Big Secret To Reducing Fuel Consumption!

[deere755]

Will your jetta or your beetle pull my heavy trailer around or my grain wagons around? Some of us are forced to have larger vehicles. If you can get along with out one thats great. I do agree with driving 55 saves fuel and I have been setting my cruise at 55 on the 2 lane roads but 55 on the interstate will get you ran over. I am thinking of going diesel because my gas burner uses too much fuel. A diesel might save me money if it will get better fuel mileage than my gas burner.

 

[DTCOOPER]

Here in Dallas diesel is about 30-40 cents per gallon CHEAPER than gasoline.... My Powerstroke gets about 18 mpg so long as I drive sensibly. I can load a VW in the back of my Ford and STILL get 18 mpg. I respect your choice to drive a matchbox, and get fuel economy directly associated with such. I will continue to drive my 4 door Powerstroke in comfort and will take my 18mpg as long as I can continue to buy diesel at the pump.

On another note: Did anyone hear the energy czar (tongue in cheek) removing the regulations on Sulphur content of diesel and volatility of gasoline ? Can anyone shed some light on that for me ?

 

[tractorsrus]

After having owned both gas and diesel vehicles, I personally would almost always choose diesel over gas in terms of longevity, better fuel mileage, less repairs, of course we have to compare apples to apples, and consider what it will be used for and how long you will be keeping vehicle. Regular gas just surpassed diesel in my area yesterday for the first time in a while, Regular $299.9 Diesel $ 289.9 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[HGM]

You do touch on valid points, however the fact is that diesels get better fuel economy and last many times longer than their gas powered counterparts. Though even with higher maintnance cost, you will still come out better in the long run with approx. 50% better fuel economy. As far as reliability, things are changing, it keeps getting better. You may be correct about the statistics, though you must also look at the volume of cars and the sample group that JD Powers is looking at. Numbers can say anything you want them to. If you complared 10 apples from a busshel that had 10% rotten to 10 from a 3 busshel basket, your chances of coming up with a higher number of rotten apples naturally goes up 3x.

New fuel regulations are coming next year for the remaininder ot the U.S., this alone will effect reliability and perception of all diesel engines in the states.

 

[SkyPup]

The fact remains, when it is all said and done, that when we drive the same distance as you do, we only pay less than 1/2 what you do! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[gsxr1100]

I agree somewhat since I owned a Powerchoke for years. But I do not own a VW nor will I drive a Powerchoke with a VW in the back!

Sensible is thrown out the window here. Based on the wonderful ride and quality that Powerstrokes have, thanks but no thanks. Just the upkeep is not worth it unless you have a need for it. Nevermind the riding like you are on Batman at Six-flags! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[gsxr1100]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The fact remains, when it is all said and done, that when we drive the same distance as you do, we only pay less than 1/2 what you do! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )</font>

A more correct way would be when we drive the same distances, you use about 40% of the fuel capacity. Now price is going to even hamper your savings.

In 2,000 miles it cost me $53 on avg more. Again it is a wash since I owned a diesel and the upkeep is MORE then gas. I will pay an extra $53 a month to ride in “refinement”, quality and durability. But that is me.

 

[getut]

Mike, it isn't always that simple and your costs don't cover the big picture for everyone.

I just cannot justify spending X thousand dollars, or much less XX thousand dollars on a vehicle that is useful for only a single purpose (to haul human).

Many people like me can justify a truck. I will always have a truck. If I feel like living high on the hog and fat-catting, then I may would have a second vehicle as a car. But I simply cannot live without a truck.

Cars simply cannot take punishment like a truck so their durability is less. This lessens their value even more for me. Car buyers are typically forced to pay for "fluff". Other than air conditioning and a nice stereo, if it doesn't increase the durability of the truck I really don't want it (I hate electronics and 10 million safety gadgets installed on vehicles).

I NEED a vehicle that can work like a mule and manage to eek out 300,000 miles (or better) while its doing it. If it won't do it then there is no value in it for me.

Every vehicle I have ever owned except for one had at least 200,000 plus on it before I got rid of it. I just can't afford to buy a new car every year. Durability/longevity is the number 1 factor in my vehicle/tractor purchases. If you flog a car all the time it isn't going to last even 100k before it dies.

 

[gsxr1100]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You do touch on valid points, however the fact is that diesels get better fuel economy and last many times longer than their gas powered counterparts. Though even with higher maintnance cost, you will still come out better in the long run with approx. 50% better fuel economy. As far as reliability, things are changing, it keeps getting better. You may be correct about the statistics, though you must also look at the volume of cars and the sample group that JD Powers is looking at. Numbers can say anything you want them to. If you complared 10 apples from a busshel that had 10% rotten to 10 from a 3 busshel basket, your chances of coming up with a higher number of rotten apples naturally goes up 3x.

New fuel regulations are coming next year for the remaininder ot the U.S., this alone will effect reliability and perception of all diesel engines in the states. )</font>


I would hope they last longer since they has much lower RPM and cost a few % more to start with.

The fuel part can be a savings as I have noted, but the higher price offsets the savings to even less. Again, I owned a diesel and the filter changes, glow plugs etc all cost more in the end and further eat you savings.
This debate and about 1,000 I have had on this and the numbers are all there. Diesel in my application was a total waste of $$$$, time, comfort of ride etc.

Within 1-year or 24,000 miles a VW vs my ES300; the ES300 cost more $640 more per year or 24,000 miles. I will take the hit since I have ridden in a VW and own an ES300. Can’t even compare the two here. Night and day…..

I am not being correct; I am “stated” from JDP. Again, you can compare it 10 ways to china and you still have the same outcome. You can state all the what about “if” their numbers but I guess the industry is all wrong since most listen.

With the new fuels come out for weasels, good luck. I am glad I do not own one.

 

[tractorsrus]

I would love to have a vw diesel, but we cannot buy a new one here in ny…. And the local vw dealership here has way to many horror stories floating around for me anyways, never owned a powerstroke, but I do love my Cummins powered dodge! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif And if I wanted a "car like ride" in my truck I would look at a Chevy, but I want a truck that rides like a truck. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif