Diesel #1...

[drag racer]

For you guys who live in the upper Midwest (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, etc. ), when do they start bringing out the winter fuel blend? I will be doing a road trip to northern Minnesota in mid-October, and was wondering what I am likely to run into?

 

[bmoeller]

At the truck-stops, it probably depends mostly on the temps. Even if they start blending fuel, it would still be a good idea to use a fuel additive if it is cold enough. Some around here only use 30% #1 in the blend no matter how cold it is. Haven't had any trouble with it except one time with the semi, and one time on my Ford when the fuel heater wasn't working (It had straight #2 at the time, had the truck in the shop for a several weeks when replacing the head gaskets, had one heck of a time getting parts . ). It was close to or below 0* when that happened though.

 

[illflem]

Oct 1 is the standard date for blend in the northern states, it may come earlier if the weather warrants but rarely will come later.

I ignore the blend and go to stations that offer straight #2 year round then use additive. No problems down to -30°. Problem at stations that only offer one diesel choice is that the teenager at the counter can't tell you anything. Plus you get better mpgs and power with straight #2. Some stations never use a blend but use anti-gel additive with straight #2 instead, but like I said it's hard to find a worker who knows anything.



All Conoco stations in Montana give you a choice of straight #1, #2 or blend, I assume it's this way at their stations elsewhere in the north.