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Brings up an interesting topic...
Ever since buying the tractor and having the barn spray foamed, I have bought summer diesel before they switch the blend at the local station. Ive never had any winter issues with it, but usually its a) not that cold here and b) my outside tractor usage is limited in the winter anyway. Today is a notable exception given the 8+ inches of global warming outside.
Part of the reason I do this is because my tractor hates winter diesel. So Ive always made it a point to keep summer blend on hand until they switch back in the spring.
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Out of curiosity, are you referring to #1 diesel as "winter diesel" or post turnaround #2 diesel?
The worse, worse diesel I've seen tested, which is a super high cetane, 2% bio blend, has a cloud point of 5F and a CFPP (cold filter plug point) of -3F.
To translate, you'd start having issues at 5F. Your engine would shut down or not start at between -3f and 5f.
This one specific refiners fuel also doesn't accept additive well at all. It's a fantastic summer fuel because it has a high wax content. That wax increases the cetane and it's lubrication properties. Down side is you're fucked in the winter.
Best out of the refinery fuel I've seen is a cloud point of -27f. With a CFPP of -36f. With 1:1500 treat of additive, -52 cloud point, -56 cfpp. Pretty amazing. But poor cetane.
To loop this around, I ask because alot of places refer to winter diesel as #1 fuel, which is actually kerosene. Or they'll do an 80/20 mix of #2 blended with #1.
This, you'd be able to tell a big difference on. Because kerosene has a lower BTU value. 139000ish for diesel, 134000ish for kerosene. Not alot, but kerosene also burns hotter and has other detonation effects, etc. Etc.
You should be able to run winter, or summer #2 15ppm ULSD, and realistically not tell the difference at all unless you tracked your fuel economy to the second decimal point. There is a difference, but minor is the way I'd describe it.
*Unless* what they call winter fuel in that area is a #1 blend. Then yes, you'd tell a big difference.