by Matt Gadfield

Created on: May 02, 2008   Last Updated: November 07, 2008

There are numerous reasons to look at a diesel engine when buying a pickup. Modern diesels are far from the smoky, lumbering things of yesteryear which put many people off ever owning one.

To begin, the fuel economy of a diesel truck is usually far better than the gas equivalent. You will see savings of up to half, often without needing to adapt your driving style. A diesel engined vehicle tends to be more relaxed to drive too, as more torque is available for heavy loads and steep hills. Frequently a diesel will haul the same load at the same speeds with lower fuel costs. Once warmed up, they tend to be quiet and almost refined with a not unpleasant growl developing as engine speed increases. You will not be left behind by other traffic either, as due to your superior torque you will be able to cruise up gradients that leave normal cars floundering. You do need to adapt your driving style, as in general the power is delivered at far lower revs than a gas engine. This will not take long, and you will rapidly become adept at keeping the turbo spinning to make rapid progress. If there is a manual transmission option, I would suggest picking it as this will not only improve your fuel economy but also enable you to choose precisely when to shift in order to get the best from the engine. It is also possible to run some trucks on biodiesel, which can even be made at home from used cooking oil depending on local statutes. Doing this reduces your dependence on imported oil and can save considerable sums, although you should check with the manufacturer whether their engines can handle biodiesel before using it.

The downsides are few. Some state emissions laws either penalize diesel trucks or ban them outright, as despite the huge improvements of recent years they can still be smoky, particularly if modified to improve the power output. If peak horsepower and sheer speed matters then you will be better off with a gas engine, as the diesels are only just beginning to compete directly in these areas. Generally, if you look at the figures the diesel will develop fewer brake horsepower but more torque, which rewards those skilled enough to get the best from the engine. They can be rough and noisy when started from cold, although this will fade as the engine warms. Purchasing and servicing costs can be higher, however a diesel will usually have longer service intervals and a longer lifespan.

In short, if you are looking for a new truck and a diesel option is available, at least take a test drive. You may be pleasantly surprised, and you won't have wasted your time in investigating an alternative fuel.

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