Diesel Fuel Options.........

[Bobalos]

I know there was some discussion about this a while back, but there seem to be more options out there now & quite a bit more fuel burned, so I thought I would come back to this.

I am in San Diego (City mostly) and I have been searching for "good old fashioned diesel #2" for my 99 Ram & in the last few months, it has been VERY hard to find.  most stations around here have changed over to B20.  So Ive been doing a bit of research to educate myself on all of the options out there now.  It appears that there is "Bio-Diesel" & "renewable diesel". 

Bio-Diesel is a blend of 80% #2 Diesel & up to 20% of some organic fuel ([SIZE=10pt]The primary source for biodiesel in the U.S. is soybean oil, although it is also made from, "Yellow grease" (used restaurant oil from cooking), algae, canola, animal tallow.).  Bio-Diesel, can be anywhere from 5% bio up to 20% Bio.  [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt][/SIZE]

Renewable Diesel is 100%

is made of nonpetroleum renewable resources such as natural fats, vegetable oils, and greases. “Renewable diesel, much like biodiesel, is derived from waste agricultural products, particularly waste vegetable oils and waste animal fats[SIZE=10pt][/SIZE]




Renewable diesel and biodiesel are not the same fuel. Renewable diesel, previously known as green diesel, is a hydrocarbon produced most often by hydrotreating and also via gasification, pyrolysis, and other biochemical and thermochemical technologies. It meets ASTM D975 specification for petroleum diesel. Biodiesel is a mono-alkyl ester produced via transesterification. Biodiesel meets ASTM D6751 and is approved for blending with petroleum diesel

one of the things Ive read is that B20 has quite a bit less "energy" than #2 Diesel so mileage can suffer.  most folks dont seem to see this.  it is also susceptible to freezing & is "dirtier" which required more frequent fuel filter changes. 

Renewable diesel differs from biodiesel, however, in how it’s processed. Renewable diesel is processed similar to the way petroleum diesel is produced, which makes it chemically the same as petroleum diesel. That means a few things:

1. Because it’s hydrogenated, renewable diesel doesn’t contain ­oxygen, and therefore users will not encounter the challenges biodiesel presents relating to freezing temperature and storage.
   
2. Thanks to hydrogenation, renewable diesel also burns cleaner than biodiesel.
   
3. Because it has the same chemical structure as petroleum diesel, renewable diesel can be used in engines that are designed to run on conventional diesel fuel — with no blending required.
   

a bunch of you guys have big rigs like motorhomes & toters & I was wondering if you are using B20 or renewable diesel & if you have noticed anything?

a bunch of you guys like @L.R.S. do a bunch of towing with "normal trucks" & Ive wondered if you guys have noticed anything? 

thanks

Bob

 

[Dune-Track-N]

 

[Dune-Track-N]

In my old pickup 06 Dodge, I really liked to run B20. Got better MPG and was typically cheaper then #2 diesel.

Never got a chance to run the R stuff.

 

[EastMT]

 Less BTU’s does equal less MPG. I don’t know how b20 compares to #1 BTU wise but I drop from 20mpg to about 16mpg running #1 in the winter.

 

[L.R.S.]

I've run diesel #2, B20, R99 and even Jet A (air plane fuel) in the mid 2000's. I've never checked mileage to compare which is best. We are on the road so much it's hard to find the same fuel consistently to do an actual comparison. I use the Gas Buddy app to find diesel and see if it's cheaper a block or two away. The app doesn't break the diesel down to different types, just says Diesel. The local 76 Station has R99 and I fueled up yesterday for $5.79/gal. The Shell station near us has diesel #2 for $5.89/gal. 

My 2014 Duramax hit a bump on the road and all the smog stuff 'fell' off about a year ago. Towing a jet boat at 75mph from LA to Needles I got 13.5mpg. Towing nothing from Needles to LA I got 17.5mpg. I was hoping for more being fully deleted and a $1200 tune that claimed to get 20mpg Need to find a better tuner.

Our 2021 Duramax is bone stock except for the 60 gallon Titan fuel tank. My son times his fuel ups so he's close to empty when he's in AZ or NV. About $1-$1.25 a gallon less than CA. He thinks he's getting 20mpg because of the trucks factory mileage calculator. Told him to hand calculate but these kids believe in their technology. 

