OK, I've had my Super Duty for about 7 months now and have seen Diesel at the pumps, once in awhile I will come across Diesel #2 and only once have come across Premium Diesel. I'm wondering if it's all the same or is there really a premium diesel here in Florida? I did notice that my fuel mileage was much better when I filled up on the premium but it could have been due to driving circumstances for all I know. I always try to use good fuel but you never know what you are getting when you fill up. What are your opinions on this?

Scott

 

Diesel #2 is your basic highway diesel fuel
Diesel #1 is very close to kerosene, you usually find #1 in colder climates
Premium Diesel has a mixture of 20% biodiesel, basically its a synthetic diesel fuel, Works great in new diesel engines and can clean up an older diesel engine. It's Cetane levels are higher in premium and you end up with a cleaner burning fuel and more MPG. Premium Diesel therefore provides better ignition and much quieter, smoother running than standard diesel.

 

Well It would be nice if more gas stations carying diesel would offer a premium grade. I would have to drive 50 miles to get the premium diesel from the one gas station in town that offers it. I guess using fuel additives may be the way to go. Thanks for your input

Scott

 

YOu need to run the "premium diesel" The #2 diesel is typically for commercial and off-road use. ie: farmers, loggers, etc. The tax rate on it is lower and it is not as clean as the premium. Do not get caught running it in your daily driver. It will cost you dearly in fines. If you think the fuel is red, It won't be as red as you butt after the tax man is done with you!

 

Everytime I see that #2 it makes me feel like I'm getting watered down fuel! As for premium, it is difficult to find here. Most gas stations in town sell diesel with no c- rating at all. other gas stations only sell #2 so If I'm on "e" then I have no choice, if this is the only station nearby. Perhaps, soon we will have grades of diesel to choose from here in Florida.

Scott

 

Scott, Premium Diesel Fuel is really not all that great and not worth the extra cost. Sure it has some special additives, a slightly higher cetane rating and a lower cloud point, but you aren't likely to see any huge improvements in your MPG or the way your engine runs. All #2 diesel fuel sold has to meet minimum specifications, and your diesel along with every other diesel engine in the US will run (and they do run unless it is extremely cold, then you use blended fuel, and as a last resort, straight #1) just fine on #2. #2 diesel to your diesel engine is like regular gasoline is to your gas burner, any grade above "regular" just cost you more $$$$. Also, #2 diesel is NOT restricted to commercial, or off highway use. You will not be fined for using #2 diesel fuel. Only dyed diesel fuel (untaxed) is restricted to off highway use, and yes, that can get you into some hot water if caught using dyed fuel on the highway. Also premium diesel does not necessarily contain Bio-Diesel. It can, and some retailers are marketing the bio-diesel blend as PREMIUM diesel. (Nothing wrong with Bio-diesel...we'll see more and more of it as time passes)

Here's what Chevron has to say about PREMIUM DIESEL CLICK HERE

Here is some specs that must be met in order for the diesel fuel to be called "PREMIUM" in certain states:

NCWM's Premium Diesel Fuel Standards & Tests
The following are the five performance properties that comprise the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) Premium Diesel Fuel Standards. A Fuel marketer must meet at least two standards in order to be able to advertise "Premium Diesel" in states that adopt the NCWM standards.
Energy (Btu) Content: The fuel must have at least 138,700 Btu, as measured by ASTM D-240
Cetane Number: The fuel must have a cetane number of at least 47, as measured by ASTM D-613.
Fuel Injector Cleanliness: The fuel must either pass a CRC rating test with a 10.0 or less, or it must have a flow loss of 6.0% or less on the Cummins L-10 test.
Low Temperature Operability: The fuel must provide cold-flow performance down to ASTM D-975 tenth percentile minimum ambient air temperature charts and maps for the region and time of year where the fuel will be sold. This performance must be proven through use of the Low-Temperature Flow Test, also known as ASTM D-4539, on the Cloud Point Test.
Thermal Stability: The fuel must get at least an 80% reflectance measurement using a filter in the Octel F21-61 test.


So, feel free to pull into your favorite fueling station and load up on #2. millions of vehicles are filled up with it every day. #2 doesn't mean that you are buying the second best.

 

Neil,
Thanks for all the information. I am a more knowledgable consumer now.

My cousin was caught running dyed diesel, ended up with a $1000 fine from feds and also a $1000 fine from the state.

Many years ago there was a tax sticker that farmers could purchase as a lump sum fuel tax, then they could run untaxed (red dyed) diesel for the year (until the expiration date on the tax sticker). Somehow that system went by the wayside as road diesel sulpher content limits were reduced, while farm diesel sulpher contents stayed unchanged. Farm diesel (with its higher sulpher content) was no longer legal to run on the highway, even if the tax was paid.

Does farm (dyed) diesel have a higher sulpher content???

Thanks,
Lee

 

I can't answer that question for sure because it is possible that it could be different in every state. Here in CA, the sulpher content is all the same, and the fuel comes out of the same tanks at the storage facilities. The dye is injected into the tankers while they are loading for delivery to the end user.

 

Thanks for the great info.
I wasn't too worried about being fined for using #2 diesel when many of the stations in town sell it.
What are your thoughts on fuel additives such as cetane boosters? Worth it or not? I did use STP injector cleaner and got about 2.5 miles to the gallon better.

Scott

 

I've used Power Service (in the gray bottle) for years. It is easy to find, and not terribly expensive. A higher cetane number is a good thing. Just be sure that whatever you use DOES NOT have alcohol in it.

I wish we cold get out hands on some of this:

BP's New 'Ultimate' Premium Diesel Touts Higher Cetane: "Ultimate" premium diesel in the U.K (see Diesel Fuel News 10/13/03, p12) has minimum 57 cetane number with typical blends having 59 cetane, BP told us last week.

 

Anyone running BioDiesel or Diesel Seceret?

I have a buddie that is runing the BioDiesel and has been for about 9 months now. I have to say I don't kn ow how many miles but I think his commute is like 63 miles on way. Plus lots of river runs on the weekends @ 500 miles a weekend.

Just wondering if anyone has been running it or not.

 

#2 diesel is sold at the pump for on road use. It is not "farm" diesel nor is it dyed red.