This may seem like a stupid question but what's the differences between the no.1 and no.2 diesel? Isn't it the #1 is more like kerosene and should be ran during cold winter temps?

Should a guy still put additive in his diesel even if he is buying no.1 to be on the safe side? I was thinking of running #1 fuel with Howe's additive during the winter.

Also can a guy get away with not plugging the diesel in for 8-10 hours with additive? If I ever have to drive my diesel to work I'm not sure if they have a plug for me to be able to plug my diesel in. Thanks

Edit: Just noticed I put this in the wrong place but it won't let me delete it. Thanks

 

Please fill in your sig and let us know where you live.

Depends on where you're at- out here in SoCal, running #1, plugging in the heater and adding anti-gel is mostly unnecessary unless you live up in the hills. In my neck, we get a few nights in the 20's each winter. I run homemade B100, and the thicker biodiesel torpedoes my Jetta TDI- it just won't run it. My CTD, on the other hand, will process the biodiesel at 26*F with no drama; I just let it warm up before I can expect the truck's best behavior.

 

Live in Eastern Nebraska so it gets pretty darn cold around here.

 

No doubt you should run #1 during the winter months... I'd be suprised if the fuel stations even carry #2 after October.

 

I live where it gets much colder than you and haven't used a drop of #1 in twenty years. No problems with the pickups, semi and farm tractors using straight #2 with antigel additive. I use Power Service because it's easiest to acquire.
#1 costs more and doesn't have the btus than #2 does, results in less mpgs and power. It also is much drier than #2 and provides less lubrication for your injection pump.
I personally hate the smell of it coming out the exhaust, even burns my eyes.
In my parts hardly any stations use a #1/#2 mix for winter anymore, it's all #2 plus additive, cheaper and easier. I always add the recommended amount of Power Service anyways, don't really trust big oil to keep my fuel from gelling all that much.

 

In our area they stopped selling #2 diesel that had anti gel mixed in it and was called Arctic Diesel as the anti gel they used caused problems when they mixed in 2% Bio as required for the state of MN. Now we are back to the old 70/30 blend (70% #2 and 30% #1 diesel) that they say is good for temps down to -30 below zero. Still don't know why they don't sell it to the states that don't have a Bio mandate like MN has.

 

What's the best routine for not being able to plug in your truck for 8 or so hours?

 

Just wait for the light to go out and start the truck. Unless it's below zero you will never have trouble starting it provided the batteries are in good shape and the fuel system is leak-free.

 

When I can't plug in and it's below 10F I cycle the grids twice.
Just wait for the light to go out, turn the key to off then back on again.
Engine didn't like it at all at -25F, ran crappy for quite sometime and smoked out 5 acres.

 

So a place where it can get down to as low as single digits or negative digits is it best to add fuel treatment even when running #1 diesel or blended just to be safe?

 

Just out of curiosity, how far south do stations change to #1?

 

Even if you are protected from gelling with a blend or straight #1 I would use additive for the added lubricity. Or you could use 2 cycle engine oil.
#1 is very dry and doesn't provide the lubrication modern diesel engines need.

 

I bought some Howe's to put into the tank. I see it recommends on the back not to use with 100% #1 diesel. What the best way to fill up my tank up as far as diesel ratio, etc goes.

 

Or should I Just go with a blend instead? I can get either one depending on which gas station I go to. Thanks

 

Just go with straight #2 and add your own additive.