I came across a gas stations today that had what they called premium diesel. Never seen it before. It was 3 cents more per litre (about 10 cents per gallon). They had the following benefits on their sign - better starting, more horsepower, higher mileage, improved emissions. The owner indicated it is higher cetane. Anyone heard of this or used it in their truck?

I use premium all the time. Its been around for yers but not very manynstations carries it.Its probaly only 44-45 Cetane where as good regular is usually around 40-41 Cetane. Don't think there is any law that says what either has to be but read somewhere that a law is in the making. My truck seems to run a little better/quieter but sometimes I think its in my head. Cost is the same here in San Antonio. My milage is 16mpg city/express driving using either regular or premium. Edited by: Bill Gisse

bp stations around detroit have premium/supreme diesel, put 1 tank of regular in and got 1mpg less, all other tanks have been premium

it smells different too or should i say doesnt smell

Premium diesel usually refers to the additive package blended in before it gets to the pump.


According to the NCWM "premium diesel" has to meet at least two of the five following criteria:
<UL>
<LI>Energy content (Btu)--fuel must have at least 138,700 Btu, per ASTM D-250 </LI>
<LI>Cetane number--fuel must have cetane number of at least 47, per ASTM-613</LI>
<LI>Fuel injector cleanliness--fuel must pass either a CRC rating test with a 10.0 or less, OR it must have a flow loss of 6% or less on the Cummins L-10 test</LI>
<LI>Low temperature operability--cold flow performance down to ASTM D-975 tenth percentile minimum ambient air temperature charts and maps for the region and time of year where the fuel is sold. Performance proven by Low-Temperature Flow test, ASTM D-4539, on Cloud Point Test</LI>
<LI>Thermal Stability--fuel must get at least an 80% reflectance measurement using a filter in the Octel F21-61 test.</LI>[/list]


Note that is ONLY 2 of any of the 5. AND note that lubricity is not one of them. There are several suppliers out there peddling premium fuel, not simply additives, with claims of superior lubricity to regular diesel. Your best bet is to ask them to prove it or get it analyzed yourself.


It has been said that buying premium diesel is about the same as adding a bottle of your favorite treatment at every fill up. Since Bosch is concerned about the quality of North American fuel relative to lubricity and since many additives make the claim of increasing lubricity, it might behoove you (if you care) to do your homework and then do the math and figure which is best for you.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Geek.gif


Premium or packaged additive, you decide.

I always use an additive, and I always use BP diesel it's labeled Premier Diesel and it's crystal clear like water, Don't know if this is premium or not and neither does the guy at the gas station. When I do find BP premium I will use that, but I still use my additive. 14,000 miles and counting.

Since you're buying BP, go here and scroll down to the various diesel fuels that are offered:


http://www.bpdirect.com/products/#p3


Notice that it is the ULTRA-low sulfur fuel that meets the "tough lubricity standards." It's availability is limited and therefore it's probably not what you'll find in your area.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif

Yep, its good stuff.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif