I'm new to the diesel engine thing. I purchased my first diesel truck in April. I found a 2001 SC with the 7.3 Powerstroke with only 26,3xx at time of purchase. I plan on getting a lot of life out of this truck and don't mind spending a few extra dollars here and there to assure I get the most out of it I can. The other day I went to fill up at a BP near my home for the first time. I ran into something haven't seen before, they had premium diesel. Like I said I haven't had my truck very long and haven't seen premium diesel before. I asked a co worked who also has a 7.3 if he had ever seen this before and he stated no. Is this common or is it a waste of 10 cents a gallon? If it will benefit my truck to use it I don't have a problem with the almost extra 2 dollars at each fill up( wont let fuel gut that low before filling up).

 

Is the cetane rating any different? It should be posted on the pump, most are around 40 but i have seen some upwards of 50. The higher the cetane rating the better the fuel will perform at higher speeds, but your engine still turns slow enough to not really need a high cetane. There isn't an official standard for regular vs premium diesel.

 

I stopped for fuel today and the QFC that sells diesel near me had gotten new pumps installed. For an extra $2 I could purchase fuel additive. As far as I could tell it was mixed at the pump. Is this the type of thing you are talking about, or was it a separate pump for "premium"?

I asked the cashier if she new what the additive was, and she said they had not been informed or trained on the new pumps. It was weird because it asked if I wanted additive before I had selected the grade of gas or if I was selecting diesel.

 

I was a separate pump not an additive. I think I most likely I will be better of spending that money on an additive.

 

Shell has similar diesel. Supposed to basically have an additive already mixed in, extra lubricity, etc. I bought the stuff before, but who knows if there really is any "premium" extras in the stuff??

 

I buy at the local co-op when home. It is premium diesel and the price is within a cent or two of the regular stuff.

 

I have never seen premium diesel, cetane rating of 40 will be just fine.

 

I usually fuel up at Murphy and have never seen the premium until a few days ago when filling up at a Shell station. Went there b/c an app showed the diesel cheaper than at Murphy. They weren't charging extra for "premium".

 

some places here in Alaska that sell #1, #2, "mixed", #2 +15, and #2 -10...

all with different prices, and no way of knowing excatly what you are really getting (send off to test maybe)

I try to go to the bigger truck stop, but do buy at Fred Mayer's from time to time..

knock on wood, so far no Bad fuel...

did get schooled by an over the road trucker friend on difference between his big rig and my 1 ton...

he has heaters on the tanks, on the fuel lines, at all filters and can turn on tank heaters from the cab if necessary (he uses a #2 -10 year around- buys 5,000 gallons at a time and fills his truck from tank at "barn"

He even has a heated barn for shut down and maintence now.
he does one start/one shutdown when driving up to Pruduo..


I got a heater of sorts at the last filter...

I definetly remember to treat all fuel with Anti-gel


Chris