Diesel vs. Gas

Work vs. Play

Diesel and gas engines have a few similarities, and that’s where the comparative difference stops! Both are combustible engines. Both engines have pistons and a crankshaft to move the vehicle. The defining differential factor is how fuel ignites inside the engine. Diesel engines do not use spark plugs. The compression initiates an internal explosion that keeps the pistons moving up and down. Diesel engines also use a unique type of fuel thicker than gasoline. Thin of the colored handles at the fuel station. Diesel is always green. Never use the green handle at the fueling station. The green nozzle most likely will not fit into your gasoline-powered vehicle. If it doesn’t fit, you must omit it.

Diesel engines are usually in trucks and vehicles that tow or carry heavy payloads over longer distances and up and down grades. Diesel engines require fuel filters and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) service. Gasoline engines have shorter oil change cycles and require regular maintenance on spark plugs. A defining factor why 18-wheelers have diesel engines is engine durability and longevity. Compared to gasoline-powered engines, the diesel power plant is one of the last components to have trouble. Diesel engines can last for over one million miles. Gasoline engines may last 200,000 miles, depending on the type of driving the vehicle experiences. This includes the motor type and terrain.

Fuel costs more for a diesel engine, but the rewards outweigh the costs if you use your vehicle for professional services. Gasoline-powered vehicles cannot perform to the high standards of diesel engines either. If you’re towing, hauling, or carrying heavy payloads, expect a longer-lasting engine, and need power, diesel is the only way to go.

Supply and demand side economics. Supply and demand regulate the cost differential between diesel and gasoline-powered engines. On the supply side, diesel engines are not produced in high volumes compared to gasoline-powered vehicles. Diesel engines usually power larger engines. This includes marine engines. Parts for diesel engines are also more expensive. When a vehicle or an engine is known to last much longer, the price points may also coincide with longevity.

Diesel benefits include heavier-duty models, greater towing capacity and payload, and higher gas mileage. Think cargo ships. Diesel engines can also withstand greater amounts of heat compared to gasoline engines. Gasoline benefits are lighter vehicles, faster vehicles, and better handling vehicles. When your diesel vehicle needs repair, preventative maintenance, or immediate service, call Rush Automotive, or visit us in Round Rock, TX.