Improved MPG
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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Improved MPG
I know I have been a "little" negative lately, but I thought I would pass this on. I recently switched to a differant fuel. I am now using Citgo. It has a minimum cetane rating of 44. My fuel mileage as gone up nearly 1 mpg since
switching. I was using the fuel at Wally World, but decided to go across the state line to get it since it is about 23 cents a gallon cheaper. My truck is running smoother and "seems" to be a tad quieter.
switching. I was using the fuel at Wally World, but decided to go across the state line to get it since it is about 23 cents a gallon cheaper. My truck is running smoother and "seems" to be a tad quieter.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 853
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From: northern,california
Good fuel really makes a big difference. I always pay a little extra for the good stuff. I just have never trusted the cheep stations. You just never know what you are getting. If you have ever got bad fuel you would know what I mean. Get bad fuel just once and the cost of fixing the motor would be more than just that dime extra a gallon for the life of the motor.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 19,098
Likes: 8
From: Great State of Texas
Keep in mind that some states mandate a minimum cetane rating. Heck, even counties for that matter.
The 9 counties that make up North Texas are mandated to have a minimum cetane rating of 46 for on-road diesel fuels. An EPA thing.
May not be just a Citgo thing.
For political / U.S. oil economic reasons I stay away from Citgo (Venezuelan owned) pumps. Nothing wrong with their product though.
The 9 counties that make up North Texas are mandated to have a minimum cetane rating of 46 for on-road diesel fuels. An EPA thing.
May not be just a Citgo thing.
For political / U.S. oil economic reasons I stay away from Citgo (Venezuelan owned) pumps. Nothing wrong with their product though.
Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 21
Originally Posted by kw5413
Keep in mind that some states mandate a minimum cetane rating. Heck, even counties for that matter.
The 9 counties that make up North Texas are mandated to have a minimum cetane rating of 46 for on-road diesel fuels. An EPA thing.
May not be just a Citgo thing.
For political / U.S. oil economic reasons I stay away from Citgo (Venezuelan owned) pumps. Nothing wrong with their product though.
The 9 counties that make up North Texas are mandated to have a minimum cetane rating of 46 for on-road diesel fuels. An EPA thing.
May not be just a Citgo thing.
For political / U.S. oil economic reasons I stay away from Citgo (Venezuelan owned) pumps. Nothing wrong with their product though.
The reason I ask is that a local truck stop here advertises that they add PowerService to their holding tanks in order to winterize their fuel instead of mixing #1 and #2 diesel together!!!!
Just curious how North Texas accomplishes the higher cetane level?
Thanks,
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 19,098
Likes: 8
From: Great State of Texas
I am not sure how they get there. Probably thru additives.
DFW area reportedly has the highest priced diesel in the state. Likely for that reason.
In there is no distinction of premium fuels here except thru advertising...you know how those marketing guys are. Sell the sizzle not the steak?
As you know, there are many variables that might make a fuel a "premium" selection. Enhanced cetane is only one.
IMO, and generally speaking, the only thing that is usually premium... is the price.
DFW area reportedly has the highest priced diesel in the state. Likely for that reason.
In there is no distinction of premium fuels here except thru advertising...you know how those marketing guys are. Sell the sizzle not the steak?
As you know, there are many variables that might make a fuel a "premium" selection. Enhanced cetane is only one.
IMO, and generally speaking, the only thing that is usually premium... is the price.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 19,098
Likes: 8
From: Great State of Texas
Just an FYI:
Cetane number is a relative measure of the interval between the beginning of injection and autoignition of the fuel. The higher the number, the shorter the delay interval. Fuels with low Cetane Numbers will cause hard starting, rough operation, noise and exhaust smoke. Current commercial fuel cetane requirements may not adequately address these customer satisfaction issues. Generally, diesel engines will operate better on fuels with cetane numbers above 50 compared to fuels with cetane numbers of the national average of approximately 45.
Cetane number may be increased through the refining process or the blending of combustion ignition improving additives by fuel suppliers.
Cetane index is an approximation of fuel ignition quality through measurement of distillation range and specific gravity. It is not affected by the use of combustion improver additives; therefore it produces an indication of the base cetane number of the fuel.
Cetane number is a relative measure of the interval between the beginning of injection and autoignition of the fuel. The higher the number, the shorter the delay interval. Fuels with low Cetane Numbers will cause hard starting, rough operation, noise and exhaust smoke. Current commercial fuel cetane requirements may not adequately address these customer satisfaction issues. Generally, diesel engines will operate better on fuels with cetane numbers above 50 compared to fuels with cetane numbers of the national average of approximately 45.
Cetane number may be increased through the refining process or the blending of combustion ignition improving additives by fuel suppliers.
Cetane index is an approximation of fuel ignition quality through measurement of distillation range and specific gravity. It is not affected by the use of combustion improver additives; therefore it produces an indication of the base cetane number of the fuel.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 19,098
Likes: 8
From: Great State of Texas
Oops! I thought I was mistaken about the DFW - 9 county minimum cetane and I was. It is not 46...it is 48.
