6.2L vs 3.0 Diesel, considering upgrading from my '18 6.2L

mjonesjr84 · April 6, 2021

2 hours ago, the wanderer said:

He is also talking about keeping his truck(s) 5 to 10 years. If he gets a diesel and drives it 95% of the time for a 2 mile trip, he is guaranteed to have issues.

Guaranteed to have issues? That is a misleading statement. Modern diesels can take the abuse. They are put into the 1/2 ton market not expecting anyone who purchases them to be road warriors. The newer generation of diesel engines can take the short term abuse just as well, if not better than a gas engine.

OnTheReel · April 6, 2021

It’s going to have all the same downfalls as a gas engine that’s short tripped (like fuel dilution) PLUS it’s NOX and DPF sensors will soot up like crazy and it’ll be going to regen constantly.

Modern or not, I think it’s ill-advised to buy a diesel with the intent of primarily frequent short trips. There’s just no upside to doing so. And don’t get me wrong, I like the 3.0 and am considering one next year. I just don’t think this is the right application for it.

the wanderer · April 6, 2021

1 hour ago, mjonesjr84 said:

Guaranteed to have issues? That is a misleading statement. Modern diesels can take the abuse. They are put into the 1/2 ton market not expecting anyone who purchases them to be road warriors. The newer generation of diesel engines can take the short term abuse just as well, if not better than a gas engine.

Not a chance. Modern diesels do not like short trips, definitely not 2 miles, I cannot think of a worse use case for a modern diesel then turning it on and off within 2 miles each and every time. Even gas won't do well with that but it will handle it better.

Long runs? Hauling loads? That's perfect. 2 miles is diesel abuse.

redwngr · April 6, 2021

He said the local tow was 2 miles.

He one of the later posts he also said most local runs would be long enough to completely warm it up.

I think we all agree that no engine would be happy if it only ever got to make 2 miles runs....

Wormydog1724 · April 7, 2021

I drive my 3.0L dmax two miles to work, two miles to the gym, two miles back to work, and two miles back home. Only 5k miles on it so far. I’ll report back when I start having issues.

Transient · April 7, 2021

A 2-mile commute shouldn't need a chunk of metal with a bunch of moving parts anyways. That's a short walk. If you can't handle that then you've got bigger problems coming.

Now, towing a boat (or any other load) is another story.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

jflan23 · April 7, 2021

I own the 6.2 with the 10 speed (at4), my father owns the diesel. I have towed with both, I prefer the 6.2.

They both have pretty much the exact same torque, 6.2 has way more hp. You’re going to sacrifice fuel mileage, however gasoline is cheaper than diesel and if you don’t drive all that much it wouldn’t make a difference.

The only time I wish I had the 3.0 is when I take trips from Connecticut up to Maine when I wish I got a little better mileage (still get 16-18 going 70 on the highway) not towing of course.

My vote, 6.2.

Nitrousbird · April 7, 2021

On 4/5/2021 at 5:35 PM, redwngr said:

You won't like the sound of the 3.0L compared to the C6. Turbo I6 doesn't rumble like a V8 .2

Imho, the 3.0L would be fine for the job described.

I'm not overly thrilled with the sound of the L86 in my truck either, but don't want it louder. I like the sound quiet in my trucks.

18 hours ago, the wanderer said:

He is also talking about keeping his truck(s) 5 to 10 years. If he gets a diesel and drives it 95% of the time for a 2 mile trip, he is guaranteed to have issues.

Where did I ever say 95% of my driving was 2 miles? My statement was clear that most of my towing was 2 miles, but I do more than tow with this truck.

16 hours ago, Transient said:

Whatever you do, get the 10-speed. /s

If you like the 2.7T you can get whatever truck has it and add the AT4 lift and suspension in the deal. The dealership can install it, too. The kit is a GM Accessory.

I never said I liked the 2.7, I just said for my local towing that even it would work. The highest level truck you can buy with that motor is the Elevation and you can't get the "leather" seats, Tech Package, etc. on that - all dead set requirements. Though stripper trucks would be much cheaper, they also resale for less, so I'd rather wrap up some additional cash and increase the enjoyment of my drive. If Cadillac still sold the Escalade EXT, I would own another one, as I preferred how it drove vs my Sierra. But I need a truck bed and GM decided to axe that platform.

mjonesjr84 · April 7, 2021

26 minutes ago, jflan23 said:

You’re going to sacrifice fuel mileage, however gasoline is cheaper than diesel and if you don’t drive all that much it wouldn’t make a difference.

Why all the false info? GM recommends the 6.2 only run Premium fuel, which where I am is $0.20-0.30 per gallon more than diesel. Yes, the 6.2 can run on 87 octane fuel but you will give up some of the HP/TQ specs that the 6.2 has. To get peak HP/TQ, you have to run 92/93 octane fuel.

Now, lets do some math based on 87 octane vs diesel fuel with some costs based on fuel prices from southern Indiana. These prices will be based on Walmart Fuel Center who does have the cheapest prices per GasBuddy.com in my town.

