There are many benefits to buying a diesel truck instead of one with a gasoline engine. Years ago, diesel engines were reviled as loud, dirty and cumbersome. This stereotype no longer fits. Today's diesel vehicles are quiet, clean and sleek. Compared to gasoline engines, diesel offers increased fuel economy, cleaner emissions, increased towing power, easier maintenance and higher value retention.
Diesel fuel contains more energy per gallon than gasoline, meaning that diesel engines can produce more power while using less fuel than a gasoline engine. It is for this reason that diesel engines average 20-30% better fuel economy than similar vehicles with gas engines.
If the price of gas and diesel were identical, using a diesel engine would save the driver $1,500 or more in fuel costs for every 100,000 miles of driving, according to industry estimates.
Technological advances have increased the cleanliness of diesel vehicles. High pressure direct injection systems make diesel engines more effective at reducing greenhouse gases during combustion. Special particulate filters stop the majority of soot particles from being released into the air. Also, advances have reduced the amount of fuel required for combustion, meaning that diesels burn less fuel and therefore emit less carbon dioxide than gasoline vehicles.
Increased torque is one of the biggest benefits to diesel engines. While gasoline cars generally have high rates of horsepower, diesels generally have far more torque. This enables them to pull or tow greater loads.
Towing is difficult on any engine, but diesels have been designed to handle the extra loads. Operated under identical towing conditions, gasoline engines will wear out twice as fast as diesel engines. Also, assuming that the cost of gasoline and diesel were the same, the diesel engine would save more than $2,500 in gas per 100,000 miles when compared to the gasoline engine towing the same load.
Because diesel engines function differently than gasoline engines, they need servicing less frequently and require less complicated repairs. They also last longer on average than gasoline engines do.
Diesel engines do not require complicated fuel injection systems or spark plugs. This eliminates any potential for ignition failure and reduces the amount of engine parts that need servicing.
Gas units burn much hotter than diesel units, which reduces their lifespan. When properly cared for, diesel engines can run for more than 250,000 miles.
Many people may decide against diesel engines because of the initial higher cost of purchasing the vehicle. However, the increased fuel economy and reduced maintenance costs will pay for the engine over time. When diesel owners decide to trade in or sell their vehicle, they typically find that their vehicles are worth more than similar gas engine models. There is an increasing demand for used diesel vehicles as consumers realize the many benefits to owning this type of vehicle.
