Most places around here sell 40 cetane diesel, and I took that as normal. Recently, I purchased fuel at a BP, and the only diesel pump was 47 cetane, "premium diesel". Now, a local country store is carrying diesel, and it is 45 cetane. And, it is 10 cents cheaper than in town. Can someone clue me in on the difference, if there is one? Besides the price, am I better off with the higher cetane rated fuel?

 

It's just like Octane levels on Gasoline.

I forget what Cummins recommends however, but premium is perfectly fine.

 

Higher cetane improves starting and makes the engine run quieter. 40 is fine but 47 is nicer.

 

Wow, i've never seen a diesel pump around here with a posted cetane number. Sure would be nice!!

 

same never seen a cetane number

 

According to the Tech Facts section here, minimum 40 cetane diesel fuel is required for ambient temperatures above 32F, and minimum 45 cetane for temps below 32F. That may be the reason why we don't see the cetane number posted at the pump, as it probably varies throughout the seasons.

In years past, the local BP/Amoco stations used to provide flyers that stated their Premier diesel fuel had a minimum cetane rating of 50. Since the advent of ultra low sulfur diesel fuel, I haven't seen any of those, and it's my understanding that ULSD would have a higher cetane for emissions reasons, but still no rating on the pump.

 

I think it needs to be manditory to have cetane #'s posted. Never know what your getting, and the next station down may have better stuff at the same price.

This would be the reason you hear some say they get great fuel mileage with one station, but loose 2-3mpg's at another.

Would be nice if we could get some of that good stuff from Europe. I think it's like 58 min. cetane. Remember Marco saying he had troubles with dyno numbers and mileage gain claims in the begining, because he forgot to factor the poor fuel from the states into the equation.

 

From what I've read on several truck forums that in Europe the minimum Cetane is 50, the highest I've read about was 60 and 55 being the average.

 

everywhere i have ever been its always posted as 40