Re: Dodge/Cummins late model mileage

Posted by Steven@AZ on March 30, 2007 at 07:48:03 from (216.67.213.217):

In Reply to: Dodge/Cummins late model mileage posted by fuel miser on March 30, 2007 at 07:18:47:

You need to decide if the $6000 up-charge is worth it for a diesel...

My brother is making around 17mpg in his 06 Cummins with a 6-speed. His 98 12-valve mechanical Cummins makes 20 mpg if you keep it under 65mph.

Here are some thoughts on whether you will save money on a diesel, using current prices for gas and diesel in my area of NW AZ: (please keep in mind I rounded some numbers)
Gas: $2.65
Diesel: $2.85
Gas pickup makes 14 mpg and will use 7143 gallons in 100k miles costing you $18,929.

Diesel makes 18 mpg and will use 5555 gallons in 100k miles costing you $15,832. The diesel will save you $3097 in 100k miles on fuel.

So you need to drive about 200,000 miles to break even on fuel cost vs. up-charge for diesel engine. The difference will change depending on how often you pull a load because the diesel should do better mileage than gas with a load. If you are constantly pulling a load, the diesel is a no-brainer. But if you pull a load, say 20% of the time - you're not really coming out ahead.

I had a similar situation with my vehicles in the last year - had a car that made 42 mpg and just couldn't sell it because "it saved us SO much money on fuel!" In the end, the fuel savings barely covered what it cost to insure and maintain the car - so I sold it. In conclusion, I won't be buying a diesel to save money. Here ends my $2.65 worth...

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