The new (as of 2007.5) emissions junk added to diesels have reduced their mpg overall by 20% or so compared to the pre-2007s. The addition of DEF seems to have recovered some of that loss, but with an added expense of buying the DEF (albeit small), and yet more added complexity to break in 3-5 years. I don't know if my next truck will be a diesel or if I will go with a smaller RV and a gas powered truck. I will see what each has to offer when the time comes - which won't be for a while.
2010 Cougar 322QBS 5er
2007 Dodge 3500 SRW Megacab, 4x4, 5.9L Cummins, 3.73, 48RE auto HYPERTECH MAX ENERGY or DIABLO PREDATOR tuning MBRP 4" Turbo back Scangauge2 for Boost, Coolant temp, Rail press & Trans Temp
Torklift Stable Loads
I have a Jeep Libby diesel, and have gotten almost 35 mpg on the highway. Yet Consumer Reports said that vehicle gets 13 mpg. I think they have yet to understand that diesels have recirculating fuel systems, that is, the fuel is used both as fuel and as coolant for the fuel injectors, with the excess (now hot) fuel being dumped back into the fuel tank. I think that their standard method of calculating fuel mileage is to pull the fuel line from the tank to the fuel filter, put a stubby line on it from a gallon jug, and run until the jug is empty, NOT REALIZING THAT HALF THEIR FUEL GOT PUT INTO THE REGULAR FUEL TANK instead of being burned.
MSGTRETIREDCSP wrote: If you buy a diesel, buy it for the power, NOT the fuel savings. Diesels ARE NOT cheaper to operate than gas.
TRUE, If you have mechanical problems with your power train, expect to pay a lot more for repairs, and your choices for these repairs are also limited.
With todays Diesels making 300 Plus horsepower, and 800 pounds of torque, do not expect to see great milage in your TV, compared to trucks that are 8 plus years old.
Jayco-noslide wrote: What gives with the fuel economy (or lack thereof)of diesels? I thought one bought a diesel at least in part for the fuel economy. I just read a consumer report test of all 3 major brand new diesel pick-ups and they stated 13 MPG as the overall mileage. My half-ton gas Chevy will average better than that even with all around town driving and will average 15 or 16 with some highway mixed in. I know one can't compare half with 3/4 ton but still 13 sounds terrible and would seem to diminish the advantage of diesel?
Uh-oh, I smell a troll......
The pollution control devices have killed the mileage and economic advantage on the new trucks..... those of us with the old iron still enjoy the mileage and performance advantages. But whether you have an older diesel or a new one, we don't have to suffer the agony of grinding up grade at 25 mph, small block screaming at 6000 rpm, holding up traffic.....
Sam
2001.5 Dodge QC2500 coal burner, 6spd,BD brake,a pile of other stuff!
little black box, K&N'd,only smokes a little....
2008 Thor Jazz 2870UK 5er
Hey, guys, wait a minute: we already have to compete with the rest of the world for diesel fuel, a major reason it is so expensive. Why on earth try to convince a nay-sayer to join THAT competition???
Nay, OP, yer 100% right. Stick with gasoline. It's way better. Cheaper by the gallon. Goes LOTS farther, too. Ignore those dieselheads, they're all idiots.
APT wrote: They tend to get about 15mpg in mixed unloaded driving, 18-20mph highway, and 12-14mpg city.
Exactly my #s with an 06 Duramax totally stock. My previous 1/2 ton got 2-3 less across the board and, as mentioned, weighed 2000lbs less and couldn't pull a house as my diesel can
I'm very close to those same numbers with my stock '06 Duramax and my former '99 1500 as your 1/2 ton. I just completed a 4000 mile towing trip to the Smoky Mts and Florida Gulf Coast. Towing my new Pinnacle 5W I got a best 11.9 MPG and a low 8.8 going into a 25 MPH head wind up and down the hills of Missouri. All this towing is at 62 MPH which keeps the diesel at its optimal torque range (1600 rpm) and locked in 6th gear. I probably averaged right at 11.3 mpg overall. My '99 half ton was lucky to get 10 mpg pulling a much lighter 5W and would run in 3rd gear at about 3500 rpm.
taviking22
Omaha, NE
'06 2500HD Silverado 4X4, Duramax LBZ, Firestone air bags
2008 Tracker Pro Guide V-16 Boat
2012 Jayco Pinnacle 31RLTS
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