getting back mileage on winter blend???
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: herriman utah
getting back mileage on winter blend???
I have a buddy in my neighborhood that works for a refinery and I asked him if they made the switch to winter blend yet and he said yes. I always loose a fair bet of mileage when the switch is made to winter blend fuel. I think its probably always been about 10% down on mileage with the various diesel trucks I have owned. is there any additive that could add some cetane or whatever so that my mileage would come back?? then I could see if I could save some money by running the additive or not.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
The winter blend fuels are designed primarily to allow the ULSD to flow at low temps and are locally formulated based on local climatic changes. Understand that summer blend fuels (#2 diesel) have a higher btu content due to (among other things) their higher paraffin content. The higher energy content allows you to use less fuel to go any given distance. The problem is, the summer blend fuels cloud at relatively high ambient temperatures and form wax crystals which plug fuel filters.
The refineries blend in #1 diesel (which has almost no paraffin) and has a very low cloud point (-40F). The lighter fuel has a lower energy content and therefore gives lower mpgs. This is the price we pay as diesel drivers. If we want our fuels to flow in the winter, we have to use a winter blend fuel. It's not about the EPA or environment, it's about using a heavy fuel that is prone to thickening up in the winter. Gasoline, of course, does not have that problem.
The refineries blend in #1 diesel (which has almost no paraffin) and has a very low cloud point (-40F). The lighter fuel has a lower energy content and therefore gives lower mpgs. This is the price we pay as diesel drivers. If we want our fuels to flow in the winter, we have to use a winter blend fuel. It's not about the EPA or environment, it's about using a heavy fuel that is prone to thickening up in the winter. Gasoline, of course, does not have that problem.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
I don't know of any or how that can fundamentally be. Since the heavier fuels flow poorly in low temps, you have to thin them out in the winter. If you add something to bring the energy content back up, then it will flow poorly again. Don't think you can have it both ways.
We need a refinery chemist to chime in here.
We need a refinery chemist to chime in here.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,222
Likes: 4,231
From: Kaysville Utah
As Epic explained, Winter Blend dosen't have as high of BTU as summer straight #2. We are taking BTU's NOT Cetane. Most additives increase the Cetane rating , they increase the lubricity, they increase or help the detergents. But I don't know of any that increase the BTU's.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
I like the Motorcraft cetane booster. It's not very expensive and it works well. I just got a case of it after my experience with B20. I can't promise that you will get your MPG back but it is a good product and does help.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 84
I'm on my first tank with the Motorcraft cetane booster (PM-22-A).
Since it's the first tank with about 3.5oz, I don't expect any results and nothing has changed so far with a half tank used. I'll make sure I put in the recommended 4oz next tank or maybe every other tank; we'll see.
Since it's the first tank with about 3.5oz, I don't expect any results and nothing has changed so far with a half tank used. I'll make sure I put in the recommended 4oz next tank or maybe every other tank; we'll see.
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,839
Likes: 2
I noticed today, on my 350 mile trip down to Indianapolis, the winter fuel blend shows a 1.5 mpg drop.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 181
Likes: 2
From: Tampa
Does anyone no if they change the fuel here in Florida
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
I dont believe they do...I think you just have to tough it out for that two weeks in February where its actually cold. I have been wrong before but for some reason I remember nothing being different about the diesel in the "winter" there.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
That makes sense. Were the pumps where you filled up labeled with any winter blend notices?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
[QUOTE=tampacamper;9521997]Have you ever used Diesel Kleen?
I have used Diesel Kleen, seems fine but you have to use about 8oz. of the stuff. The Motorcraft is only 4oz per tank. Smaller bottles, easier to deal with. Just a simple preference for me.
I have used Diesel Kleen, seems fine but you have to use about 8oz. of the stuff. The Motorcraft is only 4oz per tank. Smaller bottles, easier to deal with. Just a simple preference for me.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 181
Likes: 2
From: Tampa
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
It NEVER really gets too warm here in CO...it can get in the high 90s and low 100s in the summer here but it still doesn't feel like what I was use to in Oklahoma and Daytona Beach. I miss my warm climates.