Higher cetane = higher mileage??
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Laporte , Indiana
Higher cetane = higher mileage??
I was at the dealer today for the tranny service . (lucky 2004 owner) The service writer said that the engineers at ford had told him that the 6.0 would get better mileage if the diesel put in had a cetane rating of 48 or higher . I only have one station in my area with that high of a grade diesel . And its 60 miles away . What about cetane boost out of a bottle . Has anybody noticed a difference in mileage with the use of cetane boost . I wonder if the guys that claim 19-20 miles per gallon buy diesel from a station that has higher grade diesel with the 48 level cetane . What is everybodies opinions on this ????
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
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Higher cetane does equate to highe "power" potential....
but wonder about the cost justification of buying a $4 per quart bottle of something to supplement your already expensive diesel per gallon ....
maybe do some calcs with the diff in mpg with or without to see if it is justified ...
but wonder about the cost justification of buying a $4 per quart bottle of something to supplement your already expensive diesel per gallon ....
maybe do some calcs with the diff in mpg with or without to see if it is justified ...
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,241
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From: Other side of the sunrise
Higher power = less resistance to my knee reflex to pound the floor with the accelerator pedal = poor fuel economy. Now if I could discepline myself, well then I might notice better economy. Oh the irony
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,203
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From: Carlsbad, California
A higher cetane rating for diesel fuel is akin to a higher octane rating on gasoline. Using gasoline with a higher octane doesn't result in better fuel economy unless the engine is designed to require it.
Often times the higher octane fuel actually has less energy content.
Similarly, cetane reflects the ability to ignite or get combustion started. So the higher the cetane rating the easier it is to get the fuel ignited. Again, a fuel with a higher cetane value doesn't necessarily mean the the fuel has a higher energy content. It is the energy content of the fuel that provides the heat to do the work.
So it's more than just a high cetane rating that's required for good fuel economy.
Often times the higher octane fuel actually has less energy content.
Similarly, cetane reflects the ability to ignite or get combustion started. So the higher the cetane rating the easier it is to get the fuel ignited. Again, a fuel with a higher cetane value doesn't necessarily mean the the fuel has a higher energy content. It is the energy content of the fuel that provides the heat to do the work.
So it's more than just a high cetane rating that's required for good fuel economy.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,532
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From: Valdez, Alaska
Not sure if Powerservice is a cetane booster but I do notice about 1-2 mpg better when I remember to use it. I to have the knee to foot problem and average 15-16 during those times. My best millage has been 21.5, 60-65 on the highway, not passing everthing in site, and full tank with Powerservice.
Havent tried Staydane yet so I dont know what that would do for my truck. I also noticed my better millage is with Summer #2. The winter #1 lowers my average by about 1-2 mpg. Of course the other variables are having the hubs locked from Oct to May and those steel studded things sticking out of all four tires. Not complaining, still alot better millage than F350 CC LB Dually V10.
Oh yea were would you find out the cetane level for the local diesel pumps?
Havent tried Staydane yet so I dont know what that would do for my truck. I also noticed my better millage is with Summer #2. The winter #1 lowers my average by about 1-2 mpg. Of course the other variables are having the hubs locked from Oct to May and those steel studded things sticking out of all four tires. Not complaining, still alot better millage than F350 CC LB Dually V10.
Oh yea were would you find out the cetane level for the local diesel pumps?
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Laporte , Indiana
The sheet the dealer gave me is from BP service stations . I assume you can go to their web site .
According to the service writer the Ford engineers acted like the 6.0 was built around utilizing higher cetane fuel . Which makes sense with all this emissions stuff . If the higher cetane fuel burns more efficient this = less emissions . The problem is there are not enough high cetane stations around . Or is this the goal of the GOV. to force a higher cetane fuel . What would that do to the fuel prices ?
