Diesel vs. Gas Trucks: Compare Pickup Types

Here at Ryan Family Dealerships, we get asked a lot of questions, including, “What’s the difference between diesel vs. gas trucks?” While diesel trucks and gas trucks are, at face value, just powered by different fuels, these two different energy sources do manifest in different ways when it comes to capability and performance. Ready to learn more about gas vs. diesel trucks? Let’s dive into the similarities and differences! Have questions as you read? Contact us anytime.

Diesel vs. Gas Trucks Pros and Cons

Perks of Diesel Trucks

• Fuel Economy – Diesel engines are usually more fuel-efficient than gasoline engines. While diesel fuel is often pricer to fill up with, many drivers prefer it over gasoline because it reduces the number of stops they’ll need to make to refuel on trips from Minot to Williston and beyond.
• Torque & Towing – Diesel trucks often have considerably more torque than similar gasoline trucks. Consequently, they can usually tow heavier loads. This makes them well-suited for use as commercial vehicles.
• Longevity – Anecdotal and scientific evidence suggests that diesel engines can last far longer than similar gas engines, in part due to simpler construction and stronger engine blocks. A well-maintained diesel engine can power your adventures for 500,000 miles or more.

Perks of Gas Trucks

• More Fueling Stations – Gasoline stations are commonplace all across the country let alone in the area. That having been said, not all gas stations sell diesel fuel. For this reason, many people prefer gas trucks vs. diesel trucks simply for the added convenience.
• Acceleration & Horsepower – Diesel trucks are generally torquier than gasoline trucks, true. However, for many daily drivers, it’s a vehicle’s horsepower and acceleration specs that are more important. Gas-powered trucks generally have the advantage in these areas compared to diesel-powered trucks.
• Lower Maintenance Costs – Diesel engines don’t have spark plugs. They’re also simpler by design than gas engines. As a result, some Minot drivers expect them to be cheaper to maintain than gas engines. In truth, since diesel engines employ heavy-duty and sometimes hard-to-find parts, service appointments and repairs can sometimes actually be more expensive. In other words, gas trucks may actually be cheaper to maintain than diesel trucks.

Technical Comparison: Gas & Diesel Engines

• Diesel and gas engines are both types of internal combustion engines, which just means that they convert fuel into energy within the engine. By contrast, external combustion engines produce heat externally.
• Gas trucks tend to compress air and fuel at a ratio of roughly 10:1. Diesel trucks compress their own air/fuel mixture at a rate between 15:1 and 25:1. This makes for much hotter cylinders where fuel can self-ignite without a spark plug.
• The fuel efficiency of any engine, diesel or gas, is determined in part by the relative difference between its maximum hot and cold temperatures. Higher compression ratios allow for a smaller min-max temperature difference, which accounts, in part, for the diesel engine’s greater fuel economy.

Compare a Diesel vs. Gas Truck in Person!

Ready to further compare gas vs. diesel trucks? Head to Ryan Family Dealerships for yourself in person! Call now to schedule your test drive. Meanwhile, value your trade or get a cash offer online.