Diesel vs gas......................

[blt2ski]

OK folks, there have been a few to many diesel vs gas threads that have shall we say gone to "Hell and a hand basket"! So if all of you would put in you BEST, no flaming reasons for going gas vs diesel, pro and con, I will either leave your thread, or copy and paste pertinant info to the 4 posts of pro and con of diesel or gas. This can include the GM 8.1 vs Dmax or Ford V-8/10 vs PSD etc too.

Be real and honest in you answers, not hear say, flaming etc PLEASE!

If posts are good ones, I will leave, if inflamatory or trolling in nature, they will be deleted! I will get this stick'd to the top for future parusing for those that need this type of info.

Added 6-23-04

We are getting closer to answers I am looking for etc.

Stuff like Ken's - T-Bone posts are good. There are a few others of you that have not posted, some with a 9 point question and answer type to figure out how you went with one or the other. If you are one of those, PLEASE repost in this thread. I may have to look up whom has done this and PM you, but if you think this is you, you now know what to do.

Also, for those of you with $ per gallon for either fuel right now, I would prefer to see a post with ...."in my area, diesel is typically .10 less than unleaded" then explain your numbers. As currently in the Seattle area, diesel and unleaded are any where from 2.05 -2.30 per gallon, with mid test .10 more and premium about .20 more, with equal high low splits. Two weeks ago those prices were upwards of .30 -.40 per gallon more. people were posting $ per gallon that were for me. "I wish" If someone is reading your post a year from now, they may want to know where your paying 1.65, when the price of fuel is over $3 per gallon. Let's keep prices out of it if possible.

Bert and tin tipi, got into a good discusion on the pros and cons of RPM's, drive train etc. I would prefer to NOT see the quote of the other in responding threads, maybe just write a quick wording of re tranny gearing, instead of the whole 40 words or so in that paragragh, so the repsonse is shorter if possible quicker and easier to read etc.

I have deleted some 15+/- posts, that were off topic etc. Please note, I am trying to keep this at the top, as the ONLY gas/diesel thread in this area. So if one is trying to decide, we do not have to go thru this BS any more. As such, I will be deleting ANY future posts close to resembling this type of topic. I may have to change "this" title to a better one, if one has a better sounding title, to be more positive, better claification, let me know here, or in a PM/e-mail, what ever you feel most comfortible with.

Again thank you for all of you that are keeping responses positive, etc.

Also we could use a few more positive reasons to go gas, as many can see I have both gas and diesel, both have a place! Both have positive reasons to buy that fuel, lets keep the threads etc to that purpose only!

Marty

[Rvndave]

My trip to work is 20 miles each way. I travel rural roads, This was during the last 3 weeks. I am one week into the present tankful and overhead computer is reading 23 plus mpg now. The computer has never been more than 2 mpg off, and mpg reading I report on here are hand calculated. I believe the 6 speed manual, 3:73 ratio, and my driving habits help the fuel mileage. Most with the newer catalytic converter equiped engines are reporting a couple mpg loss. I am at almost 50,000 miles and the mileage will improve once an engine is broke in. Most feel the diesels take 20,000 miles or more to fully break in, I used dino oil for the 1st few oil changes to speed the break in period. I also believe the inline 6 cylinder design of the Cummins maybe a bit more stingy with the fuel.

[rvgonda]

Rvndave,

Thanks for the feedback. Can a 6-speed alone account for such a difference in fuel economy?

What time of the year was this driving as described above and how far is it to work? I also do not let mine warm up but drive off within a minute of having started the engine regardless of the temperature outside. Mine is an automatic transmission and I have roughly a 200 pound load in/on the truck - mostly the weight of the cap. My driving is on a mixture of flat and steeps for the 5 miles to work with half a dozen stoplights interspersed. My speed never exceeds 45 mph - probably averages 30 mph. This with winter temperatures is how I wound up at 11.6 mpg. I did strictly hand calculating of the mileage for the winter driving.

[Rvndave]

rvgonda wrote:

Rvndave wrote:
22 mpg running to and from work makes a diesel a no brainer for me.

When I picked up my new 2005 Silverado Duramax from the dealer on June 29, I got 20.7 mpg on the interstate in cruize control at 50 mph for the 250 mile trip home.

Reluctantly using it to commute 10 miles round trip to work for the past three months of winter with temperatures between 5-40 degrees averaging say 25 degrees, I got 11.6 mpg.

Thus I question the circumstances of obtaining 22 mpg.

I drive under 50 mph, speed reduces your mpg more than you might think. I watch the road ahead and try to time the traffic lights so I don't have to stop. I am in 6th gear between 30-40 mph. I do not let my truck sit and idle to warm up. I have the 3:73 ratio and this is the last year before the converters were added. I found after 20,000 miles my mileage inproved. I also run synthetic oil, but not sure if this helps in the mpg or not. I use the mileage computer as well as the calculator, last tank full was hand figured at 22 plus mpg.

