In anticipation of my new truck arriving, I've been checking-out all the local diesel fuel stations. None of them list the cetane rating on the pump! And the maroons who work there have no idea what I'm talking about. Is this the way it is in other parts of the country? I would never buy gasoline without the octane rating or grade clearly displayed. Hess is a sometimes exception at "45 Minimum Cetane Rating". Is this good enough per the owner's manual? Your thoughts please...

 

Same here. Nobody posts the cetane rating on the pumps.

MikeyB

 

Here's list it's old though, can't vouch for it
http://www20.brinkster.com/beowulf9/....asp?View=FULL

You won't find any diesel in the US under 40 cetane unless someone is cheating.

 

Only certain states mandate cetane numbers on the pump. For the most part though, all the fuel in your area is going to be fungible #2 that travels down the pipeline to the local terminal, at which point it's separated into branded trucks and additized if that company chooses to. Basically all the stations in most people's areas are serving the exact same fuel, typically 40-43 cetane. Hess does typically carry a minimum cetane of 42-45, and is probably the best choice in your area.

I don't know of any suppliers of true premium diesel in your area, although possibly Irving fuels make it down that far. I am spoiled being in one of very few states lucky enough to get 50 cetane minimum BP Diesel Supreme.

Beowulf's premium diesel list has gotten so far out of control it's almost not useful anymore.

 

Here we have the Shell Stations w/ premiem diesel, but no employees can explain why it's premium.

 

Shell 'premium diesel' is the same as most generic 'premium' diesel fuels. They do have a premium in Canada that is actually decent compared to #2. Most generic premium diesel fuels are regular #2 that has been additized at the terminal. All it has to meet is 2 of 5 characteristics of premium diesel to be legally called premium. Typically the fuels just have an added detergent and stabilizers, or antigels in the winter. Most premium diesel isn't worth the extra cost associated, unless it's the real deal like BP supreme or Amoco premier, which are 50 cetane minimum, start from more refined/better basestocks, and are kept separate from #2 the whole way, from refinery to pump. There are some smaller regional companies that do sell 50 cetane true premium fuel, however they are few and far between.