Regan Brown
Diesel fuel has different seasonal requirements, with distinct blends for summer and winter. Winter diesel fuel is enhanced to prevent it from gelling in cold weather conditions, typically through the addition of kerosene or other additives. This is necessary because diesel fuel is prone to waxing or gelling in cold weather, which can cause it to solidify and clog fuel filters and injectors in engines. The specific blend of winter diesel fuel can vary depending on the region, with colder areas requiring a higher proportion of kerosene or other additives to prevent gelling. While winter diesel fuel can be used year-round, it is less cost-effective to do so due to its lower energy content and reduced availability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Winter diesel, alpine diesel, or winterised diesel |
| Description | Diesel fuel enhanced to prevent it from gelling in cold weather conditions |
| Mechanism | Treated with additives that change the low-temperature characteristics of the fuel |
| Additives | Kerosene, Stanadyne Performance Formula, Cetane Boost, Power Service Diesel 911, Arsenal ColdPRO |
| Cloud Point | -7°C to -40°C |
| Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) | -12°C to -27°C |
| Pour Point | 5°F to 10°F |
| Regions | Europe, North America, Canada |
| Standards | EN 590, ASTM D975, DIN 51603 |
| Grades | No. 1 and No. 2 |
| Availability | November to April |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel requirements differ between summer and winter
Summer grade diesel, on the other hand, has a higher cloud point and is optimised for summer use due to its slightly higher viscosity. It has a limited resistance to the cold and is only fit for use during the summer months. When the temperature drops, the paraffin (wax) present in the fuel can solidify, causing a blockage in the engine's fuel flow. This can lead to engine failure or stopping due to fuel starvation. Therefore, it is important to switch to winter diesel fuel when the temperature drops below -7°C.
The blending of diesel is changed during the winter months to improve the cold-weather performance of the fuel. Winter diesel fuel is usually a mixture of No.1 and No.2 diesel, with the ratio depending on the region's climate. In colder regions, the blend may contain a higher proportion of No.1 diesel, which has a lower gelling point. Retail stores also offer additives that can be added to diesel fuel to lower the cold filter plugging point (CFPP) and prevent gelling. However, these additives should only be added when the fuel is still warm and above the Cloud Point.
In summary, diesel fuel requirements differ between summer and winter due to the need to prevent gelling and wax crystal formation at low temperatures. Winter diesel fuel contains additives or blends that lower the cloud point and improve cold-weather performance, while summer diesel fuel has a higher viscosity and is optimised for warmer temperatures.
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$104.99
Additives prevent wax crystals from forming at low temperatures
Diesel fuel is prone to "waxing" in cold weather, a term for the solidification of diesel oil into a partially crystalline state. This process begins at the fuel's
To prevent this, winter diesel fuel is formulated with additives that change the low-temperature characteristics of the fuel. These additives do not prevent the formation of wax crystals, but they do hinder them from melding together into larger wax flakes. This means that winter diesel fuel can resist gelling in extremely cold temperatures.
In regions with a cold climate, the standard diesel fuel at fuel stations is required to meet certain CFPP characteristics. The CFPP (Cold Filter Plugging Point) indicates the rate at which diesel fuel will flow through a standardised filtration device when cooled under certain conditions. The EN 590 standard, for example, defines six classes from A to F for "temperate" climatic zones, and five classes from 0 to 4 for "arctic" climatic zones.
Retail stores offer a number of additives that will lower the CFPP of diesel oil, such as Power Service's Diesel Fuel Supplement +Cetane Boost. These additives are most effective when added above the Cloud Point, as the additive needs to mix well with the diesel oil.
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Kerosene blends are used to prevent diesel from solidifying
Diesel fuel is prone to solidification in cold weather, a process known as gelling or waxing. This solidification can clog fuel filters and injectors, starving the engine of fuel and causing it to stop running. Kerosene, also known as #1 diesel fuel, is often blended with regular diesel (#2 diesel fuel) to prevent gelling in winter.
