What's in the fuel?

[FD5]

Since I bought my truck I have been running Texaco premium diesel and would average between 450 to 490 miles on a tank. About two months ago for the first time I used Shell diesel and made it to 540 miles on a tank. Not thinking about it, the next 2 tanks were the Texaco, just shy of 500 miles. Last week I used the Shell diesel and went to 560 on that tank. Filled up this morning at Shell and 205 miles I'm at 3/4 of a tank. What does Shell use that Texaco doesn't?? Any thoughts?

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1995 2500, SLT Laramie, Xcab, auto, 3. 54, stock plate forward, Amsoiled throughout, dual by-pass filter, Amsoil Dealer, muffler and cat fell off, if you find them, there yours!!
1989 250, Cummins, auto, stock, work truck, 190K, soon to be Amsoiled
1967 Coronet 440, Steve Thomas built 360, auto, 2. 94, factory A/C, am radio, FAST!!!
1991 Camry LE, V-6, auto, Amsoiled
1989 Holiday Rambler Aluma-lite travel trailer

[This message has been edited by FD5 (edited 02-09-2001). ]

 

[illflem]

It's probably the cetane rating of the fuel that makes the difference. When traveling I've noticed 2-4 mpg less with Texaco than other brands,which is too bad because their stations are usually easier to use,i. e. you don't have to pay inside. I've got the best mpg with Flying J and try to use it exclusively. Chevron fuel is usually good also,but more expensive. The red stuff I use at home is by far the best though.

[This message has been edited by illflem (edited 02-10-2001). ]

 

[Michael Hughes]

FD5,
I have used mostly Quick Trip diesel since I got my '99 in Oct. I have ave 19. 5 MPG over 21 tanks of fuel. I have gotten as high as 22 MPG. I think based on your milage, I will stay away from Texaco!
FYI: The truck now has 50,000 miles on it.



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1999 2500 ST LB 4X4 Metallic Red, 5-speed, 3. 54 gears, LSD camper and tow package

 

[LSMITH]

I have noticed a big difference between brands of diesel too. I usually use Pilot fuel from truck stop on my way home. Occaisionally I go by an Amoco truck stop and fuel there. Right now the Amoco does not have blended fuel, they have a jet fuel additive for ice and wax. I get two miles per gallon better on the Amoco than I do on the blended fuel from the other stations.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S Everything but leather NRA Member

 

[Big-D]

illflem... be careful with that red stuff, or at least how you mention it. Hate to hear someone dipped your tank and the rest of us farmers have to run looking over our shoulders. Dave

 

[illflem]

Big-D,I only use the red in my truck off road on the farm #ad

 

[Alan Reagan]

I did a post last year where I had found the same thing with BP versus Phillips 66. I got around 2 MPG better on the P66. Flying J advertises there fuel as being a true premium blend now but I haven't seen any difference between Flying J and P66.

 

[HC]

After last year's post, I got my hopes up that I could get better mpg just by switching brands. So far, I have not been able to confirm a difference between P66, Exxon, and Flying J/Conoco. I guess I'll have to try the Shell, but it costs ~$0. 15 to 0. 20 more at the station where I will have to buy, so even if the mpg does jump 2 mpg it may not be cost-effective. I think LSmith has a good point - the differences are probably greater in the winter due to how each company blends the winter mix. I'm also fairly impressed by the information on FJ "Gold" diesel at http://www.flyingj.com/fuel/fj2000/index.html
but it is not clear if all FJ fuel meets this higher standard.

 

[Whitmore]

fellers,I worked for F-J for a couple years hauling fuel,at a location in sw wyoming we were using aprox 50 to 60,000 gals per 24 hrs. that is a hell of alot of fuel!!! any way in the summer when we had time we would drive to another refinery across the state and pick up a load(10,000 gals) of # 4 which is railroad grade for 13 cents gal and blend it with the big tanks,they combined 120,000 gals.
this really didnt bother me as much as when we would haul condensate off the desert to our L. A. C. T. unit,from there we would go get diesel fuel for the truck stop without steaming our tanks as we were 100 miles from our steamer,I tell you some of the condensate we hauled was nasty stuff.
when I fuel I look for 3 things .
1)a inline filter on the stations pump.
2)never fill up while a tanker is unloading as things are stiring at this time(dirt water crap).
3)I try to find a place where the delivery truck is soley for fuel,or at least steams out when hauling other crap.
one other thing I always us an additive on every fill up. #ad

Kevin 2001 eth dee

 

[JHansen]

Hey Whitmore I've hauled some nasty condy in my day too-wouldn't want it in my fuel tank very badly. Some of that stuff is soooo volatile-not to mention slightly less than optimum for lubricity. Had quite a few loads that I couldn't get off the trailer without splitting and loading it onto the truck-and a couple even that wouldn't completely come off the truck (gravity drop straight into the pump). Don't miss that at all-although overall I actually preferred hauling condy over oil-lots cleaner... .

