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Old 04-17-2012, 02:44 PM   #1
Mrs. CountryGuy
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Learning curve surprise

Yes, we finally have a diesel truck. And, we are still in the learning curve, new experiences, exciting stuff.

One of our experiences was a wake up call. You probably all know this, but, DUHHH, we did not.

Of course, I did a blog post on what we learned, or think we learned. LOL

Here really 20?

Edited for correct ULR, SORRY folks! Should know better, first check the links, DUHHH and second, maybe get some sleep first???

Again, sorry, I think I got it now! SIGHING
 
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Old 04-17-2012, 04:56 PM   #2
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I do know that I didn't read the pump at a Meijer fuel station, (local big box retailer in Michigan and other great lakes states) I put 5% bio-diesel in our 08 Ford and it made a big, no make that a huge difference in performance. So I always read the pump first.
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Old 04-18-2012, 12:47 AM   #3
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Our Ford manual actually says you can use B20. I am going to try to avoid it though, because there are all kinds of warnings about degredation, ruining seals, etc.
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Old 04-18-2012, 12:51 AM   #4
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Just a reminder too, but we often are in Oregon which does not allow customers to fuel their vehicles. My wife's coworker's son stopped to get fuel with a relatively new truck. The employee put gas in instead of diesel. He left not knowing at the time. Very expensive repair bill followed as you can imagine...

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Old 04-18-2012, 02:47 AM   #5
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Do NOT go by the color of the pump handle! The stations around us use green pump handles for diesel, but we've seen more places using green for ethanol and yellow for diesel. Always read the pump! Lesson #2, buy a locking cap to replace the fuel cap. This extra step can help prevent the situation seahunter spoke of. Since you have to unlock the cap, you can see what the attendant is going to pump in. Lesson #3, carry an extra fuel filter with you at all times. One tank of bad fuel can leave you stranded with a plugged filter. If the filter requires a special wrench or tools to change, carry those too. Lesson #4, be wary of fuel additives. Some contain chemicals that can cause long term damage to seals in the fuel system. Read your owner's manual for any recommendations, and don't be surprised if the recommend not using any. Lesson #5, winter fuel in northern stated contains an anti gelling additive that will reduce fuel mileage. So don't worry about it if your mileage drops a bit during the cold months. Lesson #6, not all diesel fuel pumps are created equal. Truck stops a few smaller gas stations have the larger nozzle used to deliver fuel at a much higher rate. I love the speed of these things, but watching the dollars add up so quickly can be depressing.

This seems like a lot of stuff, but the benefits of diesel for pulling power far outweighs learning these simple things! Good luck!
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Old 04-18-2012, 02:54 AM   #6
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BTW: I forgot to mention, bio diesel fuel is not to be feared, either straight or as a mixture with diesel. Bio fuel is much cleaner than diesel, so much so, that people who first try it in older vehicles that have been run on diesel for years, will have to change their fuel filters often at first due the crud clean up bio diesel will produce. Mileage however is slightly lower with Bio over straight diesel. I wish I could get a 10 or 20% mix around us!
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Old 04-18-2012, 03:36 AM   #7
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I think all of us who run diesels, have had close calls, and have learned to double check before we pump.
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Old 04-18-2012, 04:47 AM   #8
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another thing Carol to watch out for is Mobil Stations have a Green colored nozel that is not Diesel its GAS, they are the only station I know of that is "Jonny out of step" with other stations that have used green as the standard color for diesel nozel and even there signs on the hiways use green advertisement letters.
Have fun with your beautiful new truck.
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Old 04-18-2012, 07:30 AM   #9
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Just got diesel yesterday and last night the check engine light came on. I imagine I need to change the filter and that was at the most popular station in town.
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Old 04-18-2012, 04:42 PM   #10
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Good info! Normally, I just check to see that it says Ultra low sulfur and says diesel. I'm checking my manual now for biodiesel fuel requirements.
>>>>> Edit: Just checked and owners manual says MAX is 5%
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Old 04-18-2012, 06:27 PM   #11
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by seahunter

Just a reminder too, but we often are in Oregon which does not allow customers to fuel their vehicles. My wife's coworker's son stopped to get fuel with a relatively new truck. The employee put gas in instead of diesel. He left not knowing at the time. Very expensive repair bill followed as you can imagine...
Oregon does not permit you to pump gasoline but you are permitted to pump diesel. Dennis
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Old 04-19-2012, 12:53 AM   #12
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The BP gas stations are also using green handles for all there pumps. Have an eye there also!!

Dave
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Old 04-19-2012, 03:07 AM   #13
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I second the locking cap. Just last week I told the attendant to fill my truck, when I got out to remove the cap he had the gas nozzle ready to go.
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Old 04-19-2012, 06:36 AM   #14
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Even when you do everything right.

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Old 04-19-2012, 08:17 AM   #15
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Am I missing something here? Oregon does not allow one to pump their own fuel? If so could someone share the rational?
Mike
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Old 04-19-2012, 08:49 AM   #16
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You might laugh, but I don't care what the pump says or what color it is, I always smell the nozzle before pumping. You never know if the tanker truck driver delivering the fuel to the station had a bad day. Also, from my diesel marine days, I've learned to identify potentially bad diesel, meaning algae in the fuel, by the slightly putrid smell that overpowers the diesel aroma. I'm sure others waiting in line at the station wonder what the ritual is all about.
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Old 04-19-2012, 10:06 AM   #17
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by pineranch

Am I missing something here? Oregon does not allow one to pump their own fuel? If so could someone share the rational?
Mike
Nope, Oregonians are not trusted to pump their own gas - There is a law against it in the Oregon Revised Statutes. Same with New Jersey. As mentioned above, some will let you pump your own diesel, but not all stations will let you.

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Old 04-19-2012, 10:32 AM   #18
Bill-N-Donna
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Mrs. CountryGuy

Yes, we finally have a diesel truck. And, we are still in the learning curve, new experiences, exciting stuff.

One of our experiences was a wake up call. You probably all know this, but, DUHHH, we did not.

Of course, I did a blog post on what we learned, or think we learned. LOL

Here really 20?

Edited for correct ULR, SORRY folks! Should know better, first check the links, DUHHH and second, maybe get some sleep first???

Again, sorry, I think I got it now! SIGHING

So what did you do?
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Old 04-19-2012, 12:02 PM   #19
CountryGuy
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Bill-N-Donna

We wnet to another station that did not sell bio-diesel. I knew from the owners manual that I was allowed only up to 5% bio-diesel. Why take a chance?

Al
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Old 04-19-2012, 02:59 PM   #20
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EEEeeeeeekkkkk!!
Lucky you to catch this! I have a locking cap on my filler port and it's GREEN.


Quote:
quote:Originally posted by swanny

I second the locking cap. Just last week I told the attendant to fill my truck, when I got out to remove the cap he had the gas nozzle ready to go.
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