What time do they usually switch diesel to #2? It gets into teens here at night and I'm worrying about #1 gelling in system

 

Diesel is # 2. They should be adding winter blend any
time now.

 

yeah, i thought the #2 was the regular diesel and #1 was the winter cold stuff...

 

I've been told they start distributing it Oct. 1

 

Oct 1 in Montana

 

They won't "switch" from #2 to #1. They do switch to a winter blend of #1 and 2 based on your locale. IOW, fuel in Phoenix might not be blended at all in the winter. That is the only reason, IMO, to use an additive. If I buy fuel in the south and am going north I add anti-gel. The fuel I bought today in Billings (22 degrees at fillup, forecast to be 9 tonight) received no additive.

 

I add Power Service to every fillup during the cold months. There is nothing worse than being in the middle of nowhere when it's -10F and you aren't sure you will make it up the next grade.
Personally I wish the vendors would leave the mixing to me. You don't know what you are getting at the pump.

 

They don't want it gelling up in their own pumps.

The stations I use in Montana give a choice of #1, blend or #2 with additive.
I use the #2 and still add more additive because I don't trust them.
More is not better with additive, more than what the label states won't protect you any colder, it just costs you more money.

 

That does make sense. Around here some of the stations post the blend percentage but not all. We seldom see below -20F so don't need straight #1.

 

When in doubt, throw in some white Power service in the tank. It is inexpensive insurace.

 

depends on your location. where I'm at I asked that when I moved back home from the Marines and they looked at me like I was on crack. they dont here. but places that I have driven through during winter that actually needed it. seems the fuel station workers knew what I was talking about. and they had 1 and 2. power service is cheap to have on hand if your concerned. cheap insurance.

 

Uhhh power gel... I mean service...... Forget that worthless JUNK, and find something better. I use Howes now. Ever had 300 gallons of "BLENDED" diesel fuel gel up on a semi? Even with that power service junk?

NEVER trust what they give you at the pump. Add the proper mix of additives/anti gel EVERYTIME you get fuel.
Trust me, you dont want to be trying to thaw out your truck at 2AM when its -30 and the wind if blowing.

 

never had any trouble with power service. i now live in northern WY and have never had my truck gel up. ive used howes before and have never had any trouble with it either. it all works you just have to make sure you mix it right

 

FWIW, they have been blending now for about 2 weeks at my normal station here in Northern Illinois, you can always tell, 2 MPG drop avernight...........

 

I've been using Power Service for at least 30 years and never had a gel up except the time when an early Oct deep freeze caught me by surprise before I added it.
-7°F and all the tractors and a 5000 gallon above ground tank gelled.
Luckily the freeze only lasted a few days and temps back in the 60s ungelled everything.
Now I always start treating everything in mid Sept.

One problem I've had with additives except Power Service is the additive itself gelling up in the jug so bad that you can't pour it out.

Additive survey I read in an over the road trucker's magazine a couple years ago had Power Service as the #1 additive by far. A lot of that has to do with availability too. PS seems to be everywhere where some additives are hard to find.