Should I get Silverado 1500 with 3.0L Duramax? - All, Recently bought a 2020 3L Duramax Silverado 4x4 1500 LTZ...and I love it. I am the son of a trucker ...

All,

Recently bought a 2020 3L Duramax Silverado 4x4 1500 LTZ...and I love it.

I am the son of a trucker (in the 70's) and spent my younger years in a Mack. With my dad - hauling coal, sand (to make glass), clay and after having a Silverado 1500 gas 5.3, I figured it would be great to have a diesel. Did I say that I love my new truck?

The down side - The Duramax 3.0L was a $2k+ option, Have to add DEF, have to put anti-gelling additive in the fuel (in winter), tough to find 0-20W oil (DexosD) which is very light for a diesel, should carry an extra fuel filter(and socket to remove) in case of wax buildup, remember to plug in block heater when cold...... blah, blah, blah.

MPG are far better than gas, but any savings in MPG are eaten up by the extra costs of maintaining this light duty diesel. My point - make sure that you understand what you getting into when choosing to go diesel in a 1500. Think, "do I need a diesel and is the ROI (return on Investment) there for what I need in a truck"?

I love this truck, but a gas model would have been easier, much cheaper and need less care and feeding. I am sure many of you will take exception and shred my thinking.

Did I say I love this truck?

I hear you on that. I’m still in the process of deciding on a 2500 diesel or gas. Too many short runs tells me gas but towing a 5th wheel and boat tells me diesel. Guys are telling me a 6.0 gas will do it albeit not as good as a diesel. Cost of purchase and maintenance is always a factor.
Decisions, decisions!!


2013 Silverado LT CC 1500 Z71 5.3 4WD 3:42’s all stock

I would have to consider the 3.0, despite the added cost/maintenance, just to avoid the new DFM system on the gas motors.

Just wait until they come out with a new, unlocked ECM for the new 3.0 and you'll cut the maintenance and issues by 95%. Then we'll really see what that engine can do.

Modern diesels really do not require nearly as much added maintenance as people make them out to need. You have one extra filter and one extra fluid compared to the gas trucks, that being a fuel filter and DEF (if you still run it). Besides that, everything else is very similar. And now that the gas motors take 8 quarts of oil, your only adding another 2 quarts for the 6.6L and only 7 for the 3.0, so that's close enough to call a wash imo.

These trucks start so good that plugging them in isn't needed until you get into the temps well below zero.

I Iove this truck. Of course, my last truck was a 2010 Silverado. The heated steering wheel alone is worth the price of admission...;-)). I pull a trailer a few times a year so most of my driving is with little load. I love to talk about low end torque to friends (I guess a guy thing). I have learned to be very careful with parts/garage guys - all they hear is Dexos and you have to educate them on Dexos D. If you don't DIY then make sure they have the oil (and filter) before they pull the drain plug

from what i’ve seen, the diesels don’t pencil out financially as an improvement over the gas trucks, when you consider the additional expenses involved. so if you’re gonna buy a diesel, don’t do it to save money. but when you look at the benefits, the nice flat power curve, much longer range, much more relaxed towing experience, there is still an awful lot to be said for a diesel.

I had the option to do either the 5.3, or the 3.0 diesel. Both were available with the options I wanted. Given the small amount of towing I do, and that I've owned a 5.3 before, I kinda went with what I knew. But it would be a fun engine to own, just because it's cool and different. Not sure I could justify it any other way, though, for the way I use my truck.

No need to add antigel in the winter, diesel in the winter already has the antigel additives in them. Block heater no need to plug in until the temps are -10 or colder. Do some research their are a few oils that meet the dex specs. I supply a large company with their kits for oil changes for their diesels and i had looked it up to something we have already but they want the GM Oil.. I don't mind i just call GM and give them a large order and pick it up a week later.. Saves me a lot of time..hehe

I'm in the decision making process myself. My last 3 vehicles were duramax's (07, 07.5, and 05). I don't pull anything anymore other than the occasional trip to get my tractor to bushhog (kubota L4701), and thats pretty rare. Or get the 6.2.. All of my diesels have been tuned and built trans, but I think the EPA is cracking down big time on that, so I don't know

I wouldn't buy any diesel with the intention of tuning.