Cost of maintenance

05 1500HD · August 25, 2023

What is the cost difference in maintenance between gas and diesel?

right now I pay close between $75-$100 for an oil change on my ‘15 Silverado 1500.

I know there are other maintenance as well like the turbos and such on the diesels vs gas. Just trying to weigh out all of my options before deciding which platform I want to go on my next truck.

KARNUT · August 25, 2023

57 minutes ago, 05 1500HD said:

What is the cost difference in maintenance between gas and diesel?

right now I pay close between $75-$100 for an oil change on my ‘15 Silverado 1500.

I know there are other maintenance as well like the turbos and such on the diesels vs gas. Just trying to weigh out all of my options before deciding which platform I want to go on my next truck.

Here’s the old guy talking about the past again will it help? Maybe. It boils down to what you’re using it for. In the past gas couldn’t handle the abuse diesel could. My experience stopped in early 2000. My diesel maintenance was cheaper than gas. Yes it required more oil. I was able to extend the changes with Amsoil. The fuel filter was easy to change, I did it myself. Fuel was cheaper and fuel mileage was better. My diesels never broke down. I believe by asking people who use them now. Light to medium pulling gas is fine, the engines are better. Diesels are encumbered by more emissions that can cause problems and are expensive. There’s a reason the light duty trucks 1/2 tons are dropping diesel power. Then there’s the cost.

05 1500HD · August 25, 2023

I’ve been reading and seeing people now are going gas due to all the emissions and the gas engines are getting better for heavier towing. I’m not sure the newer diesel engines will get the same amount of miles out of them prior to all the emissions. (90s-2000s.

diyer2 · August 25, 2023

I use Amsoil OE oil and a better quality filter for $47.

Diesel cost more per gal. takes more oil per change.

Sorry got confused. This price is for our other car, 5 qts.

Edited August 25, 2023 by diyer2

ssgballistics · August 25, 2023

I have the 6.6 gas, dad has a 21’ Duramax. If I change my own oil with Mobil 1 it comes out to $46.56 for the oil and filter. On dad’s truck it comes out to $45.85 using Mobil Delvac 1300 (synthetic blend). Gas trucks are supposed to used Dexos 1 Gen 3 (full synthetic). There is no such requirement for the 6.6 Duramax. The Duramax fuel filter gets changed about every other oil change. Locally they are $40 +/-, but can be had at rock auto for around $26. As you can see, the difference between the two is minor if you do your own work. If you take it to a dealership, it can be upwards of double the cost to service the Duramax. Dad took his truck in for service yesterday, I think he said it was around $150 for oil change and tire rotation.

SoCal Angler · August 25, 2023

A few things come to mind...

I owned two diesels (7.3L and 5.9L) before all the DEF emissions. I used to tow 2-3 different trailers over those years (TT and 5er), 15-20 times per year (700 miles RT) and trailers weighted approx. 10K-12K. Diesels back then were fairly simple and I performed my own basic maintenance on them. MPG and durability was great! Never had a break down...BUT sold them BEFORE that happened. I know parts and labor on diesels is going to cost 2-5X more than a gas engine, maybe more on the newer DEF engines.

If you tow 10K+ regularly, and/or tow great distances (1000+ mile trips) several times per year, a diesel will work less and be more comfortable towing/driving 8K+. The repair/maintenance costs are what they are. If you DIY.....oil, filters, etc....cost differences are within $50. Take it in for these services...at least twice the price!

I just purchased a new '23 GMC 3500HD 6.6L GAS with 6 Speed. Why? I wanted simple, easy/cost less to maintain, and cost MUCH less when something breaks. Plus, in my older age, I love the smooth/quiet power of gas engines! My rattle days are looong gone!

I currently tow under 8K, will no longer tow over 10K, I tow my TT maybe 2-3 trips per year that are 1000+ miles RT, several trips a year that are 700 miles or less RT, and tow my 2500# fishing boat regularly (2-3 times per week) to go fishing, and the gas engine will handle these jobs with ease!

