I'm in North Dakota and want to know the difference between using number one diesel

not even close to cold enough to run it... 1# is hard on your injectors,your mpg will drop and its more expensive but when its -25 degrees it's not fun spinning new fuel filters on....by the way i've been running the dakotas and minnesota for 30 years... I start blending it in at 10 degrees..you don't need much until -15 then I usually go for about 30% 1#....I've run as cold as -38 degrees with almost all #1. I installed Arctic Fox fuel heaters so I don't use as much as I used to. As far as additives go I really like Innospecs Winterflow It is much better for your truck than no 1# ...Powerservice would be my next choice in additives.. I've been leaning more towards additives since ULSD came along tho.. everybody has different opinions on it

 

You can install oil pan heaters 1000W and many come with core plug or oil cooler intake water heaters, I have seen fuel heaters, then you need a generator and 2 hours and you are good to go. Put the generator under the hood for added benifit.

 

Do you have a place to plug your truck in when you are home so it will start when you get back when it gets real cold? If you don't, they make small fuel powered heaters that will warm the coolant in your engine, so you don't have to worry about getting the truck running if you don't have a plug in.

If the truck doesn't get shut down overnight, I would run straight #2 in it. I run straight number 2 all winter except when I shut it down in cold weather. If they are forecasting 0*F or colder for a low, I usually like around 20-30% number 1. -20*F, I like to be closer to 50-50. Now, this is mainly so the the truck will start and stay running after being off overnight. If it stays running, run number 2.

Like the other poster said, #1 fuel is tougher on injectors and mileage. It doesn't have the lubricity or btu's that number 2 has.

You can start putting #1 in your tanks whenever you want, but it isn't really cold enough to warrant it yet, even though they have it at the pumps. The 911 it the red bottles works good for gelled filters.

You should have a couple of spare fuel filters and a wrench with you. Should make sure your air dryer has been serviced, and the system is dry, or you will have all sorts of problems.

 

most trucks are equipped with a block heater from the factory...assuming you have one it should be good for about -20...but you need keep it running until the fuel warms up, that means you need additives or #1 mixed in before you park it..make sure you run it long enough after you add it that it fully blends in and gets in the filters...colder than -20 I either leave it run (kick up idle speed to about 900 rpm) or find indoor parking...in your case parking it for a week at a time just park it with treated fuel and hope its not -35 when you want to go (lol) As for the Arctic Fox fuel heaters they are like a machined block with engine coolant piping that are installed in your tanks...engine coolant circulates thru them and warms up your fuel... so you need to get the truck running to make them work...since I get home every day and shut the truck off I make sure I have treated fuel in when I park it

 

Diesel Fuel No. 1 (Grade No. 1-D S15) contains less energy per volume (about 5% less) and increases fuel consumption when compared to Diesel Fuel No. 2 (Grade No.2-D S15). A greater volume of No. 1 diesel fuel must be injected in order to yield the same amount of power as No. 2 diesel fuel. A .5 to .7 mpg difference in fuel economy can be expected between the two grades of fuel. Diesel Fuel No. 1 is also lower in viscosity, providing less lubrication.
100% biodiesel (B100) contains approximately 9% less energy per gallon than No. 2 diesel. B100 has an energy content of around 118,200 BTU/gal verses an average of 129,500 BTU/gal for No. 2 (S15) diesel fuel.
If you are using B20, the difference in power, torque, and fuel economy should be between 1% and 2%, depending on the diesel with which you are blending. As the biodiesel blend level is lowered, any differences in energy content become diminished and blends of B5 or less do not cause noticeable differences in performance compared to diesel No. 2. Biodiesel does increase lubricity and can act as like a mild solvent in fuel systems.

 

You can also just put a little #1 in each tank 10 gal goes a long ways to helping #2 not gel also if you can pick tank your running out of you can keep straight #2 in one tank and switch to it after running awhile

 

#1 won't gell no need for it above 0 ill run number 2 up till about -20 if the truck wont be getting shut off the motor running will keep the fuel warm. if you will be turning the truck off below 0 you need some #1 in there.

block heaters will help your motor to start but do basically nothing for keeping fuel from jelling

 

if it gets cold enough #2 will gel on you driving down road