[Paul_Clancy]

The gm diesel is so quiet and comfortable you'll soon forget you're in an hd truck , untill you need the power, then it's there in gobs. As a commuter no problem. If you'd do it with a gas truck you can certainly do it with a new gm diesel. I test drove an lbz (latest version of duramax truck) and was totally in love with the ride, quiet and luxury. I think the other brands are pretty good but they will remind you more often you're in an hd diesel truck, some drivers like that so something for everyone.

[HDGasser]

with a six speed manual... sure, on a 3500 drw tho??? eh... anythings possible you could be shot in the face by dick chaney tomorrow!!!

[rvgonda]

Rvndave wrote:
22 mpg running to and from work makes a diesel a no brainer for me.

When I picked up my new 2005 Silverado Duramax from the dealer on June 29, I got 20.7 mpg on the interstate in cruize control at 50 mph for the 250 mile trip home.

Reluctantly using it to commute 10 miles round trip to work for the past three months of winter with temperatures between 5-40 degrees averaging say 25 degrees, I got 11.6 mpg.

Thus I question the circumstances of obtaining 22 mpg.

[bluenote]

FullTimeDad wrote:
I know hands down the diesel would be the best choice for towing, but I don't have the luxury of owning a single duty vehicle. So that said, with today's modern diesel engines would they be practical every day trucks. I have a gas excursion now, would love to have a PSD excursion for towing our TT, but could the diesel handle everyday family life too? I was always under the impression that you start a diesel and never shut it off? Can the diesel handle going here and there, the store, kids to school...etc? Is the starting and stopping the slow death of a diesel? Or have today's diesel engines become more family use friendly?

I have no problems using my diesel pickup as a daily driver and it is also our most used family vehicle. If your commute to work is shorter (under 10-15 miles), you might want to make sure to get it out on the highway every few days, on the weekends, etc... and warm the engine up a bit more. However, the newer generation pickup diesels are just as you were asking about...more family-use friendly.

[Rvndave]

22 mpg running to and from work makes a diesel a no brainer for me.

[FullTimeDad]

I apologize if this question has been asked, but it would take me a month to go through all 77 pages here. I know hands down the diesel would be the best choice for towing, but I don't have the luxury of owning a single duty vehicle. So that said, with today's modern diesel engines would they be practical every day trucks. I have a gas excursion now, would love to have a PSD excursion for towing our TT, but could the diesel handle everyday family life too? I was always under the impression that you start a diesel and never shut it off? Can the diesel handle going here and there, the store, kids to school...etc? Is the starting and stopping the slow death of a diesel? Or have today's diesel engines become more family use friendly?

Thanks for any info on this.

[JIMNLIN]

canigetoutnow wrote:
ryndave, didn't know they put the HO cummins in the 03's???

sure, the '03 HO motor is a 305/555. The '01/'02 had a HO option also.
______________________________________________________________
rvgonda
maintenence on the Dodge/Cummins has a 7500/15000 mile oil change schedule. Oil filters are 9 bucks/fuel filter is 10.50 bucks/air filter is 15 bucks all Fleetguard filters. They make the MOPAR and Cummins filters. PSD/DMAX filters and maintenence will cost a little more and the Cummins has less maintenence/fuel costs than a BB/V10 gasser. Drivability issues in cold climate are a thing of the past with the new gen diesels. Short runs are hard on any engine, gas or diesel. The biggest difference in that respect is the diesel will require a couple more min to warm up.
........JIM

[BertP]

Yeah, I caught that, Chris, but I just couldn't let it pass. 🙂

Bert

[canigetoutnow]

bert.

point well taken about the military IFS trucks...maybe I'll get me one of those to tow with!

[bluenote]

Bert,

It looks to me like Scott is just trolling. That's OK though, his obvious jealousy over the superior set up is showing through! :B

[BertP]

canigetoutnow wrote:
Diesel vs Gas...I can't even believe this is a discussion...if you've driven both you know, diesel is better...and if you have gas, that's fine, but you are missing out. not saying gas is bad, diesel is better for towing...and you tow, that's why you read this forum.

Why?

canigetoutnow wrote:
Well, Chevy has an independent front suspension...I thought these were supposed to be HD trucks, bs

You're saying that you can't have independent suspension on HD trucks???? Check out the military. They have vehicles weighing many 10's of thousands of pounds more than our little trucks with independent suspensions.

canigetoutnow wrote:
...it's out...and all that allison transmission stuff, whatever...

There aen't many people who criticize the Allison.....

Bert

[canigetoutnow]

ryndave, didn't know they put the HO cummins in the 03's???

here's my take.

Diesel vs Gas...I can't even believe this is a discussion...if you've driven both you know, diesel is better...and if you have gas, that's fine, but you are missing out. not saying gas is bad, diesel is better for towing...and you tow, that's why you read this forum.

As far as trucks go it's REALLY simple.

Ford, Chevy, or Dodge.

Well, Chevy has an independent front suspension...I thought these were supposed to be HD trucks, bs...it's out...and all that allison transmission stuff, whatever...

Ford, the 6.0 psd has problems.

Dodge...cummins baby...and they're more rare...

hopefully this may stir some opinions and spark some discussion. see you all out on the road!!