Difference between #1 & #2 Diesel?

[SHyans]

A local station I found has both these options for diesel fuel. What is the difference between them? Is one preferable over the other? If so, why?

I read somewhere in my manual that one of them would have to be diluted with the other when using it. Don't remember which though.

Manual is out in the truck... .

 

[J.Davy]

#2 has more energy it is summer stuff ,you will make more power on it and get better milage. #1 is winter fuel can be diesel based or kerosene based,it is much thinner and has a lower gelling point.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

NO options here - it's #1 when winter hits - running around unloaded, I can't see any power difference, and we don't tow the RV in the winter anyway...



The truck stays in the garage, and temps haven't been low enough for a fuel gelling threat anyway...

 

[NLamke]

A friend of mine owns a gas station/truck stop and says that #1 is a winter fuel that is actually different from #2 and does not produce as much power and mpg's as #2, but has a much lower gelling temperature. (I believe it's somewhere around -40 degrees) If compared to gasoline, it would be like #1 would be 70 octane and #2 would be 90 octane (diesel fuel is not rated in octane though). #1 can be mixed with #2 half and half for temps down to like -15 I think he said, don't remember exactly. The winter fuel he sells is actually #2 blended with an additive that actually prevents gelling, increases power and mpg's.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Many stations around MT and WY use a "winter blend" of 50% #2 and 50% #1.

 

[J.Davy]

I have noticed as much as 200 km per tank difference from summer fuel to winter fuel. But the winter part of that has alot to do with that as well.

 

[rbattelle]

What I am about to say is purely my opinion:



Never ever run straight #1 diesel in your truck. It doesn't have the lubricity of #2 and it will harm your fuel system. If you must run straight #1 then do like Gary does and add major lubricity-enhancing additives (I believe Gary uses PS and ashless 2-stroke oil).



Here is some data on #1 and #2:



#1 (Light Diesel Oil):

Chemical Formula - C12H26

Molecular Weight - 170

Specific Gravity - 0. 876

Higher Heating Value - 19240 Btu/lbm

Lower Heating Value - 18250 Btu/lbm



#2 (Medium Diesel Oil):

Chemical Formula - C13H28

Molecular Weight - 184

Specific Gravity - 0. 920

Higher Heating Value - 19110 Btu/lbm

Lower Heating Value - 18000 Btu/lbm



Diesel fuel is rated by its cetane number. Cetane number is determined by running a CI engine on a mixture of cetane (C16H34), and alpha-methylnaphthalene (C10H7CH3) which gives the same delay as the fuel under test. The percentage of cetane in the mixture is then termed the "cetane number" of the fuel under test. This is very similar to the way gasoline is tested.



Again, this is just my opinion. I encourage everyone to carry out their own research into the matter and come to their own conclusions.



-Ryan

 

[LightmanE300]

#1 is pretty similar to kerosene. It really should only be blended for winter use, and even then I'd use a lubricity additive or some biodiesel. I'd never run straight #1.

 

[ak_fleming]

# 1 diesel is #2 that has gone through a extra refining process to have the paraffin (wax) removed, thus the higher price. # 1 is mixed with #2 in various ratios to produce winterized #2. Refiners will change the ratio of #1/#2 throughout the winter to keep costs as low as possible while attempting to maintain low gelpoint temps.

Because of the extreme cold here in Alaska I use #1 exclusively in the winter with no ill effects, because the wax has been removed I do use an additive for lubrication.

if you would like to know more about diesel fuels (http://www.powerservice.com) has a lot of interesting information.

 

[JLovas]

SHyans~ If I were you, given your location, I'd just run #2 and add Power Service's Diesel Fuel Supplement (comes in a white jug and is widely available). The folks at Power Service guarantee no gelling down to -40. Its what I use here in ND and I've been very happy with it, and we will often see temps below -30 and approach -40.



Straight #2 with no anti-gel supplements will gel at about 0 degrees. Don't know about straight #1, but the -40 mentioned earlier would sound about right.

 

[SHyans]

Wow, thanks for all the real great info guys. This clears up a lot for me. As new member of the Dodge family it is great to have such a great resource of experienced owners out there.

Steve

 

[SHyans]

SHyans~ If I were you, given your location, I'd just run #2 and add Power Service's Diesel Fuel Supplement (comes in a white jug and is widely available).

Is this stuff available at places like Pep Boys or do I need to look at deisel specialty shops?

 

[LightmanE300]

Just about any auto parts store, walmart, kmart, etc, will have it.

 

[SHyans]

Just about any auto parts store, walmart, kmart, etc, will have it.

I struck out at both Pep Boys and Checker Auto parts... . makes me believe WM and KM in SLC wouldn't have it either... . I'll keep at it. I hate WM and KM!

 

[JVolpe]

The Wally-Worlds around here always have Power Service and about as cheap as it gets.



I use it every tank, of course not for the anti-gel but for extra lub and protection from Wally-World Murphy Diesel.



Temp here almost never drops below freezing.

 

[FCecelin]

What Ak_fleming said... . Some of you might remember when Greyhound and some local transit companys used to run #1 diesel all year long . .