When researching your next vehicle, it’s crucial to understand that routine maintenance varies significantly between gasoline and diesel engines. While both rely on internal combustion, their engine designs and maintenance needs differ.
Gasoline engines use spark plugs to ignite the fuel-air mixture, while diesel engines rely on high compression to ignite fuel without spark plugs. Diesel engines also use glow plugs to assist with cold starts. Glow plugs typically last around 100,000 miles, whereas spark plugs can vary widely in lifespan, from 18,000 to 100,000 miles.
Diesel engines generally have longer lifespans and require less frequent maintenance due to their robust design and fewer components. Many diesel engines can reach 200,000 miles before major repairs are needed, making them cost-effective despite higher upfront costs. In contrast, gas vehicles usually have lower maintenance costs but might require repairs sooner.
Cooling systems will differ as well. Diesel engines need specialized coolants and more frequent flushing due to their higher thermal demands. Gas engines use standard coolants and require less frequent maintenance.
For more details on these maintenance differences, check out the accompanying resource.
Differences In Maintenance: Gasoline Vs. Diesel Vehicles, was created by Powerhouse Diesel, a diesel part supplier
