Which Diesel?

[Wheezy]

I live in Iowa, most of the Fueling Stations I go to, have a winter blend. They call this 50/50, first off, 50/50 of what? Is it a combination of #1 and #2?

When running the blended fuel, without my EZ, the truck seems very sluggish, and gets poor fuel mileage. Is this normal? I filled up with straight #2 and got my power and mileage back, does this sound right?

Last question, what is the difference with #1 and #2, besides #1 costing about 20 cents more per gallon?



I know this is long, but any info would be greatly appreciated.



John

 

[machinemover]

From what I understand, #1 is suppose to be the Premium of the grade. Although there are really no standards as to what is to be considered premium diesel unlike gasoline. I just go with the PS additive and hope for the best. Fuels expensive enough, I see no reason to voluntarily pay . 20 more a gallon for an uncontrolled status. Mind you I could be wrong here, but this is what I have heard.

 

[DF5152]

Winterized fuel



To maximize power and prevent gelling in the winter months, a blend of DF1 and DF2 (winterized fuel) is recommended because it contains far less paraffin, a substance naturally found in diesel fuel. High amounts of paraffin will crystallize at the pour point and clog your filters, crippling your engine. DF1 contains less paraffin that DF2, but it also produces less heat, causing an engine’s power and fuel economy to suffer slightly. Using a mix of the two fuels will balance your diesel engine’s power and fuel economy with the confidence you gain knowing that your engine is protected from wax formation throughout the winter.

 

[barbwire]

#1 verses #2

It is normal to get worse mileage with #1 fuel. But, you will need the blended fuel to keep from gelling up in cold weather. If your part of the world never gets below about 20 degrees, I would look for straight #2. If you can find it in the winter. Anything colder than that is up to a persons own discretion as to what he/she wants to take a chance with. I guess that I have run straight #2 down to 0 degrees But I think it is risky. I have had my rig gel up a few times. And it is no fun to change a fuel filter in cold weather. Not to mention the fact that it will seldom gel up at home, or close to a repair shop. It seems to happen 10 miles from the nearest anyplace. Just my $. 02.

50/50 blend should be good to run to -30 degrees I would guess. I will run a 70/30 (70 % #2- 30%#1) till -10 without much worry. Some will flame me for this, but I feel it is better to be safe than sorry. I have also run to - 10* with straight # 2 using a additive. Take this all FWIW.

 

[barbwire]

Man, DF5152 you sure type fast.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

#1 is not premium. It is the lower btu fuel that gels at a lower temp. A mix of the two is not going to work at as low a temp as straight #1, but you also don't lose as much mpg or power.

 

[machinemover]

I only see #1 in a few select locations. Why can't we just use a good additive? And if so how much additive should we use, every tank fuel? Every other a bottle? Joe, thanks for straightening me out about my mis-information.

 

[DocDetonancour]

I would stay away from the #1 is you can. The additive will guide you for the proper ratio. #1 gives very poor mpg and IMO not necessary unless you ae dealing with very cold conditions. I have run -20 with only additive and haven't had a problem in 8 years. My 2. Doc

 

[DMC]

I don't know what you guys are talking about here, maybe I'm a complete dumba$$ for even saying anything.



But I used to drive class 8 trucks 48 states. And I have never knowingly put #1 Diesel in my fuel tanks. By the way number one and Kerosene are the same thing. Except Kerosene has red dye in it when intended for off-road use only. I'm not saying that some fuel centers don't dump Kerosene in with the #2 diesel. The only truckers I have ever heard of using #1 diesel are some of the guys that run well above the U. S. Border. I used Howes, FPPF, Rottella, and Power service fuel treatment. When running in temps under freezing. Howes says they will pay for the tow right on the jug, if you gel up using their product. Their is more BTU yield from the combustion of #2 than there is from #1, thus the difference in power and mpg. Many truck stops sell winter blend fuel, the major chains buy their fuel with additive in it. It you buy some fuel that yield terrible mpg numbers I wouldn't't go back there.



Good Luck



Don



By the way try Flying J, Petro, or TA they have some of the best fuel out there.

 

[KKlepfer]

DMC is right. Here is the name and description part of the MSDS on #1 Diesel.



Product Name: No. 1 Diesel

Product Code: Multiple

Synonyms: No. 1 Fuel Oil

Ultra Low Sulfur Kerosene – Undyed

Ultra Low Sulfur No. 1 Diesel

Generic Name: Mid distillate

Chemical Family: Petroleum Hydrocarbon



Here is the composition:



Hydrodesulfurized 0-100 100* mg/m3 ACGIH TWA-SKIN

Kerosene . . C9-16

CAS# 64742-81-0

Hydrotreated Distillate, 0-100 (See: Kerosene . . C9-16)

Light . . C9-16

CAS# 64742-47-8

Kerosene . . C9-16 0-100 100* mg/m3 ACGIH TWA-SKIN

CAS# 8008-20-6

Naphthalene 0-3 10 ppm ACGIH TWA

CAS# 91-20-3 15 ppm ACGIH STEL

10 ppm OSHA TWA

250 ppm NIOSH IDLH

 

[barbwire]

DMC is right to a point, however!!!!!!!!!

My son in law works for a fuel distributor, and they tell me what percentage of #1 diesel that they put in the #2 to make winter blend, at the public pumps. Depending on the for-casted temp. it may be 25/75, or 30/70/ or 40/60, or 50/50, etc. etc. The number one may be nothing other than kerosene as stated, but it's in there.

We do ,however have the option( in our area at least) to buy straight #2 in bulk lots. Or whatever blend of #1 & #2 we desire, as they carry both in their trucks. This is put into our private storage tanks.

So to sum it up, if it is not specified on the pumps, at fuel stops, you are at the mercy of the supplying distributor. You may not even know that you are using a blend. Unless you ask. And most times the person at the till does'nt even know any more than the $ amount of the purchase you made.