Hey, EmptyQuiver:
Since you know a lot about this, can you explain the difference between winter and summer fuels for diesels? I understand that they add something or change the formulation for winter use so the fuel doesn't gel. Does that have an effect on performance and fuel mileage?
Also, I go to a station with a lot of diesel buyers. It's a favorite of truckers because it's the best station in the area for diesel. I get in a lot of good conversations.
Some pour in an additive. I've never asked what it does. Are you familiar with this, and what it does?
Also, did you say that you actually have to stop and wait when the particulate filter is being cleaned out, automatically I presume? Yikes!!!
As for pickup truck engines, I've been amazed at how people will switch brands because of the reputation of a particular diesel engine. For example, Ford has a bad one for a while, so they switch to Chevy or Dodge, and vice versa.
Thanks!
As to fuel. Summer time you get Diesel that is based on #2 fuel oil ( lots of tech stuff that separate the two but work with me here ). That summer fuel will start to congeal and have wax particles form somewhere around 20 degrees. There are two ways to combat this one is to cut the fuel with a lighter grade ( #1 furnace oil, Kerosene being common) or use a chemical compound that fights the coagulation of the wax particles ( Power Service, Howes, and many others). Heavy fuel gives the most power the wax burns hot and is a good thing, blended fuel passes through the filters and ignites at lower temperatures also a good thing. Heavier fuel with additive can burn hot and should pass through the filters a really good thing, it may not allow the engine to start which isn't so good. Fuel blending is a art and a science unto itself. In my experience i would rather give up economy and power so I ere on the thin side ( I do not buy fuel). The fleet manager tends to ere on the heavy side ( he pays the fuel bill and sits in an office).
Truckers and additive. As I said before I am the one who might be sitting along side the road at -17, 50 miles from a truck stop at 0230 friday night. Good luck getting timely service. I use enough additive to work with summer fuel if needed. If the fuel station does not get the blend correct sorry won't do me much good 600 miles away. Which brings up another point, fuel is blended for the local climate primarily. If I were to fuel in say Kentucky I would not have to fuel again for 1300 miles give or take. That might put me in International falls, Mn. at -31, or perhaps in Miami, Fl. at 81. Those heading north will put in plenty of additive ( probably would not top off either) those going south would try to find untreated / blended fuel.
Regen as it is called. Rarely does one have to stop for the regen cycle. But, if your recent driving style or conditions have not allowed for an automatic regen yes you pull over and it cycles, or you limp along at VASTLY reduced power. The particulate trap does just that, it filters out the soot particles. When the engine management computer senses enough back pressure it goes through a process of dumping fuel into the trap and igniting the fuel and burning the soot. I look at this as dumping your ashtray along the road rather than flipping the butts out the window as you smoke,
( but I'm not an EPA official so I am no doubt wrong ) Most of the time it does this and you never know about it.
Brand loyalty. They all have been dealing with the EPA mandates, Some have done a better job than others and when they leapfrog the competition they reap the benefits. The new standards have been coming out every 2-3 years and this is why some are good today and not so good next year. Just know this none are as good as they were in 2003 before all this crap started. [/size]
[size=78%]As I understand it the DEF systems hold the most promise and is where most Diesels are right now. At some point these things will be standardized and the memory of 20mpg and 200k with one service will be faded. Who knows it may be like the gassers the 2013 Ford Boss302 is faster now than it was in 1969 who would have thunk it ten years ago?
