The cost per mile should also include DEF, oil changes, and fuel filter
I haven't yet set my service intervals, and I'm taking recommendations. I change my Frontier's oil with synthetic every 5k and filter (I'm not going to get into brands). My impression is that the EcoDiesel will be fine with 10k changes on a good synthetic oil. So even if it's 2x the cost, it's half as often.
For the last 10+ years, I have always set my intervals to the odometer. (5, 10, 15k....) or (10, 20, 30k...) or (20, 40, 60k...), this way it's self correcting. If I try to count 5,000mi from the
last change, then procrastination will cause my schedule to slowly creep.
All that math? Yeah, great.
Argument with the wife? Yeah, she wins.
I can't say we don't get into a lot of arguments, but saving money is usually an argument I'm allowed to make my case. No one can believe how good my fuel economy is in such a large vehicle, compared to my Frontier. What's crazy is driving my Frontier, now. I feel like I'm hopping into a Miata.
Yes, when also considering the diesel fuel filter change with every 2nd oil change or every 20k. I'm sure the driveway cost isn't too bad, but then you have to deal with the non-evaporative fuel of Satan sloshing into a drip pan. The dealership cost I'm sure is much higher, but you save time and grime.
Then again I didn't do the math and one day I'll have purchase 16 spark plugs
That reminds me, what brand spark plugs should I consider for the EcoDiesel?
(joke)
Do it. You'll feel much better. Get the right gears this time, too.
View attachment 131698
How the EcoDiesel Drives:
How the Hemi Drives:
The smoker trucks take 9 quarts of oil? Wow.
My old M5 was 10qt (10L), $15/Liter, plus a $25 filter. Of course, the tires were $1,000 for just the rears. I think I've become numb to the cost of things, so long as they don't put me into bankruptcy.
Diesel to gas is about 6 mpg difference in the real world, Looks like a win for the Eco. The cost of fuel makes it hard to justify the diesel. Add this with the initial cost, oil change costs, fuel filters and DEF. Finally, the big but…. Long term durability and maintenance costs. Drove both for an extended period of time. Got 29 mpg a few times but in the 100K miles I put on the Eco it is rare. Real mpg average with my daily commute was 23 with the Eco, 100 round trip daily. Anyone claiming they average 29 is driving flat roads, no wind, the speed limit (well under 70 mph) and summer fuel. For me, so much happier with the Hemi.
Forget how small my Frontier feels, NOW. I've always driven my Frontier around like it was a little Integra Type R. As someone who only drove around in small sports cars, the Frontier seemed large, but it was still something I could toss around, throw into a parking spot, or squeezing through traffic. I could even properly drift it in the rain. I'm one of the most batshit crazy Florida drivers out there. I share a route home with my coworker, who owns a Hemi Charger. He doesn't even try to keep up with me.
But in the 1500, I just don't have that desire. The EcoDiesel isn't slow, in fact I think it's the same 0-60 as my Frontier. It's enough for me to take whatever lane I want when I'm in heavy traffic, but considering the size I just don't get any pleasure launching and tossing a 6,000lb piece of industrial-sized equipment. Here are 2 vehicles with about the same 0-60, but I drive them SO differently:
And, yes, the last fill up? I had to run my card twice because the pump limit per purchase was $125. Joy.
Lucky bastard. Most pumps limit me to $100, still. The Frontier has a secondary tank in the bed, so I've been doing $160 (38-gal) fill-ups for a little while now, and I always have to run my membership/payment/discount cards twice in a row. The 33-gal Diesel is no different.
I've now gotten into the habit of warning people behind me that I'm about to pump $200.
(Interestingly, a bit of a hill at low 60s drops the rpm to about 1,000. Even if the torque is sufficient, the programming will downshift. So, too slow means a lot of 7th gear.)
