Diesel vs. Gas Trucks: Pros and Cons

2021 RAM 1500 EcoDiesel
Diesel Trucks

vs.

Gas Trucks
Internal Combustion

Engine Type

Internal Combustion
Advantage

Efficiency

Disadvantage
Disadvantage

Maintenance Costs

Advantage
Disadvantage

Acceleration

Advantage
Advantage

Torque / Towing Power

Disadvantage
No

Requires Spark Plugs

Yes

Whether you’re looking to level up your adventures or you’re interested in adding capability to your work on the jobsite, you’re probably wondering: what are the diesel vs. gas truck pros and cons? Our team at Key Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram FIAT near Beavercreek has you covered with the advantages both models offer along with a technical comparison of the engines. Read on to compare diesel vs. gas trucks, then make your own comparison by contacting us to schedule a test drive of models in our inventory today!

 

 

Why Choose a Diesel vs. Gas Truck?

There’s no wrong option when it comes to finding a truck you love. So, let’s explore some of the benefits behind choosing a diesel vs. gas truck:

Advantages of Choosing a Diesel Truck

  • Torque & Towing – If you’re often looking to haul heavier loads, diesel trucks often generate more torque than gas-powered models. The heavier towing capacity means you’re up for any challenge the Wilmington work day throws at you.
  • Fuel Economy – Adding a diesel truck to your commute also helps you save at the pump. These engines tend to be more efficient than gas engines, and while diesel can be more expensive, Springfield drivers don’t mind the difference with fewer stops to refuel on trips out of town.
  • Longevity – It’s often said that diesel engines can last much longer than their counterparts, and that’s partially true as they often use simpler construction and stronger engine blocks. Continue to maintain your diesel engine and it can power your trips for more than 500,000 miles.

Advantages of Choosing a Gas Truck

  • Acceleration & Horsepower – If your drives often call for your thrilling performance, gas-powered engines give you the horsepower and acceleration you’re looking for to easily overtake other vehicles on the highway.
  • More Fueling Stations – Gas power is the standard, so you’re going to have no trouble finding a station to fill up at. On the other hand, not every gas station offers diesel fuel.
  • Lower Maintenance Costs – Although diesel engines have a simpler design and don’t require spark plugs, they’re not necessarily the cheaper option to maintain. The heavy-duty and harder to find parts mean that service appointments and repairs come at a higher cost.

Diesel vs. Gas Trucks: Technical Aspects

Diving deeper into the diesel vs. gas trucks pros and cons, it’s important to keep these point in mind:

  • Being combustion engines, both gas and diesel engines turn fuel into energy inside the engine itself. External combustion is when vehicle’s produce heat in one location and route it to the engine located elsewhere.
  • As we mentioned above, gas trucks require a spark plug as they only compress their air and fuel at a ratio of around 10:1. However, diesel trucks can see an air/fuel compression ratio between 15:1 and 25:1. Their ability to get a much hotter cylinder means the self-igniting diesel fuel doesn’t require a spark plug.
  • You can measure the efficiency of any engine by identifying the relative difference between its maximum hot and cold temperatures. The higher compression ratio of an engine, the smaller min-max temperature difference. This is part of the reason why diesel engines are more fuel efficient.

Test Powerful Gas and Diesel Trucks with Key Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram FIAT!

Explore the diesel vs. gas truck difference in the fan-favorite RAM 1500. No matter which engine type you prefer, you’ll find unbeatable performance when shopping with Key Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram FIAT. When you’re ready to take a model home, be sure to browse our new vehicle specials.

 

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