Cetane ratings for fuel
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Cetane ratings for fuel
I stopped the other day to fill up my H.O. at a station that I had never been to before, and the pump stated that it was "Premium Diesel" with a minimum cetane rating of 45. This is the first time in my 3 years of owning diesels that I have ever seen this noted on a pump. Is this something that I should look for every time or are thay all about the same.<br><br>This "premium" fuel was priced the same as "regular" diesel at other stations.
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From: Carlisle, Ontario
Re:Cetane ratings for fuel
Angleiron, Cetane rating for diesel is the same idea as octane for gasoline. Most diesel fuel has a cetane rating of around 38-40. Good premium diesel approachs 50. Europe uses around 50. We get stuck with the crappier fuel in North America. The higher the cetane the cleaner it burns and the better the mileage. A number of stations are coming out with premiums. In Canada both Sunoco and Irving sell it. Buy it if you can get it. I've used it and find more power and better mileage.
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From: NE Wisconsin
Re:Cetane ratings for fuel
We really do not know the quality of the fuel we're buying unless that cetane number is posted. If you want to confuse the cashiers, ask them what the cetane of the diesel fuel they're selling is. I'll bet they won't have a clue what you're talking about.<br><br>When I inquired locally, the only station able to provide information was the Amoco, which is now BP. They sell Premier diesel, and it's cetane is minimum 50. Great for cold winter start-ups, minimal smoking, and better MPG. About the same price of whatever the other stations are selling.
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From: Central VA
Re:Cetane ratings for fuel
I believe the industry standard is not lower than 40 Cetane for on the road diesel.
In Virginia, the Cetane # is required to be labeled on the pump, same as the Octane # for Gasoline.
In Virginia, the Cetane # is required to be labeled on the pump, same as the Octane # for Gasoline.
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From: Eastern & Western Merryland
Re:Cetane ratings for fuel
I have used the Premium grade before and have noted higher MPG. But I think it was about $.12 higher/gallon.<br><br>The total fuel cost/mile delta was negligible over the regular.<br><br>If I could find it at the same price, thats what I would be running.
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From: outside Raleigh, NC
Re:Cetane ratings for fuel
Every time I go see my folks in SW Virginia I fill up with 45 Cetane Premium Diesel because I can't find it in NC.<br><br>It makes a difference in mpg - I just got 26.45 mpg 
after filling up with 45 cetane and driving sane on an empty long haul. Next tank was 40 cetane and regular driving (around town and 70+ to work and back) and mpg dropped to 20.23. <br><br>I just went back and checked both sets of numbers and they are correct. I have pulled close to 25 mpg on the same trip before so the addition on Diesel Kleen and the 45 cetane fuel made a difference.<br><br>Now if I could just stay out of the hammer lane on the way to work and back I might get mpg that good more often :
after filling up with 45 cetane and driving sane on an empty long haul. Next tank was 40 cetane and regular driving (around town and 70+ to work and back) and mpg dropped to 20.23. <br><br>I just went back and checked both sets of numbers and they are correct. I have pulled close to 25 mpg on the same trip before so the addition on Diesel Kleen and the 45 cetane fuel made a difference.<br><br>Now if I could just stay out of the hammer lane on the way to work and back I might get mpg that good more often :
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Re:Cetane ratings for fuel
It's been frequently stated in forums like this, that there are SIGNIFICANT variations in the various specifications of diesel fuel - from station-to-station of the same brand, and even from one load to another! Apparently, poor enforcement, and VERY loose standards for diesel fuel quality leave the consumer guessing as to what we are REALLY getting for our $$$. You hear FAR more instances of guys getting a bad tank of diesel fuel that leaves them stranded alongside the road than you do with gasoline vehicles... I rarely envy ANYTHING "European", but DO wish we would follow their lead on better control of diesel fuel quality. But until that happens, I try to cover the bases by using a good fuel additive to fill in the more critical issues of diesel fuel - sure, these engines are made for pretty low and irregular fuel quality - but my body will operate fairly well on bread and water too - but a regular supply of balanced diet and an occasionl steak sure seems to help... 
