As I made a long cross-country trip over the past two weeks, I normally bought my fuel from regular gas stations to avoid the long lines and hassles of buying at the truck stops, but once in Cheyenne, Wyoming I filled up at a truck stop and noticed my truck seemed to like the fuel better. Injectors were a little quieter, truck seemed to have a little more power. Later I noticed the "ultra-low-sulphur" stickers on the gas station pumps and wondered whether the truck stops have a different fuel.

What types of diesel are there and what are the differences? What do our trucks like best?

 

Semi's I believe are also now required to run ultra low, as are non-commercial vehicles.

I like to hit truck stops, or at least high volume service stations that are newer, and likely to have fresh fuel from clean tanks.

My truck always runs a bit smoother after a long road trip, particularly when towing. These engines seem to like to be worked hard.

 

the local truck stop by me gives me around 1-2 mpg better than the Meijer next store. both have pretty consistent business selling diesel so it must be something about the fuel.

 

same fuel just gets used quicker. there are no laws as far as what is required to be used. Some truck stops still had low sulfur instead of ultra low.

 

as of jan 1 2010 all diesel fuel was to be ULSD there is no LSD in any of the service station or truck stop tanks someone forgot to change the stickers on the pumps to read ULSD

 

Between my last fillup and this one the low sulfur truckstop station in Phoneix switched to ULSD. I guess it had to end at some point. I may still go there from time to time because of the high speed pumps, high fuel turnover, and large filters mounted next to the pumps, but I won't be specifically driving across town to fill up there anymore. I'll see if my MPG changes...ugh.

 

In California all the fuel is the same. Don't know about other states I'm sure the Feds have regulations for all states as Cali. Unless its Red then the only Diff is Color and huge fines and a tax audit.

 

There have been several truck stops in Arizona selling low sulphur fuel. One of them is the Zips on I-10 west of Phoenix at the Vicksburg exit. I also found some in Yuma. It will be phased out, but it's not illegal to sell low sulphur fuel.

 

Which truck stop is that? I hope it's not the Zips at the Vicksburg exit.

 

You may have been getting premium Diesel at certain truck stops. I know of some Sunoco in my local area sell it and Gulf stations. You can really tell in a 12v. At least my old one loved the stuff. My wallet didnt though. I got Gulfs premium stuff today at 2.72 a gallon. But only drove about 10 miles on it.

 

Probably QT on 51st & I10. I was there last week and noticed the USLD stickers instead of the LSD. Bummer.

 

That QT is the one I was talking about. Where are the others?

 

The one I've used is the Zips at the Vicksburg Rd exit between Phoenix and Quartzite. Too far to drive just for fuel, but if going to Communist California or Nevada it's on the way and I always top everything off there.

 

I was getting LSD at the super saver in Parker AZ last winter, my truck sure liked that stuff, quieter and better mileage, in Canada every station has been ULSD for some time, hard to find off road up here.

 

I was going thru some one-lizard town in Wy. one time and needed fuel badly and the only place I could find was at old station that didn't even look like it was operating any more. I filled up thinking I'd be lucky to make it out of town cuz of dirt or water. I went to pay and the building was locked up and a sign on the door said to go pay at the sewing store next door - so I did. That was the best fuel I ever got - best mpg and power. Another time, I filled up at my dads favorite place, 4 Sons at Neola Ia. and got excellent working fuel. So, there can be a noticable difference in fuel. Craig