According to the service writer the Ford engineers acted like the 6.0 was built around utilizing higher cetane fuel . Which makes sense with all this emissions stuff . If the higher cetane fuel burns more efficient this = less emissions . The problem is there are not enough high cetane stations around . Or is this the goal of the GOV. to force a higher cetane fuel . What would that do to the fuel prices ?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Valdez, Alaska
What number would higher cetane fuel oil began at? Since I only have 3 gas stations in a 150 mile radius and they both get their fuel from one source I have it pretty easy to find out the number here at the pumps.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,203
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From: Carlsbad, California
I buy diesel fuel from various sources. Generally name brand stations that move a fair amount of fuel.
The typicaly tag on the pump says that the cetane rating is a minimum of 40.
My fuel mileage is 17 to 19 on the highway typically and I've seen one way trips on certain roads of better than 22 mpg - I pay for it on the return trip though as it is then up hill.
So I don't think that in my case I'm getting any special cetane rated fuel.
The typicaly tag on the pump says that the cetane rating is a minimum of 40.
My fuel mileage is 17 to 19 on the highway typically and I've seen one way trips on certain roads of better than 22 mpg - I pay for it on the return trip though as it is then up hill.
So I don't think that in my case I'm getting any special cetane rated fuel.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 19,098
Likes: 8
From: Great State of Texas
but wonder about the cost justification of buying a $4 per quart bottle of something to supplement your already expensive diesel per gallon ....
Don't know the impact of PowerService on my MPGs 'cause I have used it since the very beginning. My purpose of use however, has nothing to do with MPGs.
I use it for higher cetane levels in order to boost whatever quality of fuel I buy from wherever I buy it.
In addition, I hope for longer cleaner injector life thru added lubricity of the fuel as well and enhanced fuel burn / detonation.
Any water dispersing action can't hurt.
I add with every fill up at a rate of 0.64 oz / gal. Without getting into a long formula...the short of it is...my increased cost is approx. $ 0.078 / gal and avg. approx cost per mile is $ 0.005. One half cent per mile...I probably loose that in tire rubber.
Don't know the impact of PowerService on my MPGs 'cause I have used it since the very beginning. My purpose of use however, has nothing to do with MPGs.
I use it for higher cetane levels in order to boost whatever quality of fuel I buy from wherever I buy it.
In addition, I hope for longer cleaner injector life thru added lubricity of the fuel as well and enhanced fuel burn / detonation.
Any water dispersing action can't hurt.
I add with every fill up at a rate of 0.64 oz / gal. Without getting into a long formula...the short of it is...my increased cost is approx. $ 0.078 / gal and avg. approx cost per mile is $ 0.005. One half cent per mile...I probably loose that in tire rubber.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 140
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From: anytown, MI
Originally Posted by wildcat421
I was at the dealer today for the tranny service . (lucky 2004 owner) The service writer said that the engineers at ford had told him that the 6.0 would get better mileage if the diesel put in had a cetane rating of 48 or higher . I only have one station in my area with that high of a grade diesel . And its 60 miles away . What about cetane boost out of a bottle . Has anybody noticed a difference in mileage with the use of cetane boost . I wonder if the guys that claim 19-20 miles per gallon buy diesel from a station that has higher grade diesel with the 48 level cetane . What is everybodies opinions on this ????
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 527
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From: Dark side of the moon
Originally Posted by captian diesel
I have been getting 20-21 mpg with out, It is mind boggling that these trucks can vary as much as they do on mpg
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 19,098
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From: Great State of Texas
I think that the A #1 influence is driving habits. I know that my driving habits have become very habitual over the years. Hard to break away from 38 years of licensed driving habits.
And no...I'm, not that old. Back in the olden days (the stoned age) we could get our license at 14. Whew...can you imagine 14 year olds driving today...with today's traffic and little go fast ricers? Not a pretty vision.
And no...I'm, not that old. Back in the olden days (the stoned age) we could get our license at 14. Whew...can you imagine 14 year olds driving today...with today's traffic and little go fast ricers? Not a pretty vision.