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Winter diesel fuel is a type of diesel fuel that is enhanced to prevent it from gelling in cold weather conditions. In North America, gas stations typically offer two types of diesel fuel: No. 1 and No. 2 fuel. No. 1 fuel, similar to kerosene, has a natural cold filter plugging point (CFPP) of -40 °C, while No. 2 fuel has a CFPP of -7 °C. During the winter months, gas stations in cold regions typically offer a blend of these two fuels, known as winter diesel, to prevent gelling issues. In Canada, for example, most fuel stations offer Summer diesel fuel (No. 2) from May to October and Winter diesel fuel (a blend of No. 1 and No. 2) from November to April. Retail stores and fuel additive companies like Power Service and Stanadyne also offer additives that can be purchased and added to fuel at the pump in regions where winter diesel blends are not available at gas stations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is winter diesel fuel | Diesel fuel enhanced to prevent it from gelling in cold weather conditions |
| Why is it needed | Diesel fuel is prone to waxing or gelling in cold weather; both are terms for the solidification of diesel oil into a partially crystalline state |
| How to identify | Winter diesel fuel is also known as alpine diesel or winterised diesel |
| Where to buy | Gas stations in cold regions, such as Canada, offer diesel fuel with additives at no extra cost. In the US, Love's stores from Texas to Minnesota offer winter diesel fuel. |
| Additives | Retail stores offer additives that will lower the CFPP of diesel oil. These include Stanadyne Performance Formula, which has anti-gelling properties. |
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What You'll Learn
Gas stations offering winter diesel
Winter diesel fuel is a mixture of No. 1 and No. 2 diesel that creates a 'Winter Blend' to prevent the fuel from gelling in cold weather. In North America, gas stations offer these two types of diesel fuel, with No. 1 fuel being more expensive and having a natural CFPP of -40 °C.
In Canada, most fuel stations offer 'Summer' diesel fuel (Diesel No. 2) from May to October and 'Winter' diesel fuel (Diesel No. 1) from November to April. The VanRaak group offers winter diesel with a CFPP of –20 °C from 1 November to 28 February, while the "power" group offers the same CFPP from 15 October to 15 March.
In Europe, the EN 590 standard governs the characteristics of diesel fuel in winter conditions, with similar standards in Estonia (EVS-EN 590) and France (DIN EN 590). In Central and Western Europe, winter diesel must meet Class F conditions from December to February and a lower class during the transitional months of October and April.
In the United States, Love's gas stations offer a Cold Weather Program that includes the use of biodiesel and an exclusive detergent formulation to optimize the cold-weather performance of their diesel fuel. They also offer Love’s Diesel Anti-Gel at their locations to provide additional protection during extreme weather.
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Additives to prevent gelling
Winter diesel fuel is a type of diesel fuel that has been enhanced with additives to prevent it from gelling in cold weather conditions. Diesel fuel typically begins to gel when temperatures drop below 10 or 15 degrees. Gelling occurs when the wax in diesel fuel crystallizes and prevents the flow of fuel to the engine, clogging fuel lines and filters. To prevent this, there are several additives that can be used:
Firstly, kerosene can be mixed with diesel fuel to lower its freezing point. However, this method has its drawbacks, including reduced fuel efficiency and mileage. Additionally, kerosene can act as a solvent, washing away the lubricating properties of the diesel fuel. Nevertheless, it is a common practice, especially in regions with extremely cold winters, such as Canada, where a winter blend of diesel and kerosene is often necessary to ensure proper fuel flow.
Another option is to use specialized additives designed to prevent gelling. These additives can lower the pour point and gel point of the diesel fuel, improving engine performance at lower temperatures. Examples of such additives include Stanadyne Performance Formula, which helps restore lost power and has anti-gelling properties, and Hot Shot's Secret Diesel Winter Anti-Gel, which is specifically formulated to reduce the CFPP (Cold Filter Plugging Point) of the fuel and prevent fuel filters and lines from clogging.
It is important to note that the amount of anti-gelling additive required may vary depending on the temperature. Generally, the lower the temperature, the more additive should be used. Additionally, it is recommended to follow the directions provided with the additive product. In some cases, gas stations in cold regions may offer diesel fuel with additives already included at no extra cost. However, it is important to check if winterized diesel is being offered before adding additional additives, as incompatible additives may lead to issues.
Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that some other methods can help prevent gelling. For example, maintaining a full fuel tank can reduce condensation and water buildup, which can promote microbial growth and clog fuel filters. Additionally, ensuring that your vehicle's fuel tank and system are well-maintained and monitored can help prevent fuel tank and system problems during the winter.
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Winter diesel in Canada
Canada is classified as an ''arctic climate' in the diesel fuel injection world. During the winter, temperatures routinely drop to minus 30 or minus 40 degrees Celsius, which can create starting problems if your diesel engine isn't properly prepared.
