Toyota Tundra driving on a mountain road

Diesel Vs Gas Trucks

If you’re looking for a new truck in the Fort Worth area, you might be wondering whether you should choose a diesel vs. gas truck. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? You’ll want to have as much information as possible before making a committed decision, and Shottenkirk Toyota of Weatherford has got you covered. Our guide goes over the benefits of diesel vs. gas trucks as well as a technical comparison of these two engines. Read on, then check out our inventory of Toyota Tundra and Tacoma trucks to see what we have available!

Diesel Trucks

 

Engine Type: Internal Combustion

Efficiency: Advantage

Maintenance Costs: Disadvantage

Acceleration: Disadvantage

Torque / Towing Power: Advantage

Requires Spark Plugs: No

Gas Trucks

 

Engine Type: Internal Combustion

Efficiency: Disadvantage

Maintenance Costs: Advantage

Acceleration: Advantage

Torque / Towing Power: Disadvantage

Requires Spark Plugs: No

 

Reasons to Choose a Diesel Truck

  • Torque and towing: With diesel trucks, you’ll be getting more torque than a gas-powered counterpart. This means that diesel trucks are capable of towing heavier loads than gas-powered trucks, even if they’re the same size. As a result, diesel trucks tend to be better-respected as work trucks or transport vehicles.
  • Fuel economy: Diesel trucks usually get better fuel efficiency than gas-powered engines. Although diesel can be a bit more expensive, it also reduces the number of refueling stops that Azle drivers have to make, so it evens out.
  • Longevity: Research has shown that diesel-powered engines last much longer than their gasoline counterparts – some well-maintained diesel engines can last up to 500,000 miles! This is partly because diesel-powered engines have stronger engine blocks and simpler construction.

Reasons to Choose a Gas Truck

  • Acceleration and horsepower: While diesel engines get better torque and towing power, gas-powered engines have the advantage when it comes to acceleration and engine power. This tends to make gasoline engines a preferred choice as a daily driver.
  • More fueling stations: Diesel fuel can be harder to find at gas stations, so drivers of gasoline-powered trucks will have an easier time finding their next fill-up.
  • Lower maintenance costs: Diesel engines have a simpler design, so naturally drivers expect them to be cheap to service and maintain. However, they also employ harder-to-find heavy-duty parts, so repairs and maintenance can actually be quite pricey. Gasoline-powered trucks usually cost less to take care of.

Technical Comparison: Gas & Diesel Engines

Gasoline and diesel engines both have benefits and drawbacks, but how do they stack up technically? You might be wondering what the nitty-gritty differences are between these engine types. When comparing diesel vs. gas trucks, keep the following points in mind:

  • They’re both internal combustion engines – fuel is turned into energy inside the engine. The opposite, external combustion engines, involves heat being produced outside the engine and routed to it from another point in the car.
  • With gasoline trucks, the engine compresses air and fuel at a ratio of around 10:1. By contrast, diesel trucks compress air and fuel at a ratio of between 15:1 and 25:1. This is why diesel engines don’t require spark plugs – the cylinder is much hotter so the fuel is self-igniting.
  • An engine’s efficiency is determined by the difference between its maximum hot and cold temperatures. With a higher compression ratio, you get a smaller temperature difference – this partly accounts for a diesel engine’s better fuel economy.

Compare a Diesel vs. Gas Truck in Person!

Shottenkirk Toyota of Weatherford offers two Toyota trucks – the Tacoma and Tundra. If you’re ready to check one out in person, contact our office anytime to set up a test drive around Mineral Wells. We offer a great selection, and we’re happy to help you every step of the way if you’re ready to bring a gas or diesel-powered Toyota truck home for yourself!

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May 23, 2024
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