87 Octane - $2.69 per gallon

89 Octane - $2.99 per gallon (same as diesel)

93 Octane - $3.29 per gallon (10% more than diesel)

Diesel - $2.99 per gallon (11% more than 87)

Now, in my '20 3.0 4wd it has a lifetime average of 26.693 mpg over the 18,135 miles on the truck. Are you getting even close to that with the 6.2? I have a couple '17 5.3 2wd trucks in my fleet and they are only getting an average of 17-18 mpg. My 3.0 is getting roughly 45% better mileage than the 5.3's. I'd say that it is worth the extra cost of the diesel fuel.

The maintenance cost are not that much more. I came from a '16 Colorado 3.6. The dealership charged me $64 to change the oil and rotate the tires in the Colorado. They charge me $79 to change the oil and rotate the tires in the 3.0. GM recommended the 3.6 get oil changes at 5,000 mile intervals. The 3.0 is recommended to change the oil at 7,500 miles.

The attached image is from the EPA's website with the above fuel prices put in for customization.

I'm not saying stay away from the 6.2 as if I couldn't have gotten the 3.0 I'd have the 6.2. I would not ever get the 2.7, 4.3, or 5.3.

the wanderer · April 7, 2021

1 hour ago, Nitrousbird said:

Where did I ever say 95% of my driving was 2 miles? My statement was clear that most of my towing was 2 miles, but I do more than tow with this truck.

I misread your original post, I thought you said the "majority of my driving is 2 miles" but you wrote "majority of my towing is miles". That definitely changes things but I'd still avoid any diesel if you do mainly very short trips, towing or not.

Nitrousbird · April 7, 2021

19 minutes ago, the wanderer said:

I misread your original post, I thought you said the "majority of my driving is 2 miles" but you wrote "majority of my towing is miles". That definitely changes things but I'd still avoid any diesel if you do mainly very short trips, towing or not.

Sitting is the bigger issues than short trips, as the truck can go 1-2 weeks without being used at a time, especially in the spring and fall. Other than my local towing trips, most of my drives are 15-30 minutes each way (leaning more toward 30 minutes), mixed conditions (45 - 55MPH roads, a little stop and go, some freeway). Then the 2-3 multi-state trips a year. I previously had a daily driver BMW 335i when I commuted to the office, but since I work from home, I bought my C6Z then sold my 335i, so the truck now takes the place of some of that car's duties.

mjonesjr84 · April 7, 2021

8 minutes ago, Nitrousbird said:

Sitting is the bigger issues than short trips, as the truck can go 1-2 weeks without being used at a time, especially in the spring and fall.

If you have a full tank of diesel fuel you should be good. To be safe, if you know it is going to sit then add in some fuel treatment. The worst part about a parked diesel is a less than full tank will draw moisture.

OnTheReel · April 7, 2021

1 hour ago, mjonesjr84 said:

Why all the false info? GM recommends the 6.2 only run Premium fuel, which where I am is $0.20-0.30 per gallon more than diesel. Yes, the 6.2 can run on 87 octane fuel but you will give up some of the HP/TQ specs that the 6.2 has. To get peak HP/TQ, you have to run 92/93 octane fuel.

Now, lets do some math based on 87 octane vs diesel fuel with some costs based on fuel prices from southern Indiana. These prices will be based on Walmart Fuel Center who does have the cheapest prices per GasBuddy.com in my town.

87 Octane - $2.69 per gallon

89 Octane - $2.99 per gallon (same as diesel)

93 Octane - $3.29 per gallon (10% more than diesel)

Diesel - $2.99 per gallon (11% more than 87)

Now, in my '20 3.0 4wd it has a lifetime average of 26.693 mpg over the 18,135 miles on the truck. Are you getting even close to that with the 6.2? I have a couple '17 5.3 2wd trucks in my fleet and they are only getting an average of 17-18 mpg. My 3.0 is getting roughly 45% better mileage than the 5.3's. I'd say that it is worth the extra cost of the diesel fuel.

The maintenance cost are not that much more. I came from a '16 Colorado 3.6. The dealership charged me $64 to change the oil and rotate the tires in the Colorado. They charge me $79 to change the oil and rotate the tires in the 3.0. GM recommended the 3.6 get oil changes at 5,000 mile intervals. The 3.0 is recommended to change the oil at 7,500 miles.

The attached image is from the EPA's website with the above fuel prices put in for customization.

I'm not saying stay away from the 6.2 as if I couldn't have gotten the 3.0 I'd have the 6.2. I would not ever get the 2.7, 4.3, or 5.3.

He did 10,500 miles in 2.5 years in his current truck. If he drives the same in the new one, it amounts to less than a $600 difference in fuel cost (based on the EPA combined estimates and a .20 upcharge for the premium). Spread over 2.5 years. Non-issue.

Also assuming the limited use, he’ll need oil changes based on time, not mileage. The OLM goes to zero after one year no matter what.

mjonesjr84 · April 7, 2021

6 minutes ago, OnTheReel said:

He did 10,500 miles in 2.5 years in his current truck. If he drives the same in the new one, it amounts to less than a $600 difference in fuel cost (based on the EPA combined estimates and a .20 upcharge for the premium). Spread over 2.5 years. Non-issue.

Also assuming the limited use, he’ll need oil changes based on time, not mileage. The OLM goes to zero after one year no matter what.

Basic math, but that's a $0.30 upcharge for Premium vs Diesel. Typo?

The oil changes will be the same no matter which engine based on time, not miles.