automotive diesel ?

[akshadow]

The other day is southern california I pulled into a truck stop fuel station and there were a set of pumps for "motor homes and automotive diesel" which I used. Now I am wondering if I got no, 1 diesel and will it hurt the engine?

I am sure this has been discussed on this site but I am not smart enough to search for no. 1 the search engine says the words need to be at least 3 characters long to be a valid search.

thanks

 

[JR2]

I would not worry, usually the pumps marked automotive have normal flow nozzles and the truck pumps have high flow nozzles. The only difference being that the truck nozzles pump the fuel faster. The fuel comes out of the same tank.



I can not think of a reason that they would sell #1 diesel in SoCal, at worst it would be blended.





JR2

Alaska Diesel Bombers defacto president.

 

[Mingoglia]

The main reason why they label some as "automotive" is this fuel usually doesn't have the same fuel tax that the big trucks have to pay. Most stations just charge the same price on the small pumps to make life easier but most that I've seen that have a "automotive" side is a few cents cheaper... and of course the lower flow pumps.



Coming back from the dunes in So Ca I saw a semi/trailer pulled into the "automotive" side to fill up... took awhile, but this semi was being used to tow a 52' tractor trailer based RV. Since it was a private rig used for recreation he could legally run the cheaper stuff... although everyone was giving him dirty looks for pulling in there because the pumps were packed and he was blocking all the pumps... Ironically, this was the day I pulled over to the "big rig" side and filled my Dodge because I refused to wait an extra 15 minutes on the "automotive" side in order to save 3-4 cents/gallon. It's the same fuel...

 

[machinemover]

From what I understand is #1 diesel is like high test gasoline. (has additives and maybe a higher c-tane number)

 

[damar]

Just went into BP website on their fuel. #1 diesel has lower specific gravity meaning less energy according to their site. Winter blend is usually #2 and #1 blended to reduce the chance of gelling in cold weather. Most truck stops have a blend during the winter months as the big rigs travel all over the US and in all kinds of weather. Most truckers stay away from staright #1 unless absolutely necessary. I remember running across Nebraska in the late 80's. It was -22 degrees and I was using #1 and yet one tank gelled and had to stop for fuel twice as often as normal. I use Howes fuel treatment in tank year round for lubrication. Original lift pump with 103,000 miles and still puts out 12 lbs pressure. Have gauges on both the "in" side and "out" side of the filter to monitor pressure. When it's cold, 16-18 degrees, pressure starts about 8 lbs until the return fuel heats the fuel in the tank and then pressure goes up to 12 lbs. Just because you might get a lower pressure in the winter months, doesn't mean you have a bad lift pump. Takes up to 30+ miles on the interstate here in New Mexico to get it warmed up.

 

[nickleinonen]

I can not think of a reason that they would sell #1 diesel in SoCal, at worst it would be blended.

#1 diesel fuel also gives you better emission rating. it burns a little colder, which produces less NOx emissions. that is a big cause of smog eh...