Diesel vs. Gas Trucks: Which is Right for You?

If you’re in the market for a truck in the Glendale, that’s great! But one question that you need to consider is whether you want a diesel or gas truck. There are benefits and drawbacks to both of these types of trucks, and your decision will ultimately come down to your driving needs and lifestyle. The team at Bell Road Mitsubishi has put together a guide outlining the pros and cons of diesel vs. gas trucks so you can make an informed decision when the time comes. Read on, then check out our inventory of new and pre-owned trucks to see what we have available!

Gas & Diesel Engines: What’s the Difference?

Now that we’ve discussed the pros and cons of gasoline and diesel engines, you might be wondering what exactly sets them apart. There are a few similarities between the two types of engines, but ultimately their construction is quite different. Here are some details:

• Gasoline and diesel engines are both internal combustion engines, meaning that fuel is turned into energy inside the engine.
• Trucks with gas-powered engines compress air and fuel at a ratio of roughly 10:1, compared to diesel trucks, which compress at a rate between 15:1 and 25:1. Therefore, diesel engines have a much hotter cylinder that means the fuel is self-igniting and usually doesn’t require a spark plug.
• An engine’s efficiency is partly determined by the relative difference between its maximum hot and cold temperatures. Since diesel engines have a higher compression ratio, they have a smaller min-max temperature difference and are therefore more fuel efficient.

Diesel vs. Gas Trucks: Pros & Cons

Benefits of Gasoline Trucks

• Acceleration and horsepower: Diesel engines may have the edge when it comes to torque, but you can’t beat the performance specs of a gasoline-powered truck. Gas trucks usually far outmatch their diesel counterparts when it comes to acceleration and horsepower.
• More fueling stations: Diesel fuel is pretty common, but it isn’t universal–there’s always a chance that a gas station won’t have a diesel option. Gasoline, however, can be found at any fueling station, so you’ll never have to worry about finding your next fill-up.
• Lower maintenance costs: Even though diesel engines have a simpler design than gasoline engines, they sometimes cost more in maintenance because of their heavy-duty, hard-to-find parts.

Benefits of Diesel Trucks

• Torque and towing: Diesel trucks generate more torque than gas-powered trucks, which means they usually have much more powerful towing capabilities. Diesel trucks are usually the go-to for worksites and transportation because of their heavy towing capacity.
• Fuel economy: Another area where diesel trucks excel is in fuel efficiency; they typically get better fuel economy numbers than gas-powered trucks. The fuel efficiency balances out the higher cost of diesel since you won’t have to refuel as often around Peoria and beyond.
• Longevity: Scientific evidence has shown that diesel engines tend to last much longer than comparable gasoline engines because they’re made of simpler construction and stronger engine blocks. In fact, some well-maintained diesel engines can last upwards of 500,000 miles!

Compare a Diesel vs. Gas Truck in Person with Bell Road Mitsubishi

If you’re still on the fence about deciding between a diesel vs. gas truck, why not see how they handle the road? Mesa drivers that stop by or contact Bell Road Mitsubishi are able to schedule a test drive so they can enjoy both models and experience the differences for themselves. You can also trust the finance department at Bell Road Mitsubishi to make the car buying process easy with our selection of car buying tips.