Ford F-250: Gas vs. Diesel
Make the best choice for your needs when buying a Ford F-250 or F-350 Super Duty.
This article applies to the Ford Super Duty (2005-2022).
From price to sound to performance, gas and diesel trucks differ greatly. These trucks aren't cheap, so you want to get the one that best suits your needs. There's nothing worse than buying a gas truck and realizing you really needed a diesel, or visa versa. This article will compare the differences between the two in performance and maintenance, and answer some common questions about them.
Price
When buying used, the difference between a gas and diesel truck can be pretty large, as diesel is a better value in terms of trucks with higher mileage than gas pickups. If you want the added capability of a diesel, you'll definitely pay for it. The average resale price for a 2013 regular F-250 gas truck is around $8,000 less than its diesel counterpart, for example. In terms of a brand new Super Duty, upgrading to the 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel over the base 6.2-liter gas V8 costs around $10,000 - a significant amount of money by anyone's standards.
Related Articles
- 2013 Ford F-250 Price Range - Motortrend.com
- 2013 Ford F-250 Standard Equipment - Cars.com
MPG
On average, a diesel will return around 25-45% better fuel economy than a gas Super Duty, both unloaded and loaded, which equates to around 3-5 MPG. This is particularly notable for those that tend to haul heavy loads over long distances, which is where diesel trucks truly shine. However, this shouldn't be the only deciding factor - you need to consider the higher initial, maintenance, and repair costs of a diesel too. It'll be a long time before the higher costs will offset the extra MPG.
Hauling Capability
The towing capability of the diesel really shines when coupled with a gooseneck hitch, which can be used to tow a travel or horse trailer, for example. Normal hauling in the bed and conventional towing will be about the same for both, because these two are limited by the frame and cab configuration. However, when it comes to the gooseneck, the diesel really takes the lead by towing up to 37,000 pounds in the latest version of the Super Duty. Meanwhile, the 2022 Super Duty equipped with Ford's gas 7.3-liter V8 can tow up to 20,000 pounds, while the diesel can pull as much as 24,200 pounds, though only certain configurations can achieve these impressive numbers.
Reliability
On average, diesel trucks will outlast gas trucks by 100-200k miles or more when properly maintained. However, the cost of diesel maintenance can offset the expense of trading up from a gasser by a good bit. Also, the 6.0L diesels and some older Ford oil burners have quite a few expensive, known problems that can pop up over time, but when fixed or bulletproofed they do run great. If you want to run the same truck for 500k+ miles, get a diesel. If you don't mind getting a different one after 250-300k, then gas is likely going to save you some money in the short term, though diesels also tend to hold their value quite well.
Scheduled Maintenance
| Maintenance Type | Applies To | Scheduled Interval (in miles) | Average Professional Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil Change | Gas | 3-7k | $30 |
| Oil Change | Diesel | 5-7k | $100 |
| Fuel Filter | Gas | 10-15k | $35 |
| Fuel Filter | Diesel | 10k | $45 |
| Coolant Flush | Gas | 100k | $150-250 |
| Coolant Flush | Diesel | Initial at 100k, every 50k after | $400-700 |
Common Questions
What's better, gas or diesel? Which one is right for me?
This is really dependent on both your use of the truck and your budget. You need to weigh the pros and cons of both and see which one fits your needs the best. Even if you only use the truck to haul light loads, some people just prefer the sound of the diesel more. Likewise, some people are fine with towing with the gas version even though the diesel would give them more headroom for bigger loads.
What are the pros and cons?
The table below gives a breakdown of some of the more common things you'll be looking for when purchasing a truck. The comparison will be based on a 2015 F-250 regular cab with the single rear wheel and base model options. However, the comparison should hold true across all trucks among the same year range with similar cab configurations.
| Comparison Item | What's Better | By How Much? |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Gas | ~$8500 |
| Normal Driving MPG | Diesel | ~3-5 MPG |
| Towing MPG | Diesel | ~3-5 MPG |
| Max Payload | Tie | N/A |
| Max Conventional Towing | Tie | N/A |
| Max 5th Wheel Towing | Diesel | ~4000 lbs. |
| Horsepower | Diesel | 55 HP |
| Torque | Diesel | 455 lb-ft. |
| Reliability | Diesel | 100-200k+ miles |
| Maintenance Cost | Gas | About 50-70% less on average |
| Warranty | Diesel | Extra 40k miles added to the 5 year warranty |
Common Issues
Diesel - 6.0L
- TTY Headbolts - Prone to stretching due to being designed as a one time use, can cause head gasket failure.
- EGR & EGR Cooler - Prone to failure due to excessive soot buildup, needs to be cleaned every oil change to prevent buildup.
- Oil Cooler - Residual sand left from the casting process can cause it to clog up.
- FICM - Premature failure due to engine heat and vibration
- Turbocharger Lag - The VGT vanes get clogged with soot causing it to get stuck in the open position.
Related Discussion
- Gas vs Diesel - Ford-trucks.com
