OK... I want to first say that I don't have a dog in this fight as I drive a gasser. I started this thread because of a discussion in the "MPG on 5.4 V8" thread.

Anyhow, here's the question:

Assuming no change in driving style, vehicle, location, etc..... all things otherwise being equal.... have you experienced a drop in mileage that you believe is due only to using ULSD?

Might be useful to post up which PSD you have.

Enjoy!

 

Shouldn't this be in the diesel section?

Also, just so we are all clear, I did not vote in this pole since I personally have not owned a PSD long enough.

 

Who knows? Admins feel free to move it wherever it needs to be.

 

The stuff really makes my 5.4L run terrible!

 

This may not be the best time of the year to ask - winter blend Diesel = lower mileage anyway. Almost everyone driving a 6.0 or, 7.3 around here is likely getting some sort of ULSD / LSD "mix" depending on where they fill up since not all the stations have put stickers on the pumps saying they are dispensing ULSD. Several stations still have the warning stickers on the pumps to not fuel 2008 or newer vehicles from this pump.

I'm actually staying away from the stations that have confirmed they've switched but for other reasons - I'm not completely convinced yet that the new ULSD won't hasten the demise of the 8 very pricey injectors on each of my 7.3's - thanks to the Gov't/EPA all the "older" diesels are "injector wear guinea pigs" at our expense. I'm watching for news of "sudden injector failures" from folks out west that have been running ULSD for > 1yr.

DG

 

There is absolutely no question that ULSD is lacking in lubricity.... add 2% to 5% bio if you're in a warm climate, Opti-Lube XPD if you're in a cold climate, and you're good to go.

 

I bought my truck after the large shift to ULSD, so that is pretty much the only thing I have run in it so I didn't vote. I agree though that winter fuel will make a big difference, so this isn't the best time of year to ask, unless people remember to compare it to their mileage from past winters with LSD.

As far as I know all on road fueling stations have swapped over to ULSD year round now. Some are just too lazy to bother with getting their fuel tested to make sure it meets the standards (unless they emptied their tanks and re-filled with straight ULSD they had to test them before they put the sticker on to make sure the mix met ULSD requirements). I have heard that some stations in border states with Mexico haven't all switched yet but I'm not sure.

Like others have mentioned though, to me it is worth it to run either a blend of biodiesel, or an additive like OptiLube, Stanadyne, or Power Service in order to ensure that your fuel has enough lubrication. The government set a standard, and all fuel suppliers are suppose to add their own additive before shipping ULSD to the fueling stations in order to meet certain lubricity ratings, however you have to depend on them doing so. Also the government standard is below what most engine manufacuterers recommend, so I feel better by running an additive.

Also, people should note that as of the latest Ford Diesel Supplement manual that I have read, Ford does not recommend running more than 5% biodiesel, and could theoretically void your warranty if you do. I do not think it will happen, but I want to make sure people are aware of this. (A lot of stations around me have switched to 10-11% bio in order to keep costs lower, so I only get half a tank there and fill up at a straight diesel station when I can find them).

 

It is less. Filled up on good ol' Washington ULSD on a 6 hour 300 plus mile trip to Bend Oregon and mileage was 15 going down. Filled up on Oregon LSD and same roads on the way back got me 19, the best I had ever seen. I think 1-2 mpg was driving difference, but not the entire 4 mpg. This was all hand-calculated as well. It makes a huge difference. I always fill up on LSD when I get the chance.

 

The difference in thermal content between LSD and ULSD is quite small. I've read several articles that have indicated the actual impact on fuel mileage going to ULSD would be around a 1% loss in mileage. That small a difference is very hard to measure given the many variables that affect mileage on any given fuel run.

The point about Winter grade fuel and Summer grade fuel is well made. Additionally, the quality of fuel from any given supplier can make a large difference in mileage. (By large difference, I'm talking along the lines of around 1 mpg.) Because I monitor my mileage closely and generally fuel at the same hand full of stations, I noted that my mileage dropped upwards of 1 mpg when I got fuel from one particular major name supplier. The loss was consistent and repeatable. As a result, I no longer get fuel from that supplier.

Personally, I've been closely monitoring my mileage since the day I took delivery of my truck and can't say I've seen any difference between LSD and ULSD as far as mileage goes.

 

I don't know enough to say either way BUT

Here is a quote from member Awl_Bidness at a discussion at FTEs diesel forums.com. He is / was a Chemical Engineer

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