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#1
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Specail Truck-Stop Fuel?
My father was in Ohio with his 99 E300 and he filled up at a truck stop. Gingerly dripping the fuel from the large spout, he quickly noticed improved power, milage and response. He clocked 250 miles on a little more than a quarter tank. The guy at the station called it "grade A 45 diesel," I assume he was talking about 45 cetane. Any input about what was with this fuel? Was it perhaps fresher than if we filled at a local suburban station?
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#2
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Hey Randall, is that source local?
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#3
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Oops, just re-read "Ohio." I don't suppose that would be Ohio, NJ, would it?
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#4
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Hey mccan, I'm affraid its the state... My mistake!
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#5
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I don't actually know of a Ohio, NJ. Was just trying to sound less stupid. How'd I do?
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#6
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Yep, that last sentence of yours is right. Truck-stop diesel IS fresher than regular service stations.
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#7
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Truck stop fuel is fresh for sure, but I think it depends on the state and grade for MPG. I stop at Flying J's when on the road in Florida (always lowest cost) and the fuel is fine, but I don't get the MPG I get from the Mobil down the street.
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#8
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So, was it the fresh-ness or the cetane that increased MPG? Both?
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#9
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Fuel really can vary from state to state or station to station. I filled up about three weeks ago in NM (not in my 300D, my F350 Crewcab pulling a heavy trailer) anyway my mileage on that tank was down to about 9mpg, I usually see at least 12. Got just south of Amarillo and filled up again, back to 12+mpg. Both fill ups were at busy truck stops.
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1985 300D Turbo ~225k 2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k 1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k |
#10
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Aren't truck stop pumps a lot higher pressure than gas station diesel pumps? Since truck tanks are so big they can fill up a lot quicker. I know that diesel nozzles are bigger diameter so gassers don't fill up w/ it...
I wish I had a truck stop closer than 10 miles... Get me some nice diesel.
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1984 190D 2.2 Auto 220k 2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport 70K 2004 Lexus RX-330 ??K 2005 Chrylser Crossfire LTD 6K Play guitar? Go to www.cyberfret.com for free online lessons! |
#11
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50 cetane
Pacific Pride stations in Western Michigan carry 50 cetane diesel (amoco brand). It is usually tested to be about 52-53 cetane. To use the stations, you have to provide a fein number (i.e., you need to run it through a corporation). But then you are able to use the stations. I usually get about 36-38 mpg with 40 cetane, I get about 40-42 with 45 cetane, I cannot imagine what it would be with 50 cetane on a regular basis.
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Jovan '84 (11/83) 190D 2.2 5-Speed; Silver/Blue; Motor No. 00354, 402k mi (340+kmi mine) '89 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe; Black/Black; 53kmi '05 BMW 530i 6-Speed; 302kmi '19 Range Rover; 30kmi |
#12
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I wish I knew more about the topic or had ever seen metrics on this issue ... it seems reasonable there would be SOME difference based on CETANE and/or freshness, but I can't imagine there being 15% better fuel mileage based on CETANE ... is there a parallel with regular and premium gasoline?
Normally, gasoline is gasoline if it doesn't ping ... might get a bit better power and mileage if your engine can modify timing to take advantage of higher octanes with suitable compression ratios, etc ... but 15% seems high even in a case where electronics play a big role ... not the case with most diesels, right? (I know electronics are playing a bigger role, but 15%?)
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George Stephenson 1991 350 SDL (200K and she ain't bent, yet) former 2002 E320 4Matic Wagon - good car former 1985 300 CD - great car former 1981 300 TD - good car former 1972 280 SEL - not so good car a couple of those diesel Rabbits ...40-45 mpg |
#13
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it is my understanding that the engines were designed for 50 cetane diesel. They run remarkably better with better fuel. I have owned the car for so many miles and driven it through all types of conditions, I can immediately tell when I use better fuel, and it does generally provide me with better mileage. On one trip last year (over 300kmi on the engine), when I filled up with 50 cetane, I got better than 42.5 mpg whereas I normally get about 38 for the same trip, conditions, load etc.
The differences are REAL.
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Jovan '84 (11/83) 190D 2.2 5-Speed; Silver/Blue; Motor No. 00354, 402k mi (340+kmi mine) '89 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe; Black/Black; 53kmi '05 BMW 530i 6-Speed; 302kmi '19 Range Rover; 30kmi |
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