Using my 42 real - world diesel mpg, which most drivers should be able to match, against the 30 highway mpg rating of the gas - engine Equinox 1.5 T, and using the AAA's late - May average fuel prices of $ 3.20 a gallon for diesel (plus $ 5 for a gallon
of diesel exhaust fluid good for 10,000 to 12,000 miles), versus $ 2.96 a gallon for regular unleaded gasoline, yields a cost per mile of 9.07 cents for diesel and DEF; 9.87 cents per mile for gasoline.
Like every GMC vehicle, the 2015 Sierra All Terrain HD comes with two years of scheduled maintenance, which includes
diesel exhaust fluid refills, a three - year / 36, 000 mile bumper - to - bumper warranty and a five - year / 100, 000 mile powertrain warranty.
This engine requires an exhaust treatment system that relies on a urea solution
called diesel exhaust fluid (it gives pollutants in the exhaust a chemical to react with to turn them into less harmful emissions).
The A8 TDI's engine does require regular refilling of the
AdBlue diesel exhaust fluid, a fluid used to keep the diesel emissions clean.
Choosing this engine means having to mind your urea: in solution
as diesel exhaust fluid, it reduces the turbodiesel's emissions, but the storage tank must be refilled every 4000 miles; the only bigger nuisance would be having a cow to milk twice a day.
It's worth noting that 2010 emissions regulations require an
extra diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) combined with a rather complicated three - stage selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system to practically eliminate tailpipe emissions.
The automaker also notes it paid close attention to packaging ancillary equipment like fuel tanks, wiring harnesses, and
diesel exhaust fluid reservoirs to ensure nothing protrudes behind the cab.
The Colorado comes to the clean diesel game with tricks like cooled exhaust - gas recirculation,
diesel exhaust fluid injection and more in hopes of keeping the miles per gallon high and emissions low.
Unimpressive diesel acceleration when passing; large turning circle demands ample maneuvering room;
tiny diesel exhaust fluid tank requires more frequent attention; modest 26 - gallon fuel tank with no upgrade available; alternative cab and bed configurations still months away.
Part of the option cost goes to the diesel exhaust cleanup system, which requires refills of its 8 -
gallon diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank every 10,000 miles.
Cost to refresh
the diesel exhaust fluid would make all but the owners of $ 80,000 SUVs flinch.
You will also have to refill
the diesel exhaust fluid canister at each oil change to keep the truck emissions - friendly.
A new capless fuel filler on diesel models has side - by - side ports for fuel and
the diesel exhaust fluid now used with these engines to curb emissions.
The company predicts a refill of
the diesel exhaust fluid canister (mounted out of sight beneath the bed) should last 7,500 miles under normal use — conveniently the same as the oil - change interval.