ULSD: My first impression

[Augie]

My truck has 48K miles. Yesterday I was low on fuel and stopped at the first place that sold diesel. I did not stop to look at any diesel pump stickers while fueling. I set the lie-o-meter on eco mode when I drive on the highway. The display usually indicates 20. 2 mpg when cruise is set at 75 mph however, I noticed it was showing 20. 8 and felt responsive when passing on the highway. I stopped at the same station today and noticed the ULSD 15 ppm sticker on the pumps for the first time anywhere, I usually found the LSD 550 ppm pump stickers until now. The station manager said they started loading ULSD 2 weeks ago. I got another tankfull but added a little extra Power Service Diesel Kleen and Lucas fuel additive for my own piece of mind. While fueling I positioned the nozzle tip where I could see the flow. It looked clearer than what I was used to seeing, like I was pumping Sprite. I did a hand calc and my city/hwy average was about the same as usual ranging anywhere from 16-18 mpg. I just thought I would share my observation with you.

 

[CCahill]

We've had ULSD in Cali for a bit now ... my impression with my truck is this... slightly better fuel mileage, less smoke. . unless it's turned way up, and slightly less low end umph... . hard to describe ... but not as much "put you back in your seat, low throttle opening umph"...

 

[CRHardie]

About 3 months ago while change fuel filters on one of the trucks at work I got green fuel out of it. I thought it was anti freeze from more leaking Cat injector cups. So I checked the fuel tanks , no water just green fuel Long story short I called our fuel supplyer and was told it was ULSD. Started watching what was going in the tank of my truck and found it all green except fo those pumps that said Not for use in 2007 engines. I looks much like the old Agway Green Diesel that was sold in this area years ago

 

[Augie]

I was about to say in my post that it looked like I was pumping Mountain Dew (members would think I was nuts) instead of Sprite because it had a light jade appearance to it but then I thought it was just a lighting effect from the sun. Thanks for letting me know my eyes are fine.

 

[SStiss]

I had to fill up for the first time in a couple of weeks, and I noticed the new ULSD sticker. I had read this thread, so I wanted to see what color it was, and sure enough, it did look like Mountain Dew. I'm kinda anxious to see what my truck is going to run like with the new fuel. Keep us posted on how yours does.

 

[Nate]

We have been running ULSD at work (Air Force) since this summer. It's clear in color.

 

[Schrowang]

Augie,



I came across this article posted on the RoadKing web site. Thought you might be interested.



http://www.roadking.com/story.php?id=705



The URL didn't copy over so that you can open it, but if you copy it into your Address window it will open to the article in the on-line version of the July/August RoadKing magazine. I think the article is well worth reading.

 

[Augie]

Thanks. I've read other info on ULSD with similar info. For now, I'm not comfortable with running ULSD without additives. Some say it is not needed but only time will tell. There will always be those who add nothing so we'll see how it all pans out. Most truckers don't use additives until their fuel starts to gel. The trucking industry will be the first to experience the long term effects of ULSD on fuel systems and seals.

 

[dpuckett]

I like how the article states that sulfur is a natural lubricant. Dont know whether to cry or laugh. Some people are so uninformed.



Daniel

 

[klenger]

I think my milage has actually gone up about 1 MPG since ULSF. Who am I to compain. It looks like I'm getting 21 MPG around town now.

 

[ChrisOlson]

Talked with a chevron Rep who supplies most of the north west with lube oil he said that the refineries will have to add some type of lubrictiy additive to compensate for the lack of lubricity with the sulfer going away. said that none of the ULSF fuels should harm our beloved Cummins He has a 1992 cummins in his dodge.

just my 2 cents worth.

 

[gitchesum]

Talked with a chevron Rep who supplies most of the north west with lube oil he said that the refineries will have to add some type of lubrictiy additive to compensate for the lack of lubricity with the sulfer going away. said that none of the ULSF fuels should harm our beloved Cummins He has a 1992 cummins in his dodge.

just my 2 cents worth.

The pipeline delivering the fuel will determine where the lubricity gets added. If the pipeline the diesel fuel is delivered in also delivers JETA, then the lubricity additive is added at the loading rack using an inline blend system. It adds the lubricity agent as the fuel is being loaded into the truck.



If no JETA is sent down the pipeline, then the additive can be added at the refinery.

 

[ChrisOlson]

The pipeline delivering the fuel will determine where the lubricity gets added. If the pipeline the diesel fuel is delivered in also delivers JETA, then the lubricity additive is added at the loading rack using an inline blend system. It adds the lubricity agent as the fuel is being loaded into the truck.



If no JETA is sent down the pipeline, then the additive can be added at the refinery.

WHAT HE SAID

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I put ~13 gallons of ULSD into the TDI last Thursday - bought it at the Speedway station in Windsor, WI right beside the interstate where highway 19 intersects.



I certainly have not seen any reduction in soot, but will update this thread on MPG figures and other observations.



Matt

 

[DZink24]

Now that someone else has spoken,...

I think my milage has actually gone up about 1 MPG since ULSF. Who am I to compain. It looks like I'm getting 21 MPG around town now.

I thought I was crazy when I saw my overhead jump another 1/10th of a MPG-after over 1300 miles since the last trip reset. And we all know how difficult it is to get it to increase, especially after that many miles. My O/H is always within . 3 mpg of measured. It was hovering at 17. 6, 17. 7, and today jumped to 17. 8. That last tenth was shortly after a fresh tank w/just a splash of MMO, thats it. I guess time will tell...