What type of fuel is better?

[Deadbus]

Ok, I know it has been said before, but I have a question about fuels. I am on orders to go to NY for the Navy and am passing thru my home town of Butte, MT. I stop to get fuel and am confronted with several choices: Red Dye, #2, #1, and 50/50. Prices were . 99, 1. 499, 1. 619, 1. 439. What is the difference between between these? Any harm in burning the 50/50? I am new to these posts and diesels, so i don't know.

 

[chuck3]

Red Fuel

Red fuel is for off road and Gov. equip. only, big fines if caught useing this fuel.

 

[Ken B]

Deadbus,



First off, let me safe travels and good luck. Ditto on what Chuck3 said about the red. Number 2 is what you can burn until the temps drop below freezing (I'm sure someone may know a more exact temp), number 1 fuel is for the cold stuff, and 50/50 if I'm not mistaken is a blend between #2 and #1. I've used #1 only when traveling the Rocky Mountain states and Midwest durring the heart of winter, and once or twice in eastern WA durring a few cold snaps. Hope this info helps, it's the guideline I follow... . but someone may know better. -Ken

 

[hammong]

Red - Illegal for on-road use. Farm tractors, heating furnaces, and government (non-taxable) vehicles only.



#1 - Diesel that doesn't contain the same parrifins that #2 does, has a lower BTU content than #2, and consequently gives you WORSE fuel economy, but will not gel until it gets down to about negative 25 degrees F.



50/50 - Blend of #1 and #2 - pretty common in northern states in the winter. Less fuel economy than #2 but better than #1. Good to about -5 degrees F.



#2 - The summer fuel we all know and love. Best BTU content of diesel fuels. Susceptible to gelling below 5-10 degrees F.



Greg