Diesel Vs. Gas Trucks

Welcome to Gibson Truck World, your Florida home for all your pickup truck needs. Whether shopping for your first or your next truck, you'll need to make some important decisions. First, you'll want to pick a brand, such as Ford, Ram, Chevrolet, or GMC. 

After that, you'll need to get specific, and that all depends on how you plan on using your truck. For example, do you choose a 1-ton pickup or go for a heavy-duty model? Then there's the trim level you select for its features. Finally, perhaps no decision is more critical than choosing between a gas or a diesel engine. To help with this last decision, we had our engine experts discuss the pros and cons of each type.

What Makes a Diesel Engine Different?

Before choosing a gas or diesel engine, it helps to know how they work and what makes them different. Diesel and gas engines both use internal combustion to produce the energy needed to propel a vehicle. However, they use dramatically different combustion methods. 

A gas engine compresses the air/fuel mixture to 10 times the atmospheric pressure. In contrast, a diesel engine compresses the air/fuel mixture to 15-25 times the atmospheric pressure. Because of this higher compression, a diesel engine creates more heat than its gas counterpart. As a result, a gas engine needs a spark to ignite the compressed air/fuel mixture, but a diesel engine does not. 

The heat generated from compression alone ignites the air/fuel mixture without a spark. And because you don't need spark plugs in a diesel engine, you get a powertrain with up to 40% better efficiency. In addition, diesel engines have a simpler design, which leads to fewer maintenance issues. 

Diesel Vs. Gas - Torque

Diesel engines have long out-produced gas engines in the torque department. As a result, if you plan on towing heavy loads, a diesel engine generally performs better, getting you up to speed faster than a gas engine. In addition, many late-model heavy-duty pickups come with 6.2-liter or higher V-8 gas engines capable of putting out enough torque to tow nearly the same amount as the manufacturer's diesel option.

Diesel Vs. Gas - Fuel Economy

A diesel engine typically costs more money than its gas counterpart, but they get better fuel economy. The honest answer lies in the fuel price, which we all know varies by region and changes almost daily. On average, diesel fuel costs more than gasoline. For example, diesel fuel costs nearly $1 more than gas in Florida. You'll pay more for your diesel fuel, but the diesel engine's better economy will take you farther.

Diesel Vs. Gas - Dependability

Compared to gas engines, diesel engines have a simpler design made of heavier materials and use fewer moving parts. As a result, diesel engines experience fewer problems over the vehicle's lifespan. Another benefit of diesel engines is they last much longer than gas ones due to their heavier construction. Diesel engines commonly run over 200,000 miles.

Diesel Vs. Gas - Cost to Maintain

Even with fewer maintenance issues, a diesel engine requires different maintenance than a gas engine. Diesel mechanics have specialized training that most auto mechanics don't get because of the unique nature of diesel engines. So, when things break down or you need routine maintenance, these services cost more on a diesel engine. However, the fact that you have fewer problems offsets the higher cost. You might also find it more difficult to locate a diesel mechanic near you. Fortunately, Gibson Truck World employs diesel mechanics to help with any issues you might experience.

Diesel Vs. Gas - Horsepower

Gas engines produce higher horsepower than diesel engines. More horsepower translates to quicker acceleration from a standstill and more power on demand at higher speeds. As a result, gas engines go faster and are much better suited for passing vehicles on the highway. In addition, a gas engine revs faster and has a higher redline, making it a better option for off-road adventures.

Diesel Vs. Gas - Payload

Your payload is how much weight you can load in your truck's bed. The horsepower and torque of an engine don't play a significant part in determining a truck's payload. Instead, that figure derives from the truck's construction, which can support a maximum amount of weight. 

For example, if a truck's frame were engineered to carry 7,500 pounds, you would need to subtract the weight of the truck's seats, body panels, passengers, transmission, drivetrain, engine, and every other part attached to the frame. What remains is your maximum payload. If all these things are equal, a diesel engine weighs more than a gas engine, lowering the amount left for cargo.

Which Engine Should I Buy, Diesel or Gas?

As we said at the beginning, how you plan to use your truck will determine which engine makes the most sense. For example, if you plan on towing your bass boat to Lake Monroe or enjoy spending your weekends doing off-road adventures around Lake Jessup, a gas engine truck should do the job just fine. However, if you use your truck to tow heavy loads, such as tractors and heavy machinery all week, the torque and economy make a diesel engine the more practical option. 

And, if you have a long daily commute, that diesel economy can save you money at the pump. However, not every gas station sells diesel, so if you live in a rural area, make sure you have easy access to diesel fuel.

Test Drive a Truck in Sanford Today

Sometimes, the best way to decide between two options is to try both. At Gibson Truck World, we have the most expansive inventory of pickup trucks in central Florida. Our inventory includes models from every manufacturer, and you can find 1500, 2500, 3500, and 4500 series trucks. Some have gas engines and others have diesel. 

We recommend you shop our virtual inventory before arriving to get a feel for the features you want in a truck. Most likely, we have a vehicle with these options in either a gas or diesel powertrain, so you can test drive them both. We look forward to seeing you.

Lifted Chevy Silverado by DiamondBack Covers is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0