As of March 19, diesel prices had reached a national average of $4.14 per gallon (according to www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/). That's up nearly $0.24 from a year ago. But what do these fuel prices mean to the average diesel pickup owner?
Let's use some round figures. Say the average guy puts 20,000 miles on his diesel pickup annually, and between a mpg high of 16 empty and a low of 9 towing, he averages 12.5 mpg.
In one 12-month span, that pickup owner will purchase 1,600 gallons of ULSD fuel. At today's cost of fuel, that's an annual cost of $6,624.
That same 1,600 gallons of fuel last year (at $3.90 per gallon) cost $6,240, or $384 less.
Blame it on world events, government politics, an election year.whatever you want. It cost you almost $400 more to do the same thing this year as it did last year. That's one way to look at it.
Here's another: Take that same truck and improve its fuel economy by 2.5 mpg. At this year's fuel cost, the amount paid for a year's worth of fuel drops to $5,520. That's a savings of $1,104 in one year.
No, I'm not preaching a green movement here among diesel enthusiasts, and I'm not going to start a national campaign suggesting that everyone carry a tire pressure gauge in their chest pockets. I'm simply trying to make the point that in the world of diesel pickups, that kind of a fuel economy improvement is feasible through the use of aftermarket products.
Water/methanol kits, ECM tuners, exhaust systems, intakes, lift pumps, turbos, tonneau covers and toppers, tires, suspension parts, fuel additives, exhaust brakes, gearing, fuel injectors and other add-ons can get you there. Some trucks will gain the 2.5-plus mpg easier than others, but most trucks on the road can still see gains.
Think of it this way: investing $1,000 or even $500 now will pay for itself in months (depending on gains) and start putting money back in your wallet immediately after that.
It's like your truck will start buying a little of its own fuel. How's that for going green?