The Chevy Silverado is one of the most popular trucks in the world. Because of its high demand, Chevy now offers plenty of engine options and configurations for the Silverado. Each engine is built to function in its own unique way, impacting the kind of fuel it uses, either regular gas or diesel. We have researched this subject to get you all the information that you need!
The Chevy Silverado can be configured to use either gas or diesel. It all depends on what kind of engine you decide to buy in your Silverado. No engine options take both gas and diesel, but there are plenty of options to choose from, which takes gas, and one option takes diesel: the 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I6 engine.
Is it better to buy a gas or diesel truck? Is gas or diesel better for towing? Should I put premium gas in my Silverado? Should I use a diesel fuel additive in my Silverado? Keep reading below as we explain further and answer these other common questions in detail.
Is It Better To Buy A Gas Or Diesel Truck?
Deciding whether to purchase a gas or diesel truck is not as simple as figuring out which one is better. They both have pros and cons to them, which ultimately leads to people basing their decision on their specific wants and needs. To help you decide, we will look at the pros of both a gas engine and a diesel engine.
Pros Of A Gas Engine
The first advantage of gas engines is something you have probably noticed if you have spent any time at a gas pump: gas is typically cheaper than diesel. While fuel prices are constantly fluctuating, diesel is almost always more expensive. In 2018, gasoline's average price was $2.88, while the average diesel price was $3.17.
The second advantage is the cost of ownership. Gas vehicles are much more affordable than their diesel-powered counterparts. Diesel engines are usually used to power much bigger and stronger vehicles, which typically cost more to buy. Gas-powered cars are much more affordable.
Finally, there are typically more options when looking at gas vehicles. Almost any car you find at a dealership or online is going to use gas unless stated otherwise. This allows you to be much pickier with the car you choose to find the perfect fit for you. Included in all the options are specialty vehicles powered by gas, such as hybrids.
Silverado Gas Options
The Chevy Silverado has four different gas engine options. These include a 2.7L Turbo engine, a 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 engine, a 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine, and a 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine with DFM. The first three engines are available in the WT model. The 2.7L and 5.3L are available in the LT and RST models. Finally, the 5.3L is available in the LTZ and High Country models. The custom Trail Boss configuration also offers the 4.3L, 5.3L, and a special 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine option. The LT Trail Boss offers all the same options except for the 4.3L.
Pros Of A Diesel Engine
While diesel engines may not have as many options, they are built to last. Experts say that diesel engines are much more durable and reliable than gas vehicles. You can expect a gas-powered truck to last anywhere from 200,000 to 300,000 miles or more, while diesel trucks are known to hit 400,000 miles regularly. For many people, this is reason enough to buy a diesel engine because they will get a much longer life out of the vehicle.
Another pro is the diesel's power. Diesel engines are known for being able to tow much more than gas vehicles. Their engines are built for heavy-duty work and can provide much more power than traditional gas engines.
Finally, diesel engines are known to have fewer maintenance issues. One of the worst parts of car ownership is dealing with unexpected costs when something goes breaks or malfunctions. Luckily, diesel engines usually require minimal work compared to gas engines. This means you may end up saving much more money, in the long run, owning a diesel truck even though you may pay a little more for diesel fuel.
Silverado Diesel Options
The Chevy Silverado offers a 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I6 engine in many of its models. These models are the LT, RST, LTZ, and High Country.
Is Gas Or Diesel Better For Towing?
Diesel engines are better for towing. This is because they can tow much heavier loads with ease because of how a diesel engine is built. What this means is the diesel engine can tow a lot more with a lot less. With that being said, the Chevy Silverado offers many competitive towing options which come in both gas and diesel configurations.
The single diesel option they offer for the 2020 Silverado 1500 trucks can tow up to 15,000 lbs. This is quite a large towing capacity for a standard-sized truck. In contrast, the 4.3L V6 option can only 12,800 lbs. The largest (most expensive) gas engine offered on the highest trim level can tow up to 19,000 lbs. with all the upgrades. This costs much more than most Duramax diesel options, so the diesel remains the better choice when comparing towing capacity and price.
Should I Put Premium Gas In My Silverado?
It depends. The Chevy Silverado comes in many different models with plenty of engines to choose from. Depending on the type of engine you choose, you may or may not need premium fuel. Each engine is designed to run best with a certain type of fuel, so if your Silverado is designed to run on premium fuel, you should only use premium fuel.
The only gas engine in a Chevy Silverado which requires premium fuel is the 6.2L V8. This engine is the biggest and highest-cost engine in the gasoline lineup, so it is no surprise it requires the best fuel. All other gas engines offered in the Silverado are built to run excellently on regular fuel. Diesel typically only has one pump at gas stations, meaning there are no diesel variants you will have to worry about.
All in all, putting premium fuel in your tank will not harm your vehicle. It may not help much, but it is known to increase the possibility of vehicles lasting longer.
One important thing to remember is never putting gasoline in a diesel engine or diesel in a gasoline engine. If you ever do, by accident, immediately call a mechanic/professional and do not attempt to start the vehicle.
Should I Use A Diesel Fuel Additive In My Silverado?
You can, but it is not necessary. Diesel fuel additives are known to save fuel and keep issues/bugs out. They can help improve the life of your engine by keeping it free and clear of problems. They do not prevent all issues from occurring, but they can help over time if you are consistent.
As the name suggests, you should only use fuel additives in Chevy Silverados fit with diesel engines. Gas engines do not need the same time of additives. Deciding whether or not to use diesel fuel additives is much like deciding whether to use premium gas. While it may be helpful in the long run, it is not necessary. However, diesel fuel additives seem to make much more of a difference in actual preventative measures than the premium fuel argument.
Summary
In conclusion, buying a Chevy Silverado allows you to customize your truck in many more ways than other car companies offer. With plenty of models and engines to choose from, you can purchase a Silverado tuned perfectly to your liking. Chevy has made sure to give consumers complete control over creating their Silverado from heavy-duty diesel engines to more fuel and cost-efficient engines.
Interested in learning more about Chevy Silverados? Check out this article: Does The Chevy Silverado Require Synthetic Oil?
Want to customize your Chevy Silverado? Click here to learn more about grille guards: 11 Grille Guards That Will Look Great On Your Chevy Silverado