Midlane Truck & Trailer Repair has been the leading source for diesel repair in Eugene, OR since we first opened our doors. Diesel engines are common in fleet vehicles, municipality service vehicles, semi-trucks, and pickup trucks. Diesel is even becoming a more popular choice for family vehicles and here at Mid Lane in Eugene Oregon, we are here to be your #1 automotive service center.
Our shop provides service for diesel engines of all sizes. We use the latest diagnostic tools to ensure your diesel engine is running as it should and are proud to offer the best diesel repair in Eugene, OR.
Diesel engines are exceptionally reliable, but they do need regular maintenance in order to stay in top condition.
You must keep your diesel engine’s oil and filters changed at regular, scheduled intervals. Because diesel engines do not have electrical ignition parts such as plugs and wires, there are fewer components within the vehicle that need to be maintained. Still, you do need to make sure that the regular maintenance that does need to be performed on your diesel vehicle is done by a shop such as ours that understands and is experienced in working with diesel engines.
Problems such as leaky gaskets, cooling system issues, overheating, air and oil filtration issues, fuel system restrictions, dirty injectors, piston scoring, faulty injection timers and hard starting can be solved by bringing your diesel vehicle to the knowledgeable and experienced team in Eugene, OR.
One consideration is price. Diesel engines cost more to build and are an extra cost option for most vehicles. So, Oregon residents need to do the math to see how long it will take the increased to pay for the extra up-front cost of a diesel engine. The cost of diesel fuel in Oregon is also a factor. There is no clear correlation between gas prices and diesel prices because the refining and distribution systems are so different. This means that the difference in price per gallon/liter for diesel and gasoline can vary a great deal depending on where you live in Oregon. Just watch diesel and gas prices for a while (or talk with a diesel owner) so you can get a feel for how much price per gallon/liter figures into your purchase decision.
Also important to know is your expected use of the vehicle. For example, if you tow heavy trailers or haul heavy loads, the extra power many diesel engines offer (while getting better fuel economy than a gas engine) may help you make your decision. Your highway/city driving mix may play into the decision as well. Diesels shine in the highway fuel economy department. And the more you drive in a year, the more attractive diesel engines become.
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, remember that it still requires maintenance like your gas-powered vehicles always have. Oil changes, cooling system service, power steering, brakes, tires, etc. – all need to be maintained. Some of the schedules may be different because of the unique design of diesel engines. We’ll be able to help you properly maintain your diesel vehicle, helping it last longer and continue to deliver great performance and efficiency.
When someone mentions diesels around Eugene Oregon, images of smoky, rattly trucks may spring to mind. The fact is that the modern, clean diesel engine is much more refined than in the old days. Sure, diesel engines remain a very popular choice with heavy duty pick-up truck drivers, but they are finding their way into nearly every segment of the automotive market. Why is that? Well, it’s science. Diesel fuel contains more energy than the same amount of gasoline. So, it takes less diesel fuel to do the same amount of work as gas, so diesel drivers get more miles per gallon/kilometers per liter and lower emissions. In Europe, where fuel is very expensive and good fuel economy is very important, around half of passenger vehicles are powered by diesel engines. This goes for small economy cars all the way up to the world’s most luxury vehicles. The driving experience is also very good with diesel engines. In fact, Eugene residents may not even be able to tell the difference between riding in or driving a diesel-powered vehicle. So, what are the factors to when deciding whether to choose a diesel engine?
Diesel Pickup Trucks From Chevy, Ford, Nissan, Ram: Ultimate Guide
Diesel has been an option for our heavy-duty pickup clients for quite some time now, and the sights and sounds of a big Power Stroke-equipped Ford or Cummins engine RAM will be quite familiar to most in our community.
It took a little longer than expected for diesel fuel to find acceptance in the light-duty, full-size pickup market, but that has changed–and many diesel trucks have taken to our roadways and highways, improving hugely on their gasoline-powered counterparts.
With diesel trucks from Chevy, Ford, Nissan and RAM now available, we’ve pulled them all into an ultimate diesel truck guide.
Chevrolet
Chevrolet Colorado, the diesel version hit the road in late 2015, as a mid-size pickup–under the hood you’ll find a 2.8-liter inline four turbodiesel, which made it at the time one of the most frugal truck on the market.
Turning to the Silverado 2500HD, owners get a 6.6-liter Duramax V-8 diesel churning out 765 pounds-feet of torque and 397 horsepower. Circle M Truck Repair clients are recording around 15 mpg from the hefty motor, but some are averaging 18, 19 and even 20 mpg. The majority of gasoline 2500HD models are averaging just 11 or 12 mpg.
