Top Tier Gasoline vs. Diesel

[ChuckG]

The minimum cetane rating in California for automobile use is 53 and it is ULSD.

Chuck

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by Fraser

Interesting that you mention the sulphur content issue. Here in Australia where we have various E53 and E70 diesels since 2003, many of the updates with the diesel engines (and there's been lots of them) have coincided with a reduction in diesel fuel sulphur content according to the Australian government mandates. Over the last decade the mandated maximum sulphur content has dropped from literally anything to 5ppm in a series of steps. From memory it first went to 500ppm, the 50ppm (we call that LSD) to 5ppm (our ULSD).

In the USA, ULSD is considered 15ppm. Wow, 5ppm is super low. I thought CA had the world's most stringent guidelines! Great!!

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by deutsch100

In the USA, ULSD is considered 15ppm. Wow, 5ppm is super low. I thought CA had the world's most stringent guidelines! Great!!

As I said, figures quoted were from memory. Our current diesel standard is actually 10ppm sulphur not 5ppm. 5ppm is the next level where we are headed.

[Armand]

As of Dec. 1st 2010 all highway diesel in the US is ULSD. You can no longer obtain LSD on the highway

[Syndicate]

I haven't seen any Chevron stations over here, but can vouch for Shell. When I had the M3, I only used Shell V-Max 100. Now with the 40d, I'm only using the V-Max diesel. I was told that when it comes to cars, to not be cheap on two things: Petrol and Tires.

Merry Christmas.

[dmfelger]

Originally Posted by Syndicate

I haven't seen any Chevron stations over here, but can vouch for Shell. When I had the M3, I only used Shell V-Max 100. Now with the 40d, I'm only using the V-Max diesel. I was told that when it comes to cars, to not be cheap on two things: Petrol and Tires.

Merry Christmas.

And brakes.

[AzNMpower32]

In most states around here, the minimum cetane level is 40 which is probably lower than the DME would like, despite the fact it compensates.

I try to stick to BP since they're the only ones that occasionally sell 47 cetane "Premium Diesel" around here. Shell usually carries a 40-cetane despite labeling it as "premium diesel". Chevron/Texaco left the east coast markets this past summer. If I'm near one, Southern States sells 45-cetane premium diesel.

All diesel sold in this area is ULSD, the only difference is on-road and off-road (untaxed for farm use only) diesel.

[StayRight]

I actually work in the petroleum industry for a company that tests fuels nationwide for all of "Big Oil". A common misconception that people have is that one company has better fuel than the next. That is both true and false at the same time. All of these companies buy and sell fuel to/from each other. The biggest difference is the additives they use in the fuel. For gasoline, the best premium gasoline you can get is Shell. The detergents they use clean the valves etc better than any other. I actually went to a presentation given by a 3rd party (not Shell) about this. Chevron came in a close 2nd. Mom and pop fuel stations do not use the additives that Big Oil does, hence the slightly cheaper price. Another thing is that mom and pop shops do not have the oversight programs Big Oil does, meaning they can get away with a lot more funny business if they wanted. Although private owners own Exxons, BP, Shell etc gas stations, Big Oil has oversight programs to randomly test the octanes to make sure there is no monkey business.
Diesel fuel would be also best bought from a known oil company fuel station for the same reason, additives and detergents. Now that I just bought a diesel I will do a little research and advise who has the best and report back.
Little long but hope that helps shed a little light on the situation

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by StayRight

I actually work in the petroleum industry for a company that tests fuels nationwide for all of "Big Oil". A common misconception that people have is that one company has better fuel than the next. That is both true and false at the same time. All of these companies buy and sell fuel to/from each other. The biggest difference is the additives they use in the fuel. For gasoline, the best premium gasoline you can get is Shell. The detergents they use clean the valves etc better than any other. I actually went to a presentation given by a 3rd party (not Shell) about this. Chevron came in a close 2nd. Mom and pop fuel stations do not use the additives that Big Oil does, hence the slightly cheaper price. Another thing is that mom and pop shops do not have the oversight programs Big Oil does, meaning they can get away with a lot more funny business if they wanted. Although private owners own Exxons, BP, Shell etc gas stations, Big Oil has oversight programs to randomly test the octanes to make sure there is no monkey business.
Diesel fuel would be also best bought from a known oil company fuel station for the same reason, additives and detergents. Now that I just bought a diesel I will do a little research and advise who has the best and report back.
Little long but hope that helps shed a little light on the situation

Thanks A LOT! I filled up last with Shell Diesel #2 ULSD. I was talking to a guy (actually he came up to me, kind of paranoid & told me: "You're putting Diesel in your BMW!!! We started talking about Diesel (he has a huge Ford diesel and a 335d). He likes Shell best, since the station is always busy with diesel owners, and the diesel never has a chance to sit in the underground tanks. Also, the local Shell station I went to is cheaper per gallon than Premium gasoline and less than the 2 local Chevrons, Mobil and Unocal 76.

But after your research, let us know what you think is the best diesel. Thanks

[JasonG]

Yes, please let us know what your research shows...having 2 diesel vehicles i'd like to take care of i'd find that very valuable.