There is a difference between regular and Premium Diesel, right?

[C. Harlan]

I think there was a thread on this in the past, but there is one Shell I found, who has a sign saying PREMIUM DIESEL, while all the others say Diesel... . what gives?? Is one more refined? Someone Chime in!



-Chris-

 

[illflem]

There are a very few brands of premium diesel that actually have higher cetane but most just contain the same additives you can add yourself.

Save the money you'd spend on the premium and spend it on additive.

 

[The patriot]

The premium says premium on it. That's the difference. :-laf

Eric

 

[JLEONARD]

Premium diesel by law is supposed to have a higher cetane level... I don't remember what those numbers are, but 42 min for "normal" diesel and 45 for premium rings a bell.

They raise the cetane via additives.

As stated before, you can put additives in yourself, and at least you know what you are putting in and you can be consistant about it.

Jay

 

[BarryG]

Was it Joe D's article a few mags back or possibly even a thread from here long ago they were talking about this. They said that for diesel it has to meet I think only 2 of 5 requirements to be labeled premium. I dont remember what they all were but here is what I can remember: Cetane, lubricity, gel point, the other two I cannot recall. So buying premium fuel doesn't necessarily mean higher cetane. If however the pump has cetane level published on it it is supposed to be that. Here in town I used to be able to get 50 cetane as labeled on the pump at Total stations(only stations I ever saw with a published number) but they have since been bought by someone else and they replaced the pumps at least at the one by my house and no more published rating. After reading the article or thread it was quite disconcerting to learn that there really is no telling what the heck your putting in your tank from station to station whether it be premium or not as the standards for premium seem to be rather wide.

 

[dremelts]

You're right, BarryG, it was an article in the TDR mag. a few issues back. I think the consensus was that you're better off NOT paying the premium for premium diesel and spend the money instead on an additive like Amalgamated.

 

[jrandol]

While in CA last weekend I had to fill up in Pleasonton, this station had #2 with Stanadyne premixed into it. I was flaming mad about payin $2 per gallon but calmed down slightly when I found out it had Stanadyne in it.



Jeff

 

[fj40charles]

There is supposed to be differences, but because there is no "standard" for what classifies it as being a premium (as long as you meet 2 of the 5 requirements). I think "premium" label means premium profit for the oil company.



Save the money and put in your own additives.

 

[ralphr]

Yea the big differance is premium costs about . 15 ~ . 20 more per gallon.

 

[Rebel_Horseman]

I know I'm opening a can of worms here but what additive should I use. I've been able to find the Lucas stuff at the truck stops aroudn here and it's very common. The other common one is the stuff at Wal Mart (can't remember the name). I've only seen Stanadyne at the diesel shop back in Baton Rouge and have yet to find it up here. Is the Lucas stuff any good? Should I use it in every tank?



Thanks,



Reb [><]

 

[BarryG]

OK I found the article it was in issue 36 page 24-29 and written by Robert Patton. Any diesel that has two of the following constitutes premium diesel fuel:

cetane: 47 minimum

Injector detergency: 10 maximum in Cummins L10 test

Thermal Stability: 80% pad reflectance on modified f21-61

Energy Content :138700 BTU Minimum

Low temperature operability: LTFT or Cloud Point equal to ASTM tenth percentile minimum in area



It goes on to say by Texaco's own people that their premium diesel only meets the detergency and thermal stability items.



Out of 64 samples from 53 cities in 27 states all passed as premium by the 2 of 5 rule but none had all 5. Most only had the cloud point and the detergency requirements met. In those samples cetane ranged from 35. 9 to 54. 3 and the btu content ranged from 132925 -139080



The article goes on and on bottom line was don't pay extra for it get a good additive package for it and in the case of this article Almagamated was the one to use.

 

[Jefff929]

Premium Diesel Fuel

New definition. As near as I can tell as of Jan 2006. It now must meet all these.



NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

http://ts. nist.gov/ts/htdocs/230/235/Pub15-06/PDF/All-06-Pub15-Final.pdf

Premium Diesel Fuel – All diesel fuels identified on retail dispensers, bills of lading, invoices, shipping papers, or other documentation with terms such a premium, super, supreme, plus, or premier must conform to the following requirements:

(a) Cetane Number – A minimum cetane number of 47. 0 as determined by ASTM Standard Test Method D 613.

(b) Low Temperature Operability – A cold flow performance measurement which meets the ASTM D 975 tenth percentile minimum ambient air temperature charts and maps by either ASTM Standard Test Method D 2500 (Cloud Point) or ASTM Standard Test Method D 4539 (Low Temperature Flow Test, LTFT). Low temperature operability is only applicable October 1 - March 31 of each year.

(c) Thermal Stability – A minimum reflectance measurement of 80 % as determined by ASTM Standard Test Method D 6468 (180 min, 150 °C).

(d) Lubricity – A maximum wear scar diameter of 520 μm as determined by ASTM D 6079.

 

[Rescue Ram]

... I was flaming mad about payin $2 per gallon...



Jeff

Those were the days...

 

[Intelman34]

My trucks have always gotten 1-2mpg better when I am using BP Premier (Premium) Diesel. The engine is also quieter. The station I use only charges about $. 10 more per gallon than a station down the road that carries regular diesel.