PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

lrg · #5 12-12-2002, 02:56 PM

As it was explained to me Diesel #1 is just a lighter version of Diesel #2, just as Antony described. #1 is preferrable in very cold climates because of a much lower gel point (it won't solidify as quickly as #2). Generally speaking, you need to get temperatures down into the teens before it matters. #2 with the proper additives will have a sufficently low gel point for most of the lower 49 states except some areas in the Great White North. The penalty for using #1 is that it contains less specific energy than an equivalant amount of #2 so your milage suffers. Mixing kerosene is for those who either can't get #1 and/or are in really cold climates. If you try that be sure to follow the MBZ recommendations exactly. In general, it should be unnecessary to have to fool with Kerosene. I've never seen #1 for sale in California (at least labelled as such) but I've heard that you can find it sometimes in the Sierras. Most all the service stations convert to a "winter Blend" in the Fall. Whether this is more additives, a blend or pure #1, I don't know. I've been up there a number of times in really cold weather and never had a problem as long as I used additives.