Kentucky “diesel” v. “Auto Diesel”

[2013megacab]

I just filled up with diesel at a BP station on I-24 that had “diesel” on the sign on the highway like I always do in other states. At the next exit there was a sign for another BP station that said “auto diesel”. Did I get something other than ULSD at the first station? If so will it clog my cat?

 

[jhenderson]

You’re fine. Diesel is ULSD all over the country. It’s often referred to as auto diesel if it uses a small diameter nozzle rather than the large ones you’d find at a truck stop.

 

[TFucili]

Speculating here, but before diesels were everywhere, many times you could only find diesel at truck islands, so the big nozzle and high fueling rates meant foam, and long fill times. I ran into this frequently in the mid-80s with my first diesel pickup w/6.9. So, if it said auto diesel, that meant the pumps had small nozzles, and you didn't have to fill up at the big-truck island. Sometimes the road tax may be different, aside from off-road read-dyed fuel.

 

[2013megacab]

Speculating here, but before diesels were everywhere, many times you could only find diesel at truck islands, so the big nozzle and high fueling rates meant foam, and long fill times. I ran into this frequently in the mid-80s with my first diesel pickup w/6.9. So, if it said auto diesel, that meant the pumps had small nozzles, and you didn't have to fill up at the big-truck island. Sometimes the road tax may be different, aside from off-road read-dyed fuel.

Thanks guys. I was sensitized by filling at another BP in FL. About half way through I noticed the sticker on the pump said low sulfur diesel illegal for use in highway vehicles. After an investigation the owner came out. It turned out that the supplier had put the wrong decal on the pump. This pump had no decal of any kind, but the fuel stains on the pavement were not red.

Al

 

[jhenderson]

All diesel sold in the U.S. today is ULSD, including off road and home heating oil. The red dye only signifies its tax free and illegal for on road use.

 

[DavidC]

In Az. if you use the truck islands the cost per gallon is higher for the road tax and you have to go inside for your credit where the car lane already compensates at a lower price.

Dave

 

[jhenderson]

Everybody pays the same amount per gallon in road tax. The posted price at the truck island is high because virtually every trucking company gets a big discount per gallon when using the company credit card or account. If they started out at the same price as posted at the auto island they might very well end up selling fuel below cost.

 

[DavidC]

Everybody pays the same amount per gallon in road tax. The posted price at the truck island is high because virtually every trucking company gets a big discount per gallon when using the company credit card or account. If they started out at the same price as posted at the auto island they might very well end up selling fuel below cost.

8 cents higher in the truck lanes. Don't know what to tell you.

Dave

 

[DavidC]

I do know Minot ND is the same price. Not so in AZ.

Dave

 

[TFucili]

 

[DavidC]

Thanks for clearing that up. All I could remember was the 8 cent difference.

Dave

 

[jhenderson]

I didn’t notice you specifically stated Az. But that’s no excuse. Until today I’ve never heard of multiple tax rates on fuel. Even upon research the info isn’t always available. All the sites I searched said a straight 26cts per gallon. That includes the AZ tax website. Learn something new every day.