Any "which fuel brand..?" words of wisdom for a new Cummins owner?

[Bruce Beard]

We pick up our new '16 this week and I'm reading everything I can find on the subject of owning a 6.7 Cummins.
One thing I find lacking is advice about fuel brands or even where to purchase fuel.
No recent Diesel engines in my history so I am out of the loop...

I always purchase "Top Tier" gasoline and my preferred fuels are Shell and Mobile. Should I shop by brand? Location? Both?

Thanks,
Bruce

 

[NIsaacs]

I don't have a 6.7 but I have owned diesel trucks for years. I buy what is convenient/cheap as long as it matches my fuel cards. If I need fuel and there are no brands that match my cards, I will buy anything as long as the station don't look too seedy

Nick

 

[jgillott]

Try and find that one or two stations locally that do a large volume of fuel or where your local trucking companies buy. Chances are, you are going to get fresh clean fuel in those locations.

 

[TCDiesel]

Don't let anyone but you fill the truck...and I mean YOU, don't allow anyone but YOU to add DEF... and I mean YOU...DON'T EVER put DEF in the Fuel (its extremely hard to get by both gates but people DO) if you put gas in the tank don't start it, Now if you put 1 or 2 gallons OF GAS IN WITH fuel...FILL with diesel and every 1/4 tank top off with diesel 4 times and you will be OK..... Did I mention don't let anyone fill your tanks DEF/Fuel but you.....and don't use the term gas ,use the term fuel or diesel in any conversation concerning the truck.

There are two gates in the fill neck, if you don't get the nozzle past both and position correctly you will have fuel all over YOU and on the ground.

 

[Jim W]

We pick up our new '16 this week and I'm reading everything I can find on the subject of owning a 6.7 Cummins.
One thing I find lacking is advice about fuel brands or even where to purchase fuel.
No recent Diesel engines in my history so I am out of the loop...

I always purchase "Top Tier" gasoline and my preferred fuels are Shell and Mobile. Should I shop by brand? Location? Both?

Thanks,
Bruce

One thing you need to understand about Diesel fuel is that all U.S. ULSD is basically the same. The only difference is between summer and winter fuel. Depending on the geographic area you live in winter fuel maybe sold earlier or later than in the deep south. Here is a federal web site from the EPA on ULSD fuel and usage.

http://www.clean-diesel.org/vehicle_performance.html

I have seen retail stickers on Shell and Mobil along with BP stations; stating that the diesel fuel is not refined by them and is another refinery's product. So to me buying from a Walmart or Sam's club (Murphy oil) is OK to buy and cheaper than what the brand names stations charge.
Another thing to remember is your truck can operate on B20 fuel or less. I tend to try and operate on B5 or less for my truck which is a 2008.

 

[mwilson]

Don't let anyone but you fill the truck...and I mean YOU, don't allow anyone but YOU to add DEF... and I mean YOU...DON'T EVER put DEF in the Fuel (its extremely hard to get by both gates but people DO) if you put gas in the tank don't start it, Now if you put 1 or 2 gallons OF GAS IN WITH fuel...FILL with diesel and every 1/4 tank top off with diesel 4 times and you will be OK..... Did I mention don't let anyone fill your tanks DEF/Fuel but you.....and don't use the term gas ,use the term fuel or diesel in any conversation concerning the truck.

There are two gates in the fill neck, if you don't get the nozzle past both and position correctly you will have fuel all over YOU and on the ground.

1000 likes for this.....^^^^^^^^^^^^^ only you! Contamination of either fuel or DEF is a NON-Warranty failure and it's all on you. Thousands of dollars at stake.

 

[Wayne M.]

All golden info here. I've been driving diesel as a personal veh since '97, and been wrenching on diesel equipment since '89. I have never had a quality issue but I've seen them. All the above is golden advice and I'll add that I only buy at high volume stations, and never take fuel from a station receiving a delivery. I practice this with diesel and gasoline. The reasoning is that the delivery stirs up settled contaminants in the bulk tank.
Some states like New Jersey won't allow you to dispense fuel. This is why I have a locking cap. They can't do anything until I get there with the key and I supervise it.

 

[Larry Willard]

Buy at any high volume station, and skip those that don't sell much fuel, if not sure keep driving.

 

[w6pea]

Don't let anyone but you fill the truck...and I mean YOU, don't allow anyone but YOU to add DEF... and I mean YOU...DON'T EVER put DEF in the Fuel (its extremely hard to get by both gates but people DO) if you put gas in the tank don't start it, Now if you put 1 or 2 gallons OF GAS IN WITH fuel...FILL with diesel and every 1/4 tank top off with diesel 4 times and you will be OK..... Did I mention don't let anyone fill your tanks DEF/Fuel but you.....and don't use the term gas ,use the term fuel or diesel in any conversation concerning the truck.

There are two gates in the fill neck, if you don't get the nozzle past both and position correctly you will have fuel all over YOU and on the ground.

Buy at any high volume station, and skip those that don't sell much fuel, if not sure keep driving.

Try and find that one or two stations locally that do a large volume of fuel or where your local trucking companies buy. Chances are, you are going to get fresh clean fuel in those locations.

