Gas vs Diesel Chevy Trucks for Sale in Bozeman, Montana

Deciding between a gas and a diesel truck? There’s a lot more than towing ability to consider when choosing the best truck for the job! At Ressler Chevy, we stock a wide range of new gas and diesel trucks for sale in Bozeman, helping you find one well-suited to your needs. Both types of trucks use internal combustion engines, but how those engines work and the type of fuel they use differ. When shopping with us, you’ll usually find gas engines are more affordable, while diesels are priced at a premium. We’ll cover why that is, and what you need to know about both types of powertrains in the sections below. Want to learn more about our heavy-duty diesel trucks? Visit Ressler Chevrolet to compare and contrast our new trucks for sale today!

What Are the Differences Between Gas and Diesel Engines?

Most folks know that diesel engines use diesel fuel, and gas engines burn traditional gasoline fuel. Simple enough! Reality is never that simple, though, and one of the biggest differences between the two powertrains is the way they ignite fuel. You’re probably familiar with the gas ignition system. It uses spark plugs to ignite a mixture of fuel and air, bringing your engine to life. We call this spark ignition, and it’s used in every gas engine in the world. Diesel engines are different: they compress air in a combustion chamber so violently that the temperature increases enough to ignite the fuel, starting your engine. Generally speaking, diesels also operate at lower RPM and develop high torque, which helps them last longer than gas engines. To account for this, diesels have to be bigger and heavier, which often makes them louder. Diesel engines are usually equipped with a turbocharger and a direct-injection system. While gas engines can have these features, it’s not as common. This combo, regardless of the type of fuel, leads to increased power, better fuel economy, and lower emissions, all strengths of the diesel engine. Let’s compare the pros and cons in the section below.

Pros and Cons of Diesel Engines

There are plenty of benefits to choosing a diesel engine for your next truck. Some of the pros include: 

• Better fuel economy when comparing MPG to gas powertrains
• Higher torque generation, making them better at hauling heavy loads
• Thicker, higher-density fuel, leading to more power
• Lower RPMs lead to a longer lifespan, with most models expected to eclipse 300,000 miles

So diesel trucks are stronger, more fuel-efficient, and last longer. Why wouldn’t you choose a diesel engine? There are a few cons to be aware of:

• More expensive to purchase, and the price of diesel is higher than that of gasoline
• Higher emissions than gas engines 
• Higher maintenance costs when compared to gas powertrains
• Diesel engines are noisy and vibrate more than gas models, making them more difficult to live with.

Usually, if you’re buying a work truck that needs to haul every day, you’ll want to purchase a diesel truck. They’re best suited for industry, so you’ll most commonly find diesel powertrains on HD trucks like the Chevy Silverado 3500. Since they’re more expensive, noisier, and less comfortable than gas models, they can be a little harder to live with if you need your truck to moonlight as a family vehicle. 

Which Chevy Trucks Have Diesel Engines? 

At Ressler Chevrolet, we have a range of trucks equipped with diesel engines, from the classic Chevy Silverado 1500 to the heavy-duty Chevy Silverado 2500. The Silverado lineup is the only truck on our lot that offers the option to add a diesel engine, though SUVs like the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban can be equipped with a diesel engine. Current-generation Chevy trucks come with two diesel options. The first is a 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel inline-six that makes 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque. This is the engine you’ll find in the Chevy Silverado 1500, which delivers 13,300 lbs of towing capacity. After some extra towing ability? Choose a heavy-duty Chevy Silverado, such as the 2500 or 3500. These models come with a 6.6-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel V-8, with 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque. While towing capacity depends on the truck you purchase, you can expect to get 36,000 lbs of towing ability from a diesel Chevy Silverado 3500. Learn more about the diesel Chevy Silverado lineup with Ressler Chevy today!

Visit Ressler Chevy to test drive a Diesel or Gas truck!

Whether you’re exploring gas Chevy trucks like the new Chevy Silverado 1500, or you’re after a heavy-duty diesel truck for sale in Bozeman, our team can help. Visit Ressler Chevy to find your new truck for sale in Montana.