Most Canadian fuel stations will have diesel fuel that is available at the pumps as 'Summer' diesel fuel (called Diesel No.2) that is usually used from May to October, and then a 'Winter' diesel fuel (called Diesel No.1) that is used from November to April. Summer diesel fuel has a CFPP of –7 °C and can be operated safely in –20 °C weather conditions. Winter diesel fuel has a CFPP of –15 °C and can be operated safely in –24 °C weather conditions.
Winter diesel fuel is a mix of grade No.1 and grade No.2 fuel. The main component of grade no.1 diesel is kerosene, which helps lower the cloud and pour points of the mix, thus preventing gelling in cold temperatures. Depending on the area you live in, the ratio of no.1 to no.2 diesel fuels in the winter blend can vary. Generally, it's about 80% no.2 diesel and 20% no.1 diesel. In colder regions, such as Prince George, the blend may be 50% no.2 diesel and 50% no.1 diesel. In the coldest regions, such as the Yukon or Nunavut, a pure grade no.1 diesel fuel may be required.
Some solutions to prevent gelling in diesel fuel include adding kerosene or fuel additives, such as Stanadyne Performance Formula, which has anti-gelling properties. Low-output electric heaters in fuel tanks and around fuel lines are another way to extend the fluid characteristics of diesel fuel. This is standard equipment in vehicles that operate in arctic weather conditions.
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Winter biodiesel
In cold weather, untreated diesel fuel is prone to "waxing" or "gelling". These terms refer to the process of diesel oil solidifying into a partially crystalline state. As the temperature drops, wax particles begin to form in the fuel, giving it a cloudy appearance. As the temperature continues to fall, the waxes solidify and thicken the oil, eventually causing the fuel to gel and turn into a gelatinous mess. This can lead to clogged fuel filters and injectors, resulting in the engine starving for fuel and eventually stopping.
To prevent these issues, winter biodiesel uses additives that alter the fuel's low-temperature characteristics. These additives lower the cold filter plugging point (CFPP) of the diesel, allowing it to flow smoothly at lower temperatures. Retail stores offer a range of additives that can be added to diesel oil to improve its performance in cold weather. However, it is important to note that these additives should only be added above the cloud point, as they need to mix well with the diesel oil. Additionally, some gas stations in cold regions offer diesel fuel with additives at no extra cost.
In North America, gas stations typically offer two types of diesel fuel: No. 1 and No. 2. No. 1 fuel, similar to kerosene, has a natural CFPP of -40 °C but is more expensive. No. 2 fuel, also known as "Summer diesel", is typically used from May to October. Winter diesel, or No. 1 fuel, is then used from November to April to prevent gelling issues. It is important to note that the blend of these fuels can vary depending on the region, with colder areas requiring a higher percentage of No. 1 fuel.
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$81.89
Winter diesel in the US
Winter diesel fuel is a mixture of No.1 and No.2 diesel that creates a winter blend that does not gel up when the temperature drops. This blend is available at gas stations across the US during the winter months.
In the US, there is no legislation on a fixed timeframe for when winter diesel must meet a specific temperature characteristic. However, the ASTM D 975 standard suggests that the cloud point be no more than 6°C higher than the 10th percentile minimum ambient temperature for the month the fuel will be used. This temperature corresponds to the minimum temperature that would be reached no more than 3 days out of 30 for the month.
Some gas stations offer winter-ready diesel for sale, with two common methods to achieve this: a winter blend or winterized diesel. A winter blend involves blending No.2 diesel with No.1 (kerosene) by a certain percentage, while winterized diesel involves treating No.2 diesel with additives. Winterized diesel is the more common option, as it is cheaper to enhance No.2 fuel with additives in cold weather.
Some companies in the US offer winter fuel programs, such as Love's Cold Weather Program (CWP), which includes the use of detergent, cold flow, deicer fuel additives, and No. 1 diesel blending. The program aims to protect fuel systems during the winter and is available at all Love's stores across the US. Another company, Cenex, offers winterized premium diesel fuel products engineered to keep operations moving during the winter months, with a blend of base #1 diesel and #2 diesel.
Retail stores also offer additives that can be purchased to lower the CFPP of diesel oil, which are most effective when added above the cloud point to ensure proper mixing. These additives can help prevent issues caused by cold weather, such as gelling and clogging of fuel filters.
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Frequently asked questions
In the US, winter diesel fuel is available at gas stations in cold regions. Love's, for example, offers a Cold Weather Program that includes winter diesel fuel and additive options.
In Canada, winter diesel fuel is typically available at most fuel stations from November to April. It is often a blend of No. 1 and No. 2 diesel, but the ratio may vary depending on the region.
In Australia, winter diesel fuel, also known as Alpine diesel, can be purchased at servos near the Alps during the winter season.
