What diesel to use in a really cold climate.

mfreund · Jan 8, 2014

Egon said:
If you live in a really cold climate the service stations will have what you need in their tanks.

HA HA HA Not down here.

smfcpacfp · Feb 4, 2014

mfreund said:
HA HA HA Not down here.

Not here either.

diesel lover · Feb 4, 2014

CobyRupert said:
In my case I can get kerosene but haven't found a place to get No. 1. Seems like a lot of people cut the No. 2 with that, or as one person here says, run it straight. Does anybody know the lubrication of kerosene compares to No. 1? Would you run straight No. 1 without a lubrication additive? Would you run a 50/50 kerosene/No. 2 mix without a lubricant additive?

I have heard number 2 diesel 80% to 20 percent kerosene is an acceptable mix for mechanically injected engines. I would like to know as well if there is a problem to cutting either number 2 or blended no 2 with kerosene. A little over 3 years ago when I lived in Michigan I thought that it was a crazy story people from the south told when it came to engines gelling in other places because the fuel at the pump was not blended or treated for cold temperatures at that time of year. Now after 2 years of working at a truck shop I have found the information to be true. DO NOT trust the pumps in states that are not ready to move snow. Indiana is one of those states. My company paid me to dump in additive to dowse fuel apon delivery. Fuel was deliveried in 7,700 gallon amounts. We were told to add one gallon of additive to every 1000 gallons fuel. This company did not trust the oil or fuel companys. This and their trucks would most likely be traveling further in cold climates, not to mention if they had 1/4 tank of no 2 fuel from Florida and they added fuel at our fuel pump that was treated to -25 F than this fuel would be good to -10 (maybe). Some areas around here you can trust the fuel and many can't. Honestly it will not hurt to add additive to your tank when temps are close to 0F. By no means am I saying to over do it. Kerosene is widely available here but diesel at the pump is labeled "Diesel". There are no labels of what the fuel is treated down to and some times it does not even list the cetene number of the fuel your pumping

Looking4new · Feb 4, 2014

Up here the fuel suppliers change over to 'winter' diesel in October and back to 'summer' in April. I believe it is a blend of #2+ #1 and in every jerry can I splash in a couple of ounces of Kleen Flo winter anti-gel.

Dave M7040 · Feb 5, 2014

I order my diesel at the start of the winter and pay a premium for -40 blend coloured. I use this fuel all year as most of my consumption is in the winter. Before using the -40, I had a few scarey instances when the tractor would stop suddenly when I was out on the road at the end of my driveway. I think playing chemist by blending kerosene or other stuff with diesel risks expensive damage to your engine.
Dave M7040

dodge man · Feb 5, 2014

There is nothing wrong with dumping kerosene into your diesel. kerosene is a dryer fuel, but I can't say exactly how much. If in doubt dump in some additive. I'm not a big fan of additives except to prevent gelling, but if I was running a high blend of kerosene, this would be a case I'd recommend it for the lubricity. It also depends on when the engine was built. Newer engines are going to take the dryer fuel better than older ones. As far as I know, number 1 diesel and kerosene are very similar in nature. \

Problem in my area is you can't get kerosene except in off road dyed. If I mixed it into my truck, I'd be risking a ticket for running a dyed fuel.

puckgrinder85 · Feb 7, 2014

We've sold a lot of power service this year in our shop, people with diesels today just don't have a clue what the **** they are driving around in.

smfcpacfp · Mar 1, 2014

Dave M7040 said:
I order my diesel at the start of the winter and pay a premium for -40 blend coloured. I use this fuel all year as most of my consumption is in the winter. Before using the -40, I had a few scarey instances when the tractor would stop suddenly when I was out on the road at the end of my driveway. I think playing chemist by blending kerosene or other stuff with diesel risks expensive damage to your engine.
Dave M7040

- 40 is the gel point for #1 diesel, so it looks like your blend is straight #1 maybe with an additive for lubrication which is what I use. It was -34F here yesterday morning, but I had no need to run my tractor.

smfcpacfp · Feb 20, 2015

I also have a rule that I will follow. Right now it is -24F at 1:30 AM and going lower. When it that cold I am not going to use my tractor. It can wait for a better day, being a retiree.

cat fever · Feb 20, 2015

I will try to be brief; I do know a little about this since I have worked in an oil refinery for the last 22 years. We make summer, transition and winter diesel fuel. If possible I would buy enough winter grade to last all year. The "cloud" spec is 6 degrees with a "pour point" spec of -15 degrees. This fuel will be fine all year, but as most of you know summer fuel is only good for warm weather. Typically the fuel we make far exceeds the above mentioned specs. I am an avid snowmobiler and have to start my truck all the time in sub 0 temps at high altitude. I do not add any additive and never have, and have never had any problems. (98 Dodge Ram Cummins) If you are in negative 25 or colder cutting #2 with some #1 is OK. like 70/30 split. One more thing; #1 diesel is Jet A without any sulfur. Kerosene and Jet A are the same thing. So if you can get Jet A from a local airport it has the sulfur lubricating properties but could cause other problems with new clean fuel technologies. (engines)