 

[Orange_R]

yes, B20 SUCKS... I lose 1-2mpg in my 05 every time I fill up with that crap and at $6+ per gallon, that's just SHITTTTY

 

[zilla68]

I've run diesel #2, B20, R99 and even Jet A (air plane fuel) in the mid 2000's. I've never checked mileage to compare which is best. We are on the road so much it's hard to find the same fuel consistently to do an actual comparison. I use the Gas Buddy app to find diesel and see if it's cheaper a block or two away. The app doesn't break the diesel down to different types, just says Diesel. The local 76 Station has R99 and I fueled up yesterday for $5.79/gal. The Shell station near us has diesel #2 for $5.89/gal. 

My 2014 Duramax hit a bump on the road and all the smog stuff 'fell' off about a year ago. Towing a jet boat at 75mph from LA to Needles I got 13.5mpg. Towing nothing from Needles to LA I got 17.5mpg. I was hoping for more being fully deleted and a $1200 tune that claimed to get 20mpg Need to find a better tuner.

Our 2021 Duramax is bone stock except for the 60 gallon Titan fuel tank. My son times his fuel ups so he's close to empty when he's in AZ or NV. About $1-$1.25 a gallon less than CA. He thinks he's getting 20mpg because of the trucks factory mileage calculator. Told him to hand calculate but these kids believe in their technology. 

with all the fuel you burn do you use any apps like upside, to get a savings? 

 

[Orange_R]

I've run diesel #2, B20, R99 and even Jet A (air plane fuel) in the mid 2000's. I've never checked mileage to compare which is best. We are on the road so much it's hard to find the same fuel consistently to do an actual comparison. I use the Gas Buddy app to find diesel and see if it's cheaper a block or two away. The app doesn't break the diesel down to different types, just says Diesel. The local 76 Station has R99 and I fueled up yesterday for $5.79/gal. The Shell station near us has diesel #2 for $5.89/gal. 

My 2014 Duramax hit a bump on the road and all the smog stuff 'fell' off about a year ago. Towing a jet boat at 75mph from LA to Needles I got 13.5mpg. Towing nothing from Needles to LA I got 17.5mpg. I was hoping for more being fully deleted and a $1200 tune that claimed to get 20mpg Need to find a better tuner.

Our 2021 Duramax is bone stock except for the 60 gallon Titan fuel tank. My son times his fuel ups so he's close to empty when he's in AZ or NV. About $1-$1.25 a gallon less than CA. He thinks he's getting 20mpg because of the trucks factory mileage calculator. Told him to hand calculate but these kids believe in their technology. 

those automated calculators like to be generous for sure... I never had one that was even close :lol:  

 

[L.R.S.]

with all the fuel you burn do you use any apps like upside, to get a savings? 

Just the Gas Buddy app. It usually shows current pricing and links to Google Maps so I can check distance. But if it's only a few cents up to $.30 I don't bother going out of my way. My truck holds 36 gal so generally fill up 25- 30 gals. Saving $.30/gal is $9, not worth my time driving very far. I kinda set the bar at $.50/gal if it's a little out of the way. 

Yucaipa, CA is a weird town. See fuel for $1/gal less then most cities nearby so I try to fuel up there if I'm passing through. If I can save $20-$30 per tank in my truck it's basically free lunch. I spend $5k-$6k per month on fuel in the off season and $6k-$7k Oct to Feb. 

My son has to be more careful because he's in the dually and almost always towing a 24' flatbed, 20' enclosed or a client's stacker. I'd rather have him focused on safe driving than saving a few dollars on fuel. 

 

[L.R.S.]

those automated calculators like to be generous for sure... I never had one that was even close :lol:  

My 06 LLY Duramax was pretty good if I didn't reset it for a few thousand miles. Went a month hand calculating and got 15.5mpg mostly highway, not towing, but truck had 37s. DIC display showed the same. Don't have one in my 2014 WT Silverado. Definitely don't trust the one in our 2021 Silverado. 

 

[zilla68]

Just the Gas Buddy app. It usually shows current pricing and links to Google Maps so I can check distance. But if it's only a few cents up to $.30 I don't bother going out of my way. My truck holds 36 gal so generally fill up 25- 30 gals. Saving $.30/gal is $9, not worth my time driving very far. I kinda set the bar at $.50/gal if it's a little out of the way. 