Just like any proper tool.....Get the right truck for the job!

NOTE: Many people purchase diesel and/or 4x4 because they just like those attributes.,...not necessarily because they need or will use them. It's what they WANT!

Good luck and enjoy whatever you purchase!

crspangenberg · September 19, 2023

Another point to this, I have a 22 Duramax, I do all my own maintenance. I buy oil from Costco. It is $38 for the oil and about $14 for the filter. Easy and cheap. The dealership would charge closer to $150 for the oil change on my truck in SoCal. A Fuel filter can be had on amazon for $27 and takes about 15 minutes to change. The dealership charged a buddy of mine $300 to do his fuel filter. All depends on where you go and what you are willing to do yourself.

newdude · September 19, 2023

On 8/25/2023 at 2:16 PM, 05 1500HD said:

What is the cost difference in maintenance between gas and diesel?

right now I pay close between $75-$100 for an oil change on my ‘15 Silverado 1500.

I know there are other maintenance as well like the turbos and such on the diesels vs gas. Just trying to weigh out all of my options before deciding which platform I want to go on my next truck.

Gas HD - Engine oil, transfer case (if 4x4), front (if 4x4) and rear diffs, cabin and engine filters and transmission fluid.

Diesel HD - Engine oil, transfer case (if 4x4), front (if 4x4) and rear diffs, transmission, cabin, engine and fuel filters.

Lets keep this simple, just using Walmart pricing for DIY on oil change.

Diesel. Mobil Delvac 1300 10 quart jug is $34.78. AC Delco PF26 filter is $15.29.

Gas. Filter is $9.47. Oil, lets play cheap devil advocate, SuperTech 5w30 synthetic, one 5qt just $18.98, 3 quarts at $4.98 each so $33.92 for oil.

So $50.07 for a diesel oil change DIY, $43.39 for DIY gas oil change.

Diffs and transfer case will be the same for both trucks. Severe service schedule is 22,500mi on the transfer case, $9.60/qt you need 2 quarts. Diffs figure $23/qt, you need about 6 quarts to do them both, severe svc. is every 45,000mi.

Transmission. If gas 6 speed, system is 12-13 quarts capacity. 10 speed both gas and diesel is 22.08 quarts. If you love your truck, you'd probably change the transmission every 50,000mi. 6 speed gas is $9.60/qt. 10 speed is $9.42/qt. If you just did a pan drop plan on 15 quarts.

Fuel filter. Dealer it retails for $69.38, but can be had under $50.

nards444 · September 19, 2023

On 8/25/2023 at 3:55 PM, 05 1500HD said:

I’ve been reading and seeing people now are going gas due to all the emissions and the gas engines are getting better for heavier towing. I’m not sure the newer diesel engines will get the same amount of miles out of them prior to all the emissions. (90s-2000s.

Owned a 21 Duramax now into a 22 GMC gasser. while the 6.6 is better then the 6.0 its not on the same planet as the diesel. Every day driving you probably wont notice much, although my 22 is a complete dog in certain rpm ranges. I switched out because $200 fill ups for minor hauling just wasnt worth it.

nards444 · September 19, 2023

If your talking routine maint the cost negligible. Going to dealer your going to pay double for the oil change. Do it yourself cost will be close to the same, newer duramaxes dont take that much oil, older power strokes had like 14 qts, think my 21 was only like 8. And youll be doing fuel filters a year.

Here is where the cost in the diesel comes, the 10k upfront charge, break fix maint on the engine is probably about double the cost if that occurs, and while a diesel gets 15-20% better mpg your going to spend 70 cents to 1.50 more per gallon at fill up or another $17 bucks up to $50 more a fill up.

Bottom line is youll never save money or recoup the cost of the diesel unles that truck is your job.

Edited September 20, 2023 by nards444