Diesels, like the Duramax Diesel turbo-diesel 2.8-liter I-4 offered in the GMC Canyon small pickup truck, and the 6.6-liter turbo-diesel V-8 available in the GMC Sierra HD, offer distinct advantages that may be beneficial in how you plan on using your new truck.
Low-End Torque: Torque is the measure of an engine’s ability to move heavy loads, whether it’s a payload in a pickup box or a heavy trailer attached to the hitch. Having more torque is always a good thing, but having a substantial amount in the lower ranges of the engine’s rev band makes it easier to quickly and confidently launch a loaded truck. That is quite advantageous to Circle M Truck Repair clients in Eugene Oregon when pulling a heavy trailer on a highway on-ramp.
Because of their high cylinder compression and long piston stroke, diesel engines are generally able to produce a substantial amount of low-end torque. Certainly, GMC’s latest Duramax Diesel 6.6-liter V-8, available in the Sierra HD heavy-duty pickup trucks, provides plenty of pulling power. This state-of-the-art diesel engine produces a tremendous 910 lb-ft of torque, with over 90 percent of that power available just over 1500 rpm. Even the smaller Duramax Diesel that we service here in our Eugene Truck Center, the 2.8-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder available in the GMC Canyon, offers 369 lb-ft of torque at 2000 rpm.
Enhanced Trailering: The Diesel trucks that we service at our Truck Center in Eugene OR., often provide higher trailering ratings than comparably-equipped trucks with a gas engine. For instance, a two-wheel drive Canyon crew cab equipped with the 3.6-liter gasoline V-6 has a max trailering rating of 7000 pounds. A comparably-equipped two-wheel drive Canyon crew cab equipped with the available Duramax Diesel 2.8-literI-4, however, has a max trailering rating of 7700 pounds –the highest towing rating of any midsize pickup. We strive to get the most out of your diesel truck, just let us know your intended use for the vehicle while in for service.
Exhaust Braking: Both of the Duramax Diesel engines are offered with an exhaust brake, which leverages engine compression to help slow the vehicle down and provide Eugene drivers with enhanced control, especially on steep hills. Using the exhaust brake can slow a truck on long, steep stretches with reduced wear on the conventional brake system. Contact a Circle M Truck Repair Service Advisor for more information on this braking system.
Improved Efficiency: There is not many models out there with a better ability to operate efficiently than the Canyon Diesel. Canyon’s available 2.8-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder allows it to offer impressive EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings. Two-wheel drive Canyon Diesel models are EPA rated at an impressive 31 mpg highway. Let Circle M Truck Repair Technicians in Eugene Oregon get the most efficiency out of your diesel trucks.
Ford
Ford rolled out its Super Duty lineup, where a 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbodiesel sits next to a 6.2-liter gasoline V-8 in the lineup. Torque and power are the main missions here: 800 lb-ft at 1,600 rpm for the former, and 400 horsepower for the latter. The EPA doesn’t record fuel economy figures for heavy-duty pickups, but Circle M Truck Repair clients are averaging 15-16 mpg, with several managing as high as 18-19 mpg. By comparison, the gasoline models are barely bettering 13 mpg–making the diesel almost 25% more efficient, on average.
Nissan
Nissan recently announced its turbo-diesel Titan, one of the most powerful of the new breed of turbo-diesel trucks. Using a 5.0-liter V-i8 turbodiesel unit developed by Cummins, we’ve found that horsepower comfortably tops 300 and torque in the mid-500 lb-ft range.
Cummins builds the V-8 at its Columbus plant, before Nissan slots it into Titan bodies at its Canton, Mississippi, assembly plant. Fuel efficiency ratings are better than the Titan’s old 15 mpg gasoline V-8.
RAM
Like Nissan, RAM is another brand that returned diesel to the light-duty pickup market after a long absence. The 2014 RAM 1500 EcoDiesel uses a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6 that has become familiar over the years–and also appears in the Jeep Grand Cherokee and potentially other Chrysler models.
It’s less powerful than the Nissan–240 hp and 420 lb-ft is your lot here–but that’s hardly likely to be an issue for most Dodge Ram lovers, and Chrysler boasts “best in class” fuel efficiency. That’s something the Nissan, with its V-8 engine, isn’t likely to beat.
Diesel Repair Eugene, OR
Whether you drive a pickup or a semi truck, if your vehicle has a diesel engine it is important to have a diesel expert on your side. And in Eugene, that diesel expert is Midlane Truck & Trailer Repair. Our team will ensure that your deisel vehicle remains in the best possible condition.
For diesel repair in Eugene, OR call us today to schedule an appointment.