Why won't any of the suppliers say if they are delivering winter blended fuel, or if it even exists?! Two phone calls to the local suppliers gave me the run around on winter blends or additives.

Do they actually think this is a liability to give out this info? All I'm trying to find out if this is so and when it starts. My mileage is lower and I'm pretty sure this is why since it happens every year.

What gives?

 

They do here, but I never trust their timing. Too late is too late. Find a source for #1 and buy an in bed tank for mixing.

 

Normally starts in October or early November depending on how cold it is in your area.

 

I thought #1 is hard on vp44's.

And yes, it must start in October around here because my mileage always drops on my hunting trip, at least that's when I really notice it. I lose about 2 mpg.

 

At the local Hoiday station the winter fuel spec are posted right on the diesel pump. I think we are in the 3rd or 5 levels now. Gotta fill today so I'll check.

 

The diesel pumps in my area give you a push button choice straight #1, a 50/50 #1/#2 blend or anti-gel additive treated #2 (winter only).
Sign on top of the pumps says what temperature each is good down to.

I don't trust any of them though and always add the recommended amount of Power Service at each fill up.

 

In WA you have to go out to the fringes to even find Off-Road. I haven't seen #1 offered at any pumps.

I'm just a little steemed that the two suppliers here in town won't give me a straight answer on this. The secretary answers the phone, then gets completely confused at my question, puts me on hold and then tries to relay what she was told by her boss.

Just put the boss on the phone!

Customer sevice is unimportant in this area because you're over a barrel no matter what.

 

FWIW. mileage also drops in cooler weather. Takes soome fuel to get all the fluids up to temp, plus cooler air is more dense, taking more energy to move through.
Given #2 is in theory good down to 20-25 or so, i would think that on the coastal side of your State they would stay with #2.
And yes, customer service is mostly dead, Long Live Customer Service!

 

We have 5 levels. Wouldn't you know level 2 starts tomorrow and I had to fill today. Level 2 is good to -20. this holds to about 3rd week of Dec. level 3 goes to -30 for the coldest part of the winter then starts ramping back up.

We have 2% bio all the time. It's usually pretty clean now. A real problem the first winter.

 

I heard you now have 5% Bio. IIRC the winter Bio problems was traced to the great winter additive that Flint Hills used to winterize #2 diesel down to -36 below without the use of 30% #1 diesel fuel. I sure wish they would not of ban its usage in the pipe line as with them now going back to using 30% #1 diesel to winterize diesel I lose 2 mpg during the wintertime and it cost of diesel goes up when they use #1 diesel to winterize #2.

 

Thanks for all the replies and comments, guys.

I think I am more frustrated with not getting a straight answer than anything else. My overhead shows a14.6 mpg avg this time of year unless I head east. Its usually around 16 most the rest of the time. That's mostly around town driving. I guess I'm only losing about a mile anda half so its not that bad.

 

Does it even get cold enough for the need to winterize fuel in western WA?
I know they don't routinely winterize the fuel in the Portland area.

 

You are correct about Portland but if you were to go 20 miles east to Troutdale you would find they have winterized diesel as it gets colder there then in Portland do to the cold coming out of the Columbia Gorge.

 

The only time I am concerned about what fuel I am getting when winter is here is when I am traveling in and out of warmer/colder climates. Years ago I learned the hard way what happens when I travel from AZ north into WY and MT.
I thought I was smart and planned my trip for a fill up of #1 when I got to Cheyenne. Apparently everyone else was on the same gameplan. I never made it to the Flying J. I stalled out when I hit the cold front at 3 miles from the exit. I still had some fuel in the factory tank...under a quarter but it was regular number 2 from Phoenix. Had to hitch a ride from the scales into Cheyenne with -50 windchills and -35 temp. If I was to have waited for a wrecker or any kind of help...it was going to be 7-8 hours! I bought three 5 gallon jugs and put some Power Service in each jug with #2 since all the #1 was sold out! A guy in a Jeep saw me at the pumps without a truck in that howling nasty weather. [having flashbacks now AHHHHH]. He asked me where I was going with the jugs and took me there! I had ether in the truck. It was my 90 ram. I poured the fuel in and gave her three shots of the ether and it started! During all this a state trooper stayed behind the truck and trailer with my buddy in his car staying warm. Wow was that nasty. I drove up to Douglas and filled both tanks with #1. Climate change while traveling has not caught me like that again!

I know where I am the fuel is blended for the climate...as it is pretty much everywhere else. I have had no need to add anything to the tanks unless I plan to travel out of the real cold where I am and back again.

Scotty

 

I was just really trying to be sure my mileage loss was from a change in fuel and nothing else.

As far as I know it gets winterized up here. I know we got it at the ski area and it can get pretty cold at times. Also, you can get into the colder climes pretty quickly from here so I would think it would be good to have it.