For many vehicle owners the decision between gasoline or diesel can be a tough one. However, if you own a pickup truck, choosing between a gas vs. diesel engine can impact everything from the power to the fuel-efficiency of your vehicle.
Luckily, no matter which you choose, both gas and diesel engines offer a unique set of advantages, depending on how you plan to use your pickup truck:
So you’ve decided to buy a pickup truck and start visiting and test driving auto dealerships to make a purchase. When considering sticker price alone, gas powered pickups are typically cheaper in price. That’s simply due to the fact that the turbo-diesel powertrain of a pickup is more costly when you consider a beefed up transmission and a heavier engine block. Throw in the required emissions control equipment and you’ll no doubt be paying more than the gas-powered model.
If you plan to haul a lot of heavy loads with your pickup (i.e., contractors) a diesel pickup truck is your most economical bet over the long “haul”. While diesel engines are heavier compared to gas engines, diesel pickups can simply haul more. Just check out the maximum towing capacity and capability of a diesel vs. gas powered pickup–they offer better fuel economy with more torque.
If being nicer to the environment is an issue for you, I’m not sure why you’d opt for a pickup truck in the first place, but if you’re seeking the most emission friendly pick up, your decision should sway gas vs. diesel. Sure, diesel truck must feature a emissions control system, but still must go into “regen mode” periodically in order to cleanse the particulate filters and increasing the temperature of the exhaust system, which has negative effects on overall fuel economy and the environment.
If you prefer to a truck with lower overall maintenance costs, go gas! After All, maintaining a diesel truck is is most expensive due to more frequent transmission repairs, turbo injector replacements, fuel filter replacements, and powertrain maintenance.
