The best cetane rating I can find in my area is 40. It was 45 with the LSD but since ULSD took over it has all dropped down to 40 and my milage has dropped (not going to beat a dead horse, even though it'd make me feel a bit better). I've heard that some areas have premium diesel fuel with a cetane rating of 55. I'm just wondering if we're getting the shaft around here. It wouldn't suprise me since people here in the central appalachians have been pushed around and crapped on by the coal companies, natural gas companies, power companies, I better end that before I REALLy get going

 

National average has been 42 for a few yrs now.
Some ag areas in N. midwest can get Premium Diesel, with 50 cetane minimum... for about $.10 a gal more.
Fuel companies can't go below 40. I believe most diesels won't start if cetane is lower.

You need Bio diesel or an additive that increases Cetane.

RJ

 

where is the cetane # posted- on the fuel pump, or do you have to call somewhere to find this info? thanks.

 

99% of the stations in our area are posted as 40 Cetane.
This is a minimum cetane rating.
From load to load it might vary, but IIRC it HAS to be at least 40 Cetane to be called diesel fuel.

There are a few "Premium" diesel stations that advertise as 45 Cetane.
....of course at a much higher price.

 

It is usually on a square sticker somewhere on the pump and shouldn't take much searching. I've been to some locations where they don't have it posted. I'm not sure if it is a law or not, but when I go to a place that doesn't have it I'll encourage them to.

 

40 on all the pumps around here, but the stickers are so old, you don't know what you are getting. wish I could find some higher rated stuff.

 

40 here.........

 

No stickers on pumps in this state - ripoff .
I remember reading that Bosch saying that there fuel systems should have a min. of 45 , and prefer higher .

 

Curious?? Why would a fuel pump mfg care about Cetane rating?
It's not a lubricity additive, to my knowledge. Can't reason that one out.

I think the 40 sticker on the pumps is like ED says.... just a posting of a min value, to let us know it's at least usable.

RJ

 

the fuel pump manufactures dont care. it is a sticker that the station puts on there like the regular gas pumps.

 

Cummins use to have a white paper online that stated 42 should be the minimum Cetane for diesel fuel in the summer and IIRC 46-47 Cetane for the wintertime and that using high cetane fuel was good for the engine.

 

Pump labeling law are state specific. Pretty much either your state requires them or not. I don't see any in Illinois.

 

ive never seen anything but 40