Jason

 

[The patriot]

I've used Amoco, Texaco, Hess, and Gulf. I cant see any difference in mileage that I can directly attribute to fuel. (some pumps fill more than others) What you have to do is use a brand for a whole month. This will give you a more accurate figure for mileage.
I've also used "red" for {ahem} testing purposes.
Red wins. I got 5%-10% better mileage, and the truck was quieter. Slightly more smoke.
I think Hess is only in the North East, but theyre the only ones that put a cetane rating on the pump. It's 45.

Eric

 

[illflem]

The Cenex Ruby, that I only use on the farm and tests,has 48 for cetane.

 

[FD5]

Will no longer be filling with Texaco, even though Texaco and Shell are the same. Will stay will Shell as long as the mileage stays like it is now. I may try a tank or two of Flying J. I didn't realize there would be such a big difference in diesel fuels.

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1995 2500, SLT Laramie, Xcab, auto, 3. 54, stock plate forward, 233K, Amsoiled throughout, dual by-pass filter, Amsoil Dealer, muffler and cat fell off, if you find them, there yours!!
1989 250, Cummins, auto, stock, work truck, 190K, soon to be Amsoiled
1967 Coronet 440, Steve Thomas built 360, auto, 2. 94, factory A/C, am radio, FAST!!!
1991 Camry LE, V-6, auto, 128K, Amsoiled
1989 Holiday Rambler Aluma-lite travel trailer

 

[Champane Flight]

I work for major oil company and can tell you that all fuels destined for northern climates from Oct to April are winter blends. This means they are refined and blended for colder climates to prevent gelling. We also add Paraflow to our reciepts. My old 95 runs better with competitors brand than ours in the winter. Shame on me. I always change fuel filters just before the winter season and try to keep my tank topped off to prevent condensation.

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95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop,job to support toys. Yuck...

 

[fmj]

It's interesting to see the difference in mileage you guys get from one brand to another. Here in California, you can go to a Shell (or any other brand) and get non-Shell diesel. I stop in Blythe, CA at a Shell station and its Indio Crude. There are Arco stations that carry Pacific Pride. The only exception is Standard, which sells nothing but Standard. None of the stations show the cetane rating, which whould help in choosing which fuel for the price. At least in the gas crap they sell out here, I know that I have to run 110 leaded in my street car.

 

[Switca]

Winter, spring, summer or fall,
Texaco is the worst of all.

I tried it in my VW once and only once. The car smoked, got loud, lost power and got the worst mileage ever. Even with additives.

Theonly thing premium about Texaco premium is the price.

If you can find Amoco Premier (50 cetane), use it. Otherwise Flying J works just fine.



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Gregor Switca
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96 2500 4x4 auto SLT.
99. 5 VW Jetta TDI
Nothing but diesel in my driveway.

 

[illflem]

fmj,what are you running that needs 110 leaded and where do you get it. Must have to make your own. I have a '64 John Deere gas tractor that could use it,runs poorly on the new fuel,last time I checked years ago it was going to cost about 50¢ a gallon just to add lead substitute.

 

[Muleskinner]

What is the "Red stuff" I hear you talking about in your fuel? Here in So Calif. the CHP does not do road side checks on pickup trucks. So let me know what it is so I can use it.

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2001. 5 2500 4X4, Auto, Quad cab,white.

 

[Benson]

Diesel fuel designated for off road use has a red dye in it. It is not legal to use it on the raod. It is for farm use etc. That's what these fellers are talking about. I have also found on recent trips to and from San Diego that I seem to get slightly better mileage when I fill up with Chevron fuel on the return trip. I will have to investigate this further. Surprised me that there would be such a noticable difference.

 

[MikeR]

Right now,I'm on vacation in California and I don't know what they're doing to the diesel fuel here,but it SUCKS! The truck runs and idles different with this stuff in it. I'm also getting 50 miles less out of a tank.

-Mike