Diesel fuel

[medicbob]

Went down in the states last week, noticed that there was different kinds of diesel, think I sas #2? What is it and which diesel fuel am I suppose to put in my F250 6.7 when I go in the states. I have never noticed that in Canada.

Thanks

Bob

[garyp4951]

We don't have choices around here TN, I think its all #2, or 10% bio.

[BigJohnD]

#2

[Robbbyr]

#2 is the most commonly available and recommended for most consumer road vehicles. It has higher BTU rating and more "lubricity" than #1 due to the paraffin left in the fuel.

#1 has had most of its paraffin removed during the refining process and while a tank or two won't hurt most over-the-road engines, it generally is not recommended long-term. But it is not as prone to "gel" at extremely low temperatures, something #2 possibly could do.

"Winter blend" is a mix of #1 and #2 available in certain markets during winter months to help prevent gelling and associated starting problems.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by medicbob

Went down in the states last week, noticed that there was different kinds of diesel, think I sas #2? What is it and which diesel fuel am I suppose to put in my F250 6.7 when I go in the states. I have never noticed that in Canada.

Thanks

Bob

I think you have a typo. Did you mean it was diesel #2? That is what available throughout the US.

Diesel #1 flows at colder temperatures so it is widely available in Canada (and maybe the northern most US) in the winter. It may be an automatic seasonal switch between #1 and #2 where you buy fuel.

Diesel #2 becomes very thick at cold temps and your engine may not run.

[Seann45]

#1 is like premium gasoline.. just a scam to help you spend money you don't need to spend.

OldmanAZ I have never seen a #1 diesel pump in Canada.. well actually I saw one yesterday for the first time...

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Seann45

#1 is like premium gasoline.. just a scam to help you spend money you don't need to spend.

OldmanAZ I have never seen a #1 diesel pump in Canada.. well actually I saw one yesterday for the first time...

Hmmm. Interesting! Maybe it's a regional thing? I crossed at Portal, ND many times going into Canada and, IIRC, saw it there. But that was years ago and now I don't recall now which side of the border I saw it.

On a VERY cold morning I do recall learning about the two diesel fuel types and not having anti-gel in my auxiliary fuel tank.

[Widows Son]

No choices around here as far as I know. #2 is the rule. Refiners "Winterize" fuel Oct-Mar "Supposedly". I'm not convinced however. I use anti-gel regardless of where I am at over the winter.

[DanNJanice]

Originally Posted by medicbob

Went down in the states last week, noticed that there was different kinds of diesel, think I sas #2? What is it and which diesel fuel am I suppose to put in my F250 6.7 when I go in the states. I have never noticed that in Canada.

Thanks

Bob

Here we have a choice between #2 diesel (this is "normal" Dino diesel).
We also have Biodiesel also called B20 which your truck is rated to run on.

[Edd505]

In the SW it's all #2 and I found one stop had bio fuel. I tried a tank full and the mileage really dropped off. Like oldmanAZ I found out about jelling while in CO one cold night because I forgot the anti gel.

[ecksdude]

One thing to check is whether your engine is ok to run the various bio-diesel blends. My favorite local station switched over suddenly to B20 (20%) and I'd filled up a tank before I realized.

My truck's manual says to use no more than 5%. The single tank of 20% didn't hurt anything, but I've started buying my diesel elsewhere.

The newer your truck, the more likely it is to be compatible with the higher blends.

[SouthCo]

I've refueled my diesel truck in every state from PA to Fl (going down the east coast) and TN and have never seen any choice of "on road" diesel.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by SouthCo

I've refueled my diesel truck in every state from PA to Fl (going down the east coast) and TN and have never seen any choice of "on road" diesel.

A fuel depot near me (where we fueled city vehicles) is open to the public, has "off road" and "on road" diesel. The "off road" is clearly marked and at a different fuel island. The "off road" is cheaper (due lack of road taxes) and, I believe, dyed red. I've seen construction equipment (generators, backhoes, etc.) fuel at that pump. I know I've seen "off road" diesel other places, but didn't pay much attention since it didn't apply to me.

So at a minimum, there's diesel #1 and #2, bio diesel of varying percentages, and 'off road diesel'. For most folks, all this is TMI.

[SouthCo]

Correct about off road diesel. I've seen that but can't use that. But again I've never seen more than one on road diesel. I know options are out there but I've never had to make a choice because there hasn't been options where I've stopped.

[bigfoot]

I've seen #1 and #2 up in Montana and Wyoming. #1 is for cold weather. Have never seen it much farther south, all #2 elsewhere. Off-road is the same stuff, just dyed red and taxed a lot less but illegal to use in on-road vehicles, big fines if they catch you but I think they mainly check commercial vehicles. A friend of mine has a ranch in central Montana and buys red diesel in bulk for his tractors, etc (and sometime his pick-up trucks ). Supposedly the red diesel will also color your fuel filters red.

[Racinforthefinish]

Off road diesel is dyed red and not legal for on road use. I buy it for farm equipment and never use it in my F350 diesel. One time I was pulled into a pulloff area and checked. They run a long plastic straw down the fill area, it better not come out red!