Diesel Fill Up Tips or Tricks?

[FunfDreisig]

I've only run our 35d tank down to the "fuel warning" once. It took 20.5 US Gal to fill it up.

Funf Dreisig

[Diesel Guy]

Typo......21.74 gallons............or maybe I filled up the DEF tank too !

[genemish]

Originally Posted by Diesel Guy

Typo......21.74 gallons............or maybe I filled up the DEF tank too !

wheeew...

[Craig]

Originally Posted by edco

Standyne Power Boost (I think) is the complete name. Cheaper by the case. It's recommended for all of your points but especially in the winter or cold temps to reduce gelling. I dont think it impacted emissions or boosted cetane, and I dont recall any boost in fuel economy.

My personal experience was that diligence of maintenance on the diesel was of greater importance ie, fuel filter. Lots of the folks in the TDI club replaced their VW filter with a Caterpillar filter as it was " heavier duty" and could last 1-2 years. You also bring up a point with the cetane value. All diesel fuel is not created equally, especially when the US went to ultra low emissions fuel. Finding a local, high quality diesel supplier was a primary concern, but I found that the local Hess station was fairly good, though it didnt have diesel fuel at the same pumps as gas so you could spend time waiting behind tractors to fill up before you got a turn.

I guess the OP has already decided that he's sticking with "dino" fuel as it's known in the diesel world. Probably a good choice if you arent used to the quirks and pet peeves of the diesel world.

Ed

On the fuel cap, BMW states, no additives... You can void your warranty.

Craig

[Diesel Guy]

you really don't need additives. If you buy quality fuel, they're likely already in it. The fuel racks will usually blend #1 and #2 Diesel this time of year, and put the anti-gel additives before it goes on the truck to your fuel station.

Unless you're filling up in Florida, and then put you car on a truck to Montana, and then try to start in the AM, you're gonna be OK. The problem with additives, and modern diesels, is the opportunity to put to much in the tank, which could lead to injector failures down the road.

Don't over think the fuel issue.

[Fraser]

Hang in there US diesel owners and would-be owners. The more diesels on the road, the better the diesel filling experience will become. Well, at least, that's the experience here in especially metropolitan Australia in the last ten years where we have gone from next to no (2%) diesel cars/SUVs to over 14 percent of new cars/SUVs sold.
Of course filling a diesel it will never be as painless as filling a petrol vehicle but that's the price you have to pay for the better driving experience that a turbo diesel offers over an atmospheric petrol engine, even those that are much larger than the turbo diesel in question. Turbo petrol engines are, of course, another story again.

[philliptiongson]

I am a new 2011 X5 35d owner, and I am still on my first tank of diesel. I know that there is pretty muCh one grade of diesel from car pumps (#2?) I think. But my X5 also came with a filler kit that allows you to bypass the safety mechanism so that you can fill the tank from a truck stop pump. Is his an emergency only kind of backup? Or is it fine to switch back and forth at will?

What about biodiesel? Can I buy that with no mods needed to the car? Or is that also aski fo trouble?

Thanks for the help!
-phillip

[alexmish]

I've been paying close attention in the past week of diesel fuel availability around where I live, and happy to report that I can get it at $3.09 within 1.5 miles from my house, and for $2.89 within 4 miles... And there is even a place 2 miles away which sells it for $3.29, but open 24x7, which will work for emergencies...

[SkipSauls]

Originally Posted by alexmish

I've been paying close attention in the past week of diesel fuel availability around where I live, and happy to report that I can get it at $3.09 within 1.5 miles from my house, and for $2.89 within 4 miles... And there is even a place 2 miles away which sells it for $3.29, but open 24x7, which will work for emergencies...

Are you checking yourself or are you using one of these sites:

GasBuddy.com - Find Low Gas Prices in the USA and Canada
AAA Fuel Gauge Report
GasPriceWatch - Power to the People at the Pump

? There are others, and between them you can find good information on prices in your area, on a trip, and so on.

Regarding the diesel experience, I've been driving a GMC HD diesel pickup for the past 7 years and find that it's getting better, and it's better at most gas stations than truck stops. If you don't have rubber gloves handy then grab a wad of paper towels from the dispensers for windshields, or inside the station. Keeping a pack of cheap terry cloth towels in the car can also come in handy for grabbing the handle and wiping up any mess. Just be sure to throw the towel away rather than keeping it to avoid the fumes.

[alexmish]

Originally Posted by SkipSauls

Are you checking yourself or are you using one of these sites:

GasBuddy.com - Find Low Gas Prices in the USA and Canada
AAA Fuel Gauge Report
GasPriceWatch - Power to the People at the Pump

? There are others, and between them you can find good information on prices in your area, on a trip, and so on.

Regarding the diesel experience, I've been driving a GMC HD diesel pickup for the past 7 years and find that it's getting better, and it's better at most gas stations than truck stops. If you don't have rubber gloves handy then grab a wad of paper towels from the dispensers for windshields, or inside the station. Keeping a pack of cheap terry cloth towels in the car can also come in handy for grabbing the handle and wiping up any mess. Just be sure to throw the towel away rather than keeping it to avoid the fumes.

Myself and all of these