I read about you guys buying #1 and #2 diesel, and 50/50 blends, etc. I just bought my diesel pickup a couple of weeks ago, and the places I see in the Seattle area that has diesel just sell fuel labeled "Diesel" to the best of my knowledge. Where can I find out what kind of diesel it is? What kind of diesel do the big truck stops sell? And what kind of diesel do the Kenworhs, Freightliners, running the big Caterpillars, Detroit, and Cummins use?

Thanks in advance for the input.

Terry

 

Ususally says it on the pump I believe. I have a Chevron station just down the road from me and on thier sign it says - DIESEL NO. 2 ... 1.50 - . You could always ask the guy behind the counter.

edit - I think, by law, they have to display on the pump what comes out of that nozzle. Much like what octane on the gas pumps.

 

Read your owner's manual. I'm quite sure it recomends #2 diesel fuel. #1 diesel fuel is more highly refined and is less "oily" than #2. It also has a lower BTU, or energy content. The main problem with using #1 diesel is inadequate lubrication to the injectors and pumps in the system as they rely on the fuel itself for lubrication. #1 fuel is up the refining scale, closer to gasoline, which as you know is VERY harmful to a diesel engine. #1 fuel IS used in the wintertime at very low temperatures to enhance starting and recuce gelling, but all engine manufacturers recomend against it for the above reasons.
#1 fuel will not produce as much power or fuel economy as #2 therefore, it is very rarely used in over the highway trucks.

BobJonesSpecial

 

The owners manual for my 2003 6.0L powerstroke calls for "low sulfer #1-D or #2-D Diesel fuel. At temperatures below 20F, #1-D or winter blend #2-D is recommended."

 

Thanks for the replies, guys. You sound very knowledgeable. I have only filled mine a couple of times. I drove back by the place where I was buying diesel, and checked the pumps. I couldnt find anywhere a label stating what number it was. I did not get out and ask the attendant though. I drove by a large truckstop, to see what theirs was, and their pumps werent marked with grade numbers either. Only whether it was gas, or diesel. I have to go on the assumption that it is #2. The thing that surprised me, is that up to now, I have only found 2 stations that sell diesel, within several miles of my home. I guess I would have expected more stations to sell diesel. So the pickins is kinda few.

 

Where I live right now its even worse. I have only found three stations that sell it.

 

You guys on the left coast are out of step. I have 3 stations within 1 mile of my house that sell diesel, and at least 10 between my house and office. If you really have trouble finding a station, get with your local heating oil disributor, He can bring you a tank and delivery fuel to your house. Just don't get more than you can use in a reasonable time, and kkep it clean and fresh. I have a 150 gal. tank for "red" (off road ) fuel for my tractors, and another 110 gallon portable tank with electric pump that I throw in the bed and get filled at the cheapest truck stop around (usually the freshest fuel).

 

The Mercedes diesel does not rely on injector pump lubrication
from the fuel.....

 

Do truck stops have 1 or 2
and if they have two is it for the big rigs
if so can anyone pull up and fill up?

 

Guess you would just have to try it, Tim. The worst that could happen is someone comes out and tells you that island is for commercial big rigs. The large truckstop I went and checked, had SEPARATE islands for the big rigs and an island labeled light trucks and RV's.

 

Agreed on the try part, only quest on is if they do have 1 or 2.
As many times as I have been at one, I have never noticed or taken note of the labels for the different types. Now the curiosity has the best of me.

 

Check your owner's manual. Mine states either #1 or #2 is acceptable. Just don't use the red farm grade.

Most diesel owners seam to prefer #2. I've read that the markup is higher for #2, so that is what most stations carry and pump.

The only time I had a choice was at a truck island where there were two choices labled "refr" and "trac". The trucker I asked said that I wanted the one labled "trac". It stood for tractor, as in the truck cab pulling the load.

Never found out what "refr" stood for.

 

Also forgot to mention the major difference between #1 and #2 diesel. #2 is the standard mix, however it suffers at cold temp since it like to turn into a gel like substance. #1 is the winter blend. It stands up better to cold temps. It won't gel til it reaches a much lower temperature as compared to #2 diesel. A downside to #1 diesel is its lower cetane rating. Most diesel owners will lose some mileage when fuel stops switch to #1 diesel.

 

#1 diesel is basically Kerosene. Most stations around the country switch to a blend in the winter so you aren't actually getting straight #2 at the pump. Stick with #2 and use a fuel additive to lower the pour point.

 

Coro,

I used to drive 18 wheelers for a living. My guess is that the "refr" if for reefer, or the diesel refridgerator unit, such as Thermo King,etc. The trailer I pulled used a little Mercedes Benz diesel to power the reefer, but I never used a separate fuel for it.