Yucaipa, CA is a weird town. See fuel for $1/gal less then most cities nearby so I try to fuel up there if I'm passing through. If I can save $20-$30 per tank in my truck it's basically free lunch. I spend $5k-$6k per month on fuel in the off season and $6k-$7k Oct to Feb. 

My son has to be more careful because he's in the dually and almost always towing a 24' flatbed, 20' enclosed or a client's stacker. I'd rather have him focused on safe driving than saving a few dollars on fuel. 

upside is an app that pays you to fill at certain stations, if your looking for fuel, you just bring up the app, click the gas tab and it shows you if anyone in the area is offering a discount. either scan the receipt or it tracks it thru the stations T logs and puts money in your acct. I've made about 50.00 in 6 months and I don't fuel but once a week, unless traveling. might check it out.

 

[Shiggins37]

I’ve used the R99 quite a bit in my 2019 F250. I read up on it before I started using it. Didn’t see any change in mpg but did notice less frequent regens on the freeway. It burns cleaner and is better than #2 and will not decrease fuel filter change intervals. Most arco’s in my area carry r99 only . And with it being renewable it’s a wonder why these idiot law makers don’t insist on developing more diesel powered small vehicles like Europe. All the batteries in these EV’s I’m sure were mined safely, ethically, and without slave labor and are great for the environment when they expire. What do I know…. I’m just a stupid ultra MAGA anyways that loves my country, stands for the anthem, supports good old fashioned hard work, and am doing my best to not raise liberals!

 

[dwight walker]

As a guy that burns 100s of gallons a week and have done it since before bio/blend came out… yes bio does not have the BTUs of regular diesel and therefore can result in a drop in power and mileage. However, just like running high octane fuel in your car and you just drive it normally, keeping your foot out of it, the high octane isn’t needed and you probably much of a difference. 
Bio being dirty… bio is a great solvent and will clean you fuel system completely. This will cause you to clog fuel filters but that will only last as long as it take to clean your system. 
Water… the corn will attract moisture, much like it does in your car or lawnmower, but in my situation, my fuel filters have a water separator in them and are changed every 10-15000 miles. Not been an issue for me.

 

[Grease Monkey]

As a guy that burns 100s of gallons a week and have done it since before bio/blend came out… yes bio does not have the BTUs of regular diesel and therefore can result in a drop in power and mileage. However, just like running high octane fuel in your car and you just drive it normally, keeping your foot out of it, the high octane isn’t needed and you probably much of a difference. 
Bio being dirty… bio is a great solvent and will clean you fuel system completely. This will cause you to clog fuel filters but that will only last as long as it take to clean your system. 
Water… the corn will attract moisture, much like it does in your car or lawnmower, but in my situation, my fuel filters have a water separator in them and are changed every 10-15000 miles. Not been an issue for me.

:dw:

 

[THD]

I read that B20 also adds lubricity to the fuel which is good for fuel system components.

Also, this was posted a while back by LOTD's and I was already using the service. I sold my PS in 2020 and haven't used it since, but I used it on every trip I took, most of which were 1k to 2k+ miles roundtrip and would save .40 cents to over a buck a gallon back then. It's for truck stops only which was fine for me since I was towing a 42' TH and it was easier to get in and out. The app was great for planning the next stop for fuel and list the current price with the discount IIRC.  Worked well for me. https://myopenroads.com/

 

[Bansh88]

I'm new to diesel with my 2022 Duramax.   We always fill up in Ramona.  No issues getting #2.

I've only filled up with B20 2 times, coming back from Glamis as all of Westmorland seems to be that.  No issues BUT that first time, we had the "exhaust cleaning" message come up the next day after that first fillup.

 

[Bobalos]

I guess a number of the shell stations have the R99, so I gave it a shot today.  I don't use the truck much anymore, so it might take a bit for me to get through a tank.  

How do you like the price/gallon??? 

 

[BENCH]

I prefer the app Gas Guru.  It is easier to search surrounding areas.  I search out #2 stations and stay away from R99 & B20.  No particular reason.

 

[Bobalos]

During the summer when I knew I was not going to use the truck much I would put some fuel stabilizer in it.  is the B20 or R99 any more suseptible to water condensation or something growing in it?  I remember from when I was a kid, folks worrying about stuff growing in diesel, more the folks with diesel boats....