Questions To Ask Yourself When Deciding On Buying A Diesel-Powered Pickup Truck For Work
If you are in need of a new pickup truck for work use, you may be trying to decide whether you should buy one with a gas or diesel engine. If you are leaning towards a diesel-powered truck, ask yourself the following questions to help you in making your decision.
What Distances Do You Typically Travel?
The first thing you should think about when trying to decide if a diesel truck is right for your work needs is the distances that you typically travel during the week. Do you drive to local work sites? Or, are you usually required to drive long distances across state lines within a short time period?
If you have to drive a lot on your job, a diesel-powered truck may help you out in the long run. Diesel fuel is usually cheaper than regular gasoline, depending on your area. However, even if diesel is about the same price, you will find that you get more mileage per gallon than you would with gas.
As far as fuel economy, the one downside is that emissions testing is typically stricter for diesel pickups. Plus, you have to regularly add diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) to keep your engine from building up particulates, which could clog up and shut down the engine.
How Much Power Do You Need?
Another major consideration when deciding on buying a diesel truck is how much power you need to do your job. Do you usually only transport small loads of tools in the bed? Or, do you have to pull a loaded down trailer up hills?
If you pull a lot of heavy loads of equipment or supplies as part of your work, you need a lot of power to keep from putting a strain on the engine. Diesel-powered trucks tend to have a much higher power rating than gas-powered ones.
The amount of energy the diesel fuel expends while burning gives you the extra power you need. Plus, the gear ratios are typically lower, meaning that you can easily pull heavy loads up steep inclines.
Even after considering how you will be using your pickup truck, as well as your own personal preferences, you may still be on the fence on whether or not to buy one with a diesel engine. Speak with an auto dealer who has multiple types of trucks for sale for further guidance on selecting the ideal truck for you and your work.