Kerosene has a better cold filter plugging point (CFPP) than diesel, meaning it can pass through a filter at lower temperatures. A blend with a higher proportion of kerosene can, therefore, be used in colder conditions. For example, a 50/50 blend decreases the CFPP by 10°F. In extremely cold regions, such as Minnesota and other northern states, an 80/20 blend (80% kerosene, 20% diesel) may be used.
However, kerosene contains less energy than diesel, resulting in decreased engine power and fuel economy. It also has very little lubricity, which can cause fuel pumps to burn out. Kerosene blends are, therefore, not cost-effective and can be detrimental to engine performance. Instead, diesel fuel additives, also known as cold-flow improvers, are a more popular and economical method of preventing diesel from solidifying in winter. These additives modify the structure of waxy molecules, preventing them from joining together and clogging the fuel filter.
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Diesel engines may fail if not prepared for freezing temperatures
To prevent this, diesel fuel can be treated with additives that change its low-temperature characteristics. These additives prevent wax crystals from forming at low temperatures, which means the fuel will resist gelling. Retail stores offer a number of additives that will lower the cold filter plugging point (CFPP) of diesel oil. These additives are more effective and cost-efficient than kerosene blends, which were traditionally used to prevent diesel from solidifying.
In some regions, diesel fuel is treated at the refinery to meet the harsh winter conditions, so additional treatment is not needed. For example, in Canada, winter diesel fuel is usually a mixture of No. 1 and No. 2 diesel, with the ratio depending on the local climate. In extremely cold regions, pure grade No. 1 diesel fuel may be required to ensure that the diesel engine will start.
It is important to note that the use of additives or kerosene blends may be incompatible with some diesel engines. For example, car makers selling common rail or unit injector diesel engines prohibit the dilution of diesel fuel with kerosene as it may destroy the injection device. Therefore, it is crucial to check the manufacturer's recommendations before adding any additives or blends to diesel fuel.
Overall, to avoid diesel engine failure during freezing temperatures, it is essential to use the appropriate winter diesel fuel or add suitable additives to prevent gelling and ensure proper fuel flow.
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The winter diesel blend varies depending on the region
Diesel fuel is refined to meet the requirements of the area and period in which it will be used. Winter diesel fuel, also known as winter diesel, alpine diesel, or winterised diesel, is a type of diesel fuel that has been modified to prevent it from gelling in cold weather. Diesel fuel tends to thicken and solidify in cold weather, which can clog fuel filters and injectors in engines.
In Europe, the EN 590 standard defines the requirements for diesel fuel in "temperate" climatic zones, with six classes ranging from A to F. From the beginning of December to the end of February, Central and Western Europe must use winter diesel that meets Class F conditions. During transitional periods, such as October and April, a lower class must be met. Scandinavian countries, classified as "arctic" climatic zones, follow Class 2 conditions for their winter diesel fuel.
The use of additives is a common practice to enhance the performance of diesel fuel in cold weather. Retail stores offer various additives that can lower the CFPP of diesel oil. However, it is important to ensure compatibility with the diesel oil, and the additive should ideally be mixed when the fuel is still warm from the storage tanks. While additives can hinder the formation of larger wax flakes, they may not prevent the diesel from developing wax particles.
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Frequently asked questions
Winter diesel fuel is a blend of No.1 and No.2 diesel fuel. It is also known as winter diesel, alpine diesel, or winterised diesel. It is designed to prevent gelling in cold temperatures.
Summer diesel fuel has a higher cloud point, meaning it is not suitable for use in winter. Winter diesel fuel has a lower cloud point and contains additives to prevent wax crystals from forming at low temperatures.
Summer diesel fuel is typically used from May to October, while winter diesel fuel is used from November to April. You should switch to winter diesel fuel when the temperature drops below -7°C.
Winter diesel fuel prevents fuel gelling and keeps fuel filters from getting clogged with wax and ice. It also improves fuel performance in winter and extends the life of the fuel system.
