Winter Diesel Grades ????
 

If this is in the wrong place I appologize.
I need Help please!!
Living in Louisiana I am not or have not seen but 1 grade of road diesel until today. I am in the process of driving from SW Louisiana to Anchorage Alaska and while driving through Montana was introduced to Grade 1, Grade 2 and 50/50 which I assume to be a mixture of #1 and #2. Can anyone explain the difference in these grades of diesel.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Bonehead_98

Straight #1 has the most resistance to gelling ( having wax crystals form which can plug your fuel filter) which can occur with #2 at temperatures of +20F or below. #1 also has less btus per gallon. The trick is to run as much #2 as you can without gelling.
The 50/50 blend covers us pretty good down to -25F.

Grade 1, also known as AGRODIESEL or GASOIL AGRO, is intended mainly for agricultural equipment. Sale of Grade 1 diesel is optional at retail outlets.
Grade 2, also known as GASOIL COMUN (common diesel fuel), is intended for the bulk of diesel fuelled vehicles. Grade 2 diesel fuel is available with 2 different sulfur levels depending on the population density of the location where it is retailed.
Grade 3 diesel fuel, also known as GASOIL ULTRA, is the highest quality diesel fuel and is supposed to be available starting February 1, 2006. Sale of Grade 3 diesel at retail outlets is optional until 2008.
At the time the regulation was published, the sulfur limits amounted to 3000 ppm for Grade 1, 1500/2500 ppm (depending on the area) for Grade 2, and 500 ppm for Grade 3. Sulfur limit reductions occur in 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2016. After the last reduction, in June 2016, the sulfur limits become 1000 ppm, 30 ppm, and 10 ppm for the three respective grades.

Law 26.093 requires 5% biodiesel to be blended with diesel fuel starting January 1, 2010.

Thanks for the replies. Will additives which claim to increase cetaine level and prevent jelling acomplish the same as Grade #1 but cost less?
Again thanks for the replies.
Bonehead_98

Get yourself some additive designed for winter - plenty of discussion on them, but Power Service and Stanadyne are popular. I run the appropriate type year round here, but I think you may run more risk as you'll be traveling north and no guarantees you'll have winterized fuel in your tank when you need it. It doesn't hurt anything to treat a tank when in doubt - only 2-3 bucks a tank.

Mark

Listen here Bonehead, ;) we never use additives, just 50-50 blend and it can get as cold as -25F here.
If you get caught with a tank full of #2 and it turns cold, by all means get some additive in there before its too late.
I would use the fuel called for in your owners manual for the temperatures you are experiancing.

Thanks for your help. 50/50 sounds like a safe bet.
Bonehead_98

Where all are you guys seeing different grades of diesel? I ask because I don't see anywhere here in Oklahoma that sells more than one grade. However, different truck stops have different grades. You can tell by mileage and the way the pickup runs.

I think it should be a law that you specify what additives are already in the fuel. For instance, most, if not all Love's stores here in Ok have crappy fuel. Truck drivers really take a hit.

Thanks guys, great thread.