Current Diesel Regulations:
On April 19, 2000, TNRCC approved a low emissions diesel fuel rule for nine counties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area beginning May 1, 2002. This establishes a common specification for highway and off-road mobile diesel. It extends the federal 500 ppm sulfur cap for highway diesel to off-road mobile uses. It also includes a min 48 cetane number and max. 10 vol% aromatics content (or approved designated alternative limit).
As a side note and purely a gut guess on my part...but, I instinctly feel that our 6.0s have fewer per capita issues here than other parts of the country.
Our local fuel quality is the reason why.
Current Diesel Regulations:
On April 19, 2000, TNRCC approved a low emissions diesel fuel rule for nine counties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area beginning May 1, 2002. This establishes a common specification for highway and off-road mobile diesel. It extends the federal 500 ppm sulfur cap for highway diesel to off-road mobile uses. It also includes a min 48 cetane number and max. 10 vol% aromatics content (or approved designated alternative limit).
As a side note and purely a gut guess on my part...but, I instinctly feel that our 6.0s have fewer per capita issues here than other parts of the country.
Our local fuel quality is the reason why.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 19,098
Likes: 8
From: Great State of Texas
sewhalen35 in most locals there is no mandate to display cetane ratings on diesel pumps like octane on gas pumps.
Most folks at the cash registers are like deer in headlights if you even mention cetane rating.
When asked about cetane rating one S.E. Asian person kinda sorta individual told me that they "didn't carry that anymore". I said "it's in the diesel fuel" ...He said..."we don't have any of that in our gas we not pay of any problems with your broken engine"...I said " I don't have a broken engine and it is diesel not gas"...I just want to know the cetane rating."
He said "ooohhh...we never did carry that" Maybe you can find some at Krogers"
I laughed and cried all the way to the house.
Most folks at the cash registers are like deer in headlights if you even mention cetane rating.
When asked about cetane rating one S.E. Asian person kinda sorta individual told me that they "didn't carry that anymore". I said "it's in the diesel fuel" ...He said..."we don't have any of that in our gas we not pay of any problems with your broken engine"...I said " I don't have a broken engine and it is diesel not gas"...I just want to know the cetane rating."
He said "ooohhh...we never did carry that" Maybe you can find some at Krogers"
I laughed and cried all the way to the house.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 139
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From: Breaux Bridge,La.
Why does this not surprise me and it is not only pretaining to diesel fuel you have the same thing in most stores, the folks behind the counter do not know what they sell and could really care less, as a matter of fact most can't even count change any more and I know that probably dates me but like you I would like an intelligent answer.
wesran
wesran
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,467
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From: Staten Island, NY
WOW! A Cetane rating of 44...48 or more. These are the numbers dreams ar made of. Here in the New York City / New Jersey area you have to hunt for 42. The state franchised Mobil filling stations on the New York State Thruway are pumping diesel rated at 40, as are most others. The large Hess stations in NJ are pumping 42. So far, in this area that's the highest I've seen.
Statndyne goes in every tankful!
Speaking of Stanadyne, I spent last weekend in the Cooperstown area in upstate NY. Came out Monday morning to a temperature of 4 degrees. Went to the local Hess station to fill up and pulled the bottle of Statadyne out from behind the rear seat. I had to squeeze it out of the bottle like tooth paste. Apparently the pure stuff freezes faster than the diesel its added to! Sort of like antifreeze.
Statndyne goes in every tankful!
Speaking of Stanadyne, I spent last weekend in the Cooperstown area in upstate NY. Came out Monday morning to a temperature of 4 degrees. Went to the local Hess station to fill up and pulled the bottle of Statadyne out from behind the rear seat. I had to squeeze it out of the bottle like tooth paste. Apparently the pure stuff freezes faster than the diesel its added to! Sort of like antifreeze.
Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 21
Originally Posted by PupnDuck
Speaking of Stanadyne, I spent last weekend in the Cooperstown area in upstate NY. Came out Monday morning to a temperature of 4 degrees. Went to the local Hess station to fill up and pulled the bottle of Statadyne out from behind the rear seat. I had to squeeze it out of the bottle like tooth paste. Apparently the pure stuff freezes faster than the diesel its added to! Sort of like antifreeze.
Curious if anyone else has experienced or can leave a bottle outside to test?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 107
From: Staten Island, NY
Yep, it was the performance formula. I've been using it for six months or so in every fillup but this was the first time exposed to single digit temps. But I guess it works. I was staying at a motel, couldn't plug the heater in and it fired with less than 3 seconds of cranking at 4 degrees. Bit of white smoke though.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 133
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From: Hamilton, Ohio
On the other ford diesel site, I saw the gelled stanydine mentioned a few weeks ago. Apparently, the anti-gel properties aren't activitated until it is actually mixed with diesel fuel. Personally, I use PowerService in the Gray bottle. It doesn't do anything for preventing gelling. The white bottle is for that purpose. I've never had any water in my fuel (knock on wood!).