Bruce,
What the above three people said to do. Pay attention to the pump at the local gas station. If they have a Diesel Island buy your fuel there only. If you have a Truck Stop close to your home buy your fuel there.
Congratulations on your new truck. I have fo go pick up mine today or tomorrow. Also welcome to the TDR. Forum

 

[Bruce Beard]

Many thanks for the advice!
73,
Bruce (AB1KC)

 

[Tuesdak]

Here is a link to some in depth info about modern ULSD and the Biodiesel they mix in. Being as "Fuel quality" is on you AND the Factory filters are the bare minimum a fuel filter/ water separator upgrade with a heater for your climate if applicable is worth looking into. Bottom line is Biodiesel is hydrosopic. So is the ULSD, but, not as bad as Biodiesel. Better than the OEM's low bidder "warranty is on you" filter and a good water separator will save your injection system if you run into wet or dirty fuel. Water and injection systems don't mix and when they do it requires a lot of $$$$$ out of your pocket. The separate water separator is the most important upgrade to consider as combo fuel filters are finally becoming up to par depending on the brand you grab to use in the OEM spot.

Edit: Looks like modern pickups may already have separate water separator filters, finally - took them long enough!

Always get and save your fuel receipts. Because if the filter doesn't help or say they mix up gasoline and diesel during the fuel delivery you have your insurance and their insurance company to fall back on. Be warned your insurance company may try and weasel out of covering it. Something to ask your agent about in writing.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/248698-ULSD-and-Biodiesel-Exposed!

 

[w6pea]

JDoremire

Thanks for posting the link. Interesting.

 

[Wayne M.]

Wow. That's something I forgot to mention. Save the receipts!

 

[AnOldBiker]

One heck of a lot of great info for ya, and I like the one ... "don't let anyone fill your tanks DEF/Fuel but you" ...

But I'd like to mention that fuels sold in areas that do not have a refinery within, say, 300 miles, are from that is called the spot market. That is a system throughout the United States that all refineries put into. The stations call their vendors and order fuel, which is blended to specific laws and contract agreement. Which meets federal and local standards then trucked to the station. So, more or less #2 diesel and #1 diesel is just that ... from station to station. Just buy from the station that has a large turn over for fresh fuel.

On the highway trips I take, I try to find large trucker stations like Loves, Pilot, Flying J and such which has a large turn over and a constant servicing of their pumps and tanks. They depend on truckers and will do what is needed to maintain good fuel. And as mentioned above, get a quality fuel filter with the smallest micron rating to protect your injectors and injection pump. Worth every penny when you see the prices of injection replacement parts.

 

[Camperman]

Our propane supplier also sells diesel fuel. He has red & clear. This supplier sells bio free premium diesel fuel. When not traveling, and at home, I purchase the bio free clear fuel. I can see a difference in mpgs by using it. Truck seems to like it better also. Might be worth checking to see if you have any local fuel suppliers that carry premium bio free diesel. The fuel my supplier carries is a 50 cetane rated fuel.

 

[cerberusiam]

Since you already have 3 um filtration what your main worry now is water in the fuel. ULSD is absolutely terrible for holding water and drawing it, low volume cut rate stations are a big NO-NO when buying fuel. It is not worth the savings for the problems that can be had. Definitely do not get DEF in the fuel tank, that will not be a happy time.

Truck stops with high volume and newer tanks\pumps are the best bet. If you know the local EMS\Fire Station\Sheriffs department ask where they get their fuel if not contracted. A lot of smaller areas will have premium diesel that they meticulously care for and monitor due to contractual obligations.

Keeping the receipts is a good idea also, never know when you get bad fuel, or, if you pay with a card somebody steals the numbers. Always be able to point to a specific place and time if issues occur.

 

[rrnut-2]

And don't assume the color of the nozzle is diesel! Check the pump and nozzle to make sure it is diesel!

I say this because the stations that I frequent here in NH the diesel nozzle is always Green or Yellow. I went to fill up the Passat TDI in CT and the gas nozzles at the station that I
stopped at were Green. Yes, I almost killed the Passat. Fortunately my wife spotted it in time.

 

[jacknife]

Diesel unlike gas is a single source pipeline fuel. Meaning 5 different gas stations will be selling the diesel from the same distribution. just try to buy at a station that sells quite a bit so you don't end up with old fuel

We pick up our new '16 this week and I'm reading everything I can find on the subject of owning a 6.7 Cummins.
One thing I find lacking is advice about fuel brands or even where to purchase fuel.
No recent Diesel engines in my history so I am out of the loop...

I always purchase "Top Tier" gasoline and my preferred fuels are Shell and Mobile. Should I shop by brand? Location? Both?

Thanks,
Bruce

 

[jacknife]

Don't screw up and put DEF in your fuel tank if you do have it towed don't even think about starting it you will incur thousands in damage. Def lasts a long time if you are not towing. try to run it down before adding and don't worry about topping off. If you buy DEF look at the date on the container. It all has to be made the same so if you can get it cheaper then buy it. I have used the Wal Mart brand with no problem and it sell much cheaper then Blue Def. Best place to buy is at a Truck Stop at their pump, cheapest price and fresh.

 

[JacksonH]

Good mobel app for diesel is Gas Buddy, works everywhere look/find by price, distance!