Q: Winterized Diesel

Armand · #1 12-22-2009, 04:56 PM

I am heading to the Sierras, expecting temps in the low teens at night. Where I live we don't get winterized diesel. The question is should I take just enough fuel to refill with winterized diesel when I get up there or does it not matter at these temperatures? I would rather start the journey on a full tank. Thanks in advance.

Craig · #2 12-22-2009, 06:05 PM

I would try to put in enough fuel to get where you can purchase winterized fuel. I don't have any first hand experience since we have winterized diesel here starting around the end of October.

Craig

jaaX3 · #3 12-22-2009, 06:14 PM

What is winterized diesel? I haven't heard of any stations near me (Denver) that have it. But why is it special?

JCL · #4 12-22-2009, 06:23 PM

Standard summer diesel (#2) will gell at around -12C (from memory, based on our local diesel fuel here - it may vary regionally). 12 below freezing in C is about 20 below the freezing point in Farenheit, so that is 12 F (give or take). Once it jells, you need to heat it up to get it pumping again, often by parking in an enclosed and heated garage.

Winter diesel is produced by either blending #2 fuel oil with #1 (stove oil) to thin it out, lowering the temperature at which it gels, or it has other additives included to maintain pumpability at low temperatures.

It is important because you can get stranded if you take a vehicle with summer fuel into a very cold climate. Usually, it burns off on the way there, but it is worth being aware of. The other issue to remember is that winter diesel usually has less heat content (volumetrically) so you will get lower mileage than on summer fuel. They don't typically give you a break on the price, however.

If you live in a cold climate, your local fuel suppliers are varying the diesel automatically (it is bad for business when cars can't make it off the fuel station forecourt). All you will notice is increased fuel consumption during winter.

To the OP, you can always throw a can of fuel treatment in the trunk. I would go with a half tank and fuel up on the way, myself.

Armand · #5 12-22-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCL

Standard summer diesel (#2) will gell at around -12C (from memory, based on our local diesel fuel here - it may vary regionally). 12 below freezing in C is about 20 below the freezing point in Farenheit, so that is 12 F (give or take). Once it jells, you need to heat it up to get it pumping again, often by parking in an enclosed and heated garage.

Winter diesel is produced by either blending #2 fuel oil with #1 (stove oil) to thin it out, lowering the temperature at which it gels, or it has other additives included to maintain pumpability at low temperatures.

It is important because you can get stranded if you take a vehicle with summer fuel into a very cold climate. Usually, it burns off on the way there, but it is worth being aware of. The other issue to remember is that winter diesel usually has less heat content (volumetrically) so you will get lower mileage than on summer fuel. They don't typically give you a break on the price, however.

If you live in a cold climate, your local fuel suppliers are varying the diesel automatically (it is bad for business when cars can't make it off the fuel station forecourt). All you will notice is increased fuel consumption during winter.

To the OP, you can always throw a can of fuel treatment in the trunk. I would go with a half tank and fuel up on the way, myself.

Thanks JCL

I checked the manual. It talks about a glow plug in the tank and fuel filter heating so I presume the car will not get totally stranded but I am not taking any risks. Half tank going up and then fill up once I'm there.

JCL · #6 12-23-2009, 01:34 AM

You should be fine. Glow plugs are actually in the engine, not the tank. The heated fuel filter is because as the fuel starts to gel, the fuel filter will be the first point for a blockage. When it gels completely, all the fuel lines will be blocked by the gel as well. You will likely have some cold weather capability in the fuel (retailers switch over to a part-winter blend in the fall, usually), and you will have some residual heat from the vehicle heating up the tank and lines, so the exterior ambient isn't what the fuel usually sees while driving. The risk is when you have a cold start, after being parked outside overnight. I wouldn't worry about it excessively, it will reduce your enjoyment of the vehicle. Just know that if it does happen someday, getting the vehicle into a heated garage for a period of time will likely resolve the problem.

Craig · #7 12-22-2009, 07:00 PM

Here is a link to the fuel I run in my diesel...

MFA Oil Company

Craig

jaaX3 · #8 12-23-2009, 11:28 AM

So usually I park in our garage, but my ti is up on jack stands. So I parked the X outside and it snowed last night (still snowing) and temps are in the low 20s. This morning is the first time there has been a delay after pressing the start button. During the delay there was a glow plug symbol on the dash. The delay was about 1.5 seconds.

Craig · #9 12-23-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaaX3

So usually I park in our garage, but my ti is up on jack stands. So I parked the X outside and it snowed last night (still snowing) and temps are in the low 20s. This morning is the first time there has been a delay after pressing the start button. During the delay there was a glow plug symbol on the dash. The delay was about 1.5 seconds.

I'm sure you have wineriized diesel in CO. The fuel filter heater is controlled by the DME and I don't think it comes on until -4 degrees.
I also think it only comes on when the engine is running...

Craig

Armand · #10 12-29-2009, 10:31 PM

Just wanted to thank the folks who provided guidance on diesel fuel when traveling to the mountains. I filled up the tank heading up (regular diesel.) Once there, I added about 9 gallons of Winterized diesel. The car was garaged at night but temps did get as low as 0 F. I took every opportunity to drive the car both during day time and at night. Never had any issues with starting. Over the 450-mile trip, I averaged 26.5 mpg. I must add that we were four people with the cargo area completely filled with 2 sets of skis, boots, supplies, food etc... Winter diesel is supposed to contain less energy but I did not feel any sluggishness. Perhaps I didn't put in enough of the stuff. The fact is this car is not that thirsty!