Just got my first Diesel (2005 3500 dually 4X4) and would like to know about fuel. I plan on using Chevron, Shell and Amoco as my regular fill up stations. Are these acceptable or should I be looking at others? Or does it really matter where I get my diesel fuel?

Thanks for your time
Mac

 

At this point I say the CHEAPEST!!! Most of the local stations (where i live) get their fuel from the same place, It too is a local company. Usually I use the Meijer station.

 

I would buy the cheapest fuel I could and put a good fuel additive if you worried. Most popular is Power Service in the white bottle.

Biodiesel is looking a lot more attractive.

Edwin

 

Really doesn't matter what brand.
You just want to choose a station that has a high turnaround, meaning the Diesel doesn't sit in the underground tanks for months, collecting algae, water, and who know what else.

After you've played around with the few different manufacturers, you might find your truck doesn't particularly like one brand or another.

I frequent either Chevron or Phillips (I think Conoco just merged with them).

I tried Sinclair a couple times, as it is usually a couple cents cheaper around here, but the truck just didn't like it, seemed to be lacking in power and mileage.

When traveling, I try to hit stations just off the freeway, yes they might be a bit more,
but I know they move fuel,
I also try to stay with Chevron, as they seem to be everywhere.
I also keep a bottle of additive D'Jour in the toolbox.
Powerservice usually, since you can get it anywhere, but when I see Lucas or Stanadyne, I stock up.


phox

 

i go down to the local truck stop. they are the cheapest and you know there is a high turn around because it's the last set of major truck stops going up to canada. last i looked they were at 2.19

 

I'd have to agree with the turnaround theory, You do not want any water or algea in your fuel. I had problems with a fleet fuel place, I was getting so much water, my filter would rust,and they had a large turn around,so no matter where you get it from check it out and make sure its good. I have to disagree about going to the cheapest place, most places are going to be with in a few cents of each other and after you put 35 gallons in,if you pay .05 more than the other less perferd place, thats only 1.75 so IMO go with the better stuff.

 

Except for a very few brands all diesel is the same except for additives.

Everything and more than you ever wanted to know about diesel here>
http://www.chevron.com/prodserv/fuels/bulletin/diesel/

 

I think the stories about high fuel turnover dealers having better fuel are more mythical and urbqan legend than real. Many of those places have been in business for a long time and who knows what kind of biology experiments and primordial ooze are lurking in those old storage tanks. Is there any EPA/Govt requirement for them to steam clean them periodically?

Before I started running bio, the best fuel I found (mileage wise) around here came from the local Royal Farms. They have lots of business, new/clean tanks and also have the best prices locally.

 

Mac - most of these guys have missed a crucial factor - likely because they don't live in FL. I just moved from FL, having lived there for 9 yrs. Hess has the best diesel in FL hands down. The reason being that Hess has their Amerada refinery just off the southern tip of FL, which directly feeds FL and a few other states. In any case, corporate hess stations in FL all are required to use hess fuel only, it is kept separate from the typical fungible pipeline product. You will typically see a little writing on the windows of the station "amerada hess corporation."

Myself and a group others have done a number of laboratory fuel analyses on various brands/stations in FL. In the 4 tests I personally did, both amoco, texaco, and citgo all had a cetane index of 42 to 42.8 - all very close and more than likely the same fuel. 5 Hess stations were tested. Average cetane 49.5. Lowest being 47.9 and highest 51. Being closer to the source helps apparently Hope this helps you out - I know in the three diesels I ran in FL, the hess fuel definitely ran better.

Mac where are you in Fl? If you like I can pm you some specifics on exact station locations and test results. Hope this helps

 

With the crazy fuel prices, I just bought some B20 at the same price that Royal Farms charges down the street for #2. And that B20 price is lower than most dealers around here.

 

Thanks for the information everyone - I aapreciate it.

Lightman I live in South Florida and will check out the Hess stations - thanks

And Infidel that link was great - thanks

Mac

 

Chris where in Marryland did you find the B20 that cheap?????