems you'll encounter. Diesel trucks tend to be over built with conservative factory settings but with a light duty diesel things could be a lot different.

[mbutts]

On the Ram's diesel, you'll have an eight quart oil change, need to buy diesel exhaust fluid every 10,000 miles-ish. You'll have to figure out if you really need fuel additives (I put cetane booster and fuel system cleaner with every fill up). I had no gelling issues even with this most recent really stinkin' cold winter since the filling stations use winter blend fuel in the cold months.

[ChooChooMan74]

It is all about the same. I own the little cousin to the V6 3.0, the I4 2.8. For the size of the motor, it pulls pretty good. I am still on the fence on whether I want to upgrade to the 1500 with the VM or the 2500 with the Cummins. I just want a little more truck.

Good place to ask questions will be at a forum I am on, www.ram1500diesel.com

[sharker6]

Diesel fuel can jell in the fuel filter when it gets below zero, so you need to use an additive. Maintenance and upkeep are about the same. I only use a Ford dealer that has a certified diesel mechanic to do any work. Diesel is well worth any small extras your need to pay.

[edbehnke]

differences?
cost about $5-8K more
oil changes more expensive
fuel costs anywhere from .50-1.00 more
mileage will be "a little" better