Does diesel brand matter?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Does diesel brand matter?
I posted this question on SeattleGasPrices.com and received conflicting responses. Does it matter where I buy my diesel? I was informed by an oil and lube shop that I should be buying my diesel from Shell, but I don't think it makes any difference if I buy from Shell or 76 or Safeway or whoever, as long as it's diesel, right? Are there different grades? Better additives? I'm new to diesel engines, so help would be appreciated!
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 851
Likes: 0
From: N. Georgia
I do think it matters. I buy Exxon from a station (it's a nickle a gallon less than the other stations) and it consistently gets 1/2 miles per gallon less. If I buy it from Kroger It gets 1/2 - 1 mpg more and has more pep and power. I don't think the brand matters as much as which station you get it from (different tanks at the tank farm maybe). Find you a station that sells a lot of fuel so it is fresh, your truck runs good on the fuel, and the mileage is what you think it should be (it will never be high enough for me). The only way I know to do it is try a couple of tanks from different places until you find one you like. I've never found that the brand or brand name really matters.
Joe
Joe
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
I do have my favorites as do most people, but at one time I had heard that you should get it at various different places in order to make sure that you don't get an overly contaminated tank of fuel(which isn't needed if you go to high turnover volume places, but I have to drive a little to far for that piece of mind) which is what I end up doing most of the time as I do travel fairly frequently.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 0
I think it depends on the station, volume sold and the fuel supply network in the area. For instance, in my rural Iowa area there is a pipeline terminal nearby, almost every retail outlet and tank truck operator, no matter the brand gets their "generic" fuel from there.
We get our fuel delivered in bulk from the local BP Jobber, all his fuel is trucked up from the BP terminal in Des Moines, he does not deliver any fuel to the BP stations in town.
I will also say BP has a "Premier" branded premium diesel fuel available and if you can get it, its very good.
We get our fuel delivered in bulk from the local BP Jobber, all his fuel is trucked up from the BP terminal in Des Moines, he does not deliver any fuel to the BP stations in town.
I will also say BP has a "Premier" branded premium diesel fuel available and if you can get it, its very good.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 699
Likes: 0
From: northern Michigan
What matters most is the owner taking care of his tanks to keep moisture out and not allow any mold growth to occur. Stations that move a lot of fuel have less of a chance for mold growth but can still get moisture.
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 0
Yup Yup, couldn't have said it any better!
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 0
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 0
From: Bloomfield Hills, MI
). So...whats this Premier fuel that they are selling? higher cetane? Or just some labeling BS - alot of places put premium or some sort of catch word just to make you think its higher quality. Im pretty sure all diesel is basically made by the same process so the cetane doesn't vary that much, it may drop if its old or other containments are in it.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
And it's cheaper for you to do it yourself.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 699
Likes: 0
From: northern Michigan
Around here most stations only have one pump and what is sold as premium is a blend of #1 & #2, the ratio of which changes with the seasons. I get #2 at the farm because I have a storage tank. #2 has more BTU's then #1 or blends so you use less of it. It also has a higher parrifin concentration so will gell in the winter if not treated.