Performance

[arrowheadracing]

Well due to winter, I always looked forward to atleast driving my trucks in the snow and fishing tailing a little here and there. They ( gas ) where always crisp and responsive in the winter. Wish I could say that for my 6.5. But after talking to a couple of powerstroke owners while filling up at the pump, they also reported very diminished mpg and performance. Which everytime I fill up I ask the guy next to me ( if hes a diesel ) how his is running. I noticed at the particular station I go to , that most of the guys say lousy. At the others I dont get as negative response. So the other day while filling up, the other guy says he has had trouble here a few times with the fuel in his tractor. Which makes me think that maybe this stations fuel is inferior to the other stations. I ll be testing another station after this tank.

Now on a cheerful note, my new 1127 cc gsxr motor is getting ready to be stuffed into its little 750 cc frame. Should be good for 44 mpg and 10.00's 130 ish 1/4 miles. Now if I could only figure out how to add a trailer hitch to it and be able to pull 10,000 lbs with it !!!!

And one last thing. I jacked up the back of the truck and finally did a axle ratio count. 4.10's. Dealer invoiced and production sheet says it has 3.73s. Guess someone wasnt paying attention when they put the axles in the truck that day.

Todd

[Tough Guy]

Try using a good fuel additive. I use Power Service (white bottle) in the winter, lubes pump and injectors and adds Cetane which will revive the "pep"....use lots and use it EVERY fill-up.

Cheers

[gmenor]

Up yonder where you live they are using winter grade fuel to help prevent gelling. I commute to Fredericksburg, VA where some stations switch to this grade. Filled up once with that fuel and it was like driving a brick (no performance and lousy mileage). I been using the Stanadyne (Red bottle) fuel additive and it really increased both mileage and some performance (dramatic increase over Power Service additive).

[arrowheadracing]

I ve learned that just recently about the fuel grade switch to winter grade. Which I just bought my truck in Oct. So I didnt have much time to see what it was like long before they switched to winter fuel. I went from 17-18 mpg to 13-14 all in a short time. I ll have to try some additives. Today its -1 outside. Yeah I love winter. Everyday I keep thinking move to Arizona.

Thanks
Todd

[mklein]

Todd, I don't know where in Michigan you are at, but in the Detroit area I have found our fuel quality to be all over the map. I have not found a fuel station that gets us consistent good quality fuel. I can, however, find quite a few who can consistently deliver poor fuel. We've had some success with additives, but still see a lot of variance between tank fulls. It makes calibration work and emissions testing a nightmare!

[arrowheadracing]

Yeah I am starting to wonder that myself. When I used to run my heavy street strip car on the street there was a station ( now closed ) that ran a good 94 octane that was good to get me to and from if I didnt hit the loud pedal. He also sold VP race fuels. He was always consitant. Now that he is gone, I have to order my fuel. Even then I think its questionable. I am just too damn picky.

Todd

BTW Located in Romeo

[patrick m.]

thats odd, i notice an improvement in power in the cold temps.

but then, they dont switch fuels here.

[diesel65]

Gmenor,
You should be using the blue bottle formula during the winter months.

Stanadyne came out with the red formula bottle for summer use when you don't need the anti-gelling and the cetane boost, it was also to help cut cost because you only need 4oz. per 30 gals vs. 8 oz. per 30 gals of the Stanadyne blue formula.

I use both for the lubricity factor.

[gmenor]

Diesel65,
I live in the Sandhills region of NC and I have not seen winterized fuel sold here but, I am not saying they don't either. But I bought a tankful of winterized fuel up in Fredericksburg, VA last year and power and mileage went down. I'll pick a bottle of the blue label and check it out. Thanks for the info

[charliepeterson]

In the winter especially I stay with the high turnover stations. I use the Stanadyne fuel additive as well.
I love the winter because the cold dry air makes lots of power in my truck. I swear I picked up an extra pound this morning climbing this bridge hill into work this morning. 2*F. today.