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From: Raleigh, NC
Re:Cetane ratings for fuel
I rarely envy ANYTHING "European", but DO wish we would follow their lead on better control of diesel fuel quality.
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Re:Cetane ratings for fuel
[quote author=banshee link=board=8;threadid=16598;start=#156146 date=1057249838]<br>
<br><br>I don't want to pay their 7 dollars per gallon though!! <br>[/quote]<br><br><br>HEHHEHHEH - I *said* there weren't MANY things "European" I envied...
I rarely envy ANYTHING "European", but DO wish we would follow their lead on better control of diesel fuel quality.
<br>[/quote]<br><br><br>HEHHEHHEH - I *said* there weren't MANY things "European" I envied...
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From: Des Moines, Iowa
Re:Cetane ratings for fuel
Somthing that gets me thinking about all this high cetane talk, is what is going to happen as far as fuel luberecosity(sp)?<br><br>I know that the higher the cetane level, the better the atomization, which leads to better fuel economy and power.<br><br>But higher cetane fuel has a lower vecocity(sp), so will this better fuel end up killing our pumps?
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Re:Cetane ratings for fuel
[quote author=Iron Horse link=board=8;threadid=16598;start=#156199 date=1057258213]<br>Somthing that gets me thinking about all this high cetane talk, is what is going to happen as far as fuel luberecosity(sp)?<br><br>I know that the higher the cetane level, the better the atomization, which leads to better fuel economy and power.<br><br>But higher cetane fuel has a lower vecocity(sp), so will this better fuel end up killing our pumps?<br>[/quote]<br><br>I don't think cetane level has any particular effect on lubricity within the ranges normally seen - or that relatively small changes in cetane or lubricity that are common, will have any significant effect on fuel viscosity - where do you get that info from, and do you have any hard numbers to point to?<br><br>*MY* short answer as to whether those factors will "end up killing our pumps?" is:<br><br>No.... 
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From: West Jordan, Utah
Re:Cetane ratings for fuel
As I understand it, cetane is exactly oppisitie from octane. Both numbers refer to how the fuel is burned. Higher cetane numbers mean faster burning diesel. Higher Octane numbers refer to slower burning gasoline.
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From: Central VA
Re:Cetane ratings for fuel
From duralt.com
cetane number
is a measure of the ignition quality of a diesel fuel. It is often mistaken as a measure of fuel quality. Cetane number is actually a measure of a fuel's ignition delay. This is the time period between the start of injection and start of combustion (ignition) of the fuel. In a particular diesel engine, higher cetane fuels will have shorter ignition delay periods than lower cetane fuels.
From Yahoo American Heritage Dictionary,
octane number
NOUN: A numerical representation of the antiknock properties of motor fuel, compared with a standard reference fuel, such as isooctane, which has an octane number of 100. Also called octane rating
cetane number
is a measure of the ignition quality of a diesel fuel. It is often mistaken as a measure of fuel quality. Cetane number is actually a measure of a fuel's ignition delay. This is the time period between the start of injection and start of combustion (ignition) of the fuel. In a particular diesel engine, higher cetane fuels will have shorter ignition delay periods than lower cetane fuels.
From Yahoo American Heritage Dictionary,
octane number
NOUN: A numerical representation of the antiknock properties of motor fuel, compared with a standard reference fuel, such as isooctane, which has an octane number of 100. Also called octane rating
<br><br>SD03
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From: Central VA
Re:Cetane ratings for fuel
Repost from above.
I believe the industry standard is not lower than 40 Cetane for on the road diesel.
You can always contact the HQ of the Station you frequent to see what they might tell you.
I believe the industry standard is not lower than 40 Cetane for on the road diesel.
You can always contact the HQ of the Station you frequent to see what they might tell you.
