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Bill1374's avatar
Bill1374
Explorer
Jan 12, 2015

fuel quality question

On my way to Florida to get out of the frigid, snowy north country and hit something unusual. I leave with a full tank, get fuel in Jersey, Virginia, the Carolinas and on down. Been making the trip long enough that I can tell within a few gallons what my useage will be. First surprise was in Jersey, took 6 gallons more than it should. Same with my stop in Va. and N. Carolina. Filled up in SC and now well into Ga. my useage is back to normal.
The only thing I can think of that was different is that the northern diesel pumps all showed 10% ethanol but the SC pump didn't. The difference is close to 2 mpg. Wondered if anyone else had run into this.
  • Mike LeClair wrote:
    Ummmmmmmm, wait - they put ethanol in diesel fuel? Whaaaaaaaaaaat?

    Mike


    Could have been a dual fuel pump......diesel nozzle and gas nozzle with 10% Ethanol noted on pump (which would be for the gasoline).

    OR pump had B10 notation for 10% bio-diesel and OP misspoke

    Nomenclature can be a pain sometimes.

    Regardless.......winter fuel is not as good on mileage due to lower btu content
  • Turtle n Peeps wrote:
    Winterized diesel is a blend of number 1 and number 2 diesel fuel. Number 1 diesel fuel has less energy in it than number 2 so the blend will net you less mileage.

    BTW they don't put ethanol in diesel fuel.


    Can't say it any better than this.

    Are the trips you are comparing fuel consumption to all this same time of year?
  • D1 is blended with D2 to prevent jelling in cold weather. D2 contains more energy per gallon.
  • Winterized diesel is a blend of number 1 and number 2 diesel fuel. Number 1 diesel fuel has less energy in it than number 2 so the blend will net you less mileage.

    BTW they don't put ethanol in diesel fuel.
  • The "winter blends" sold up north don't have the energy content that the "regular blends" have. We always get worse mileage in the winter.

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