Chicago 2009 TDI Owners: Non-Biodiesel Support Group

eshawger

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 31, 2013
Location
Rolling Meadows, IL
TDI
2013 Passat TDI SEL Premium
Just search on IL biodiesel tax incentive. You'll see at this time it only requires B11 to avoid the tax. My source is Ernie's diesel delivery man who told me what he delivers locally. Label 6 to 20 was set up to avoid changing labels as they increased. My other source is my secondary station owner. Phillips 66 in Volo. Owner and I had a long talk about the bio levels and why they chose to be D2 and advertise it.
I work at Baxter in Round Lake and Deerfield near both Philips 66 and Ernie's. That's great I've learned about other convenient D2 stations thanks to your help! The TDIClub forums have been super.
 
Joined
Jul 21, 2011
Location
Northwestern Chicago Burbs
TDI
2011 Black Golf TDI 4-door DSG 127,000 miles
Volo 66 my fav. Always send my wife's gasser that way too as 66 is always competing with Thorton's to the North and BP to the south. Been using 66 D2 in Volo since I got my Golf, no hiccups yet...fingers crossed.
 

eshawger

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 31, 2013
Location
Rolling Meadows, IL
TDI
2013 Passat TDI SEL Premium
Volo 66 my fav. Always send my wife's gasser that way too as 66 is always competing with Thorton's to the North and BP to the south. Been using 66 D2 in Volo since I got my Golf, no hiccups yet...fingers crossed.
Thanks. Great to have a convenient reliable D2 alternative on my way to/from work.
 

gary2smart

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 30, 2013
Location
Illinois
TDI
2013 TDI Jetta
D2 Northern IL Lake county

For the first time I checked out the Marathon station on the corner of Route 59 and Grass Lake Road in Antioch this morning. They have diesel without bio and actually have a big sticker on the pump that says "No Bio Diesel". This station is very close to me so it looks like I have a new place to safely fill up.
Shell USA sent me this PDF link http://s03.static-shell.com/content/dam/shell/static/usa/downloads/fuels/biodiesel-brochure.pdf
They only blend up to B5 so that's safe to use, confirmed by calling all the Shell
Stations in my area near Round lake and Waukegan.
Thanks for this post now you added to my list;

Murphy- Fountain Square Waukegan - D2
Earnies- Lincolnshire-D2
Marathon- Antioch- D2
Phillips 66- Volo -D2

I live in Lake Villa and work in Northbrook so hope this helps. Loving my TDI Jetta 2013, called VW and they gave me the same argument of checking my oil regularly if Bio is used. Will only use minimally in an emergency.
 
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gary2smart

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 30, 2013
Location
Illinois
TDI
2013 TDI Jetta
Do you like their fuel? I work down the street and only drove thru once when I went to Sweet Tomato. I think I saw they advertise using Power Service as their additive.
Not yet I live closer to Volo's Phillips 66 plus I just took a liking to my conversations with the elderly attendant their, He knows diesel. Oh, Shell
called me back Yesterday and said that their stations only sold B5 not a percent higher in Illinois.
 

TDiSkater

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2011
Location
Northern Suburbs Chicago
TDI
2011 JSW DSG Salsa Red
Not yet I live closer to Volo's Phillips 66 plus I just took a liking to my conversations with the elderly attendant their, He knows diesel. Oh, Shell
called me back Yesterday and said that their stations only sold B5 not a percent higher in Illinois.
Agree, they pride themselves on their fuel quality - I miss filling at Volo. I haven't been able to take my long weekend rides since last fall (that's when I'd pass Volo 66). I'm not sure about that call you received from Shell. I spoke to one of their delivery drivers one day while fueling at Ernie's Shell in Vernon Hills - he told me that he delivers B11 Diesel to all the other Shell's in the area and really was impressed by the D2 quality (I assume that meant both non-bio and the additive package) that Ernie's ordered on a regular basis.
 
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gary2smart

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 30, 2013
Location
Illinois
TDI
2013 TDI Jetta
Agree, they pride themselves on their fuel quality - I miss filling at Volo. I haven't been able to take my long weekend rides since last fall (that's when I'd pass Volo 66). I'm not sure about that call you received from Shell. I spoke to one of their delivery drivers one day while fueling at Ernie's Shell in Vernon Hills - he told me that he delivers B11 Diesel to all the other Shell's in the area and really was impressed by the D2 quality (I assume that meant both non-bio and the additive package) that Ernie's ordered on a regular basis.
That's why I will try to stick with D2 and pay the higher cost per gallon and use a lubricity additive, currently using PS but from my reading it seems I can buy a gallon of bio and then fill with D2 to take care of the lubrication issue with the injector valves. Ernie really rapes us with the price Volo 66 is always cheaper.
 

TDiSkater

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2011
Location
Northern Suburbs Chicago
TDI
2011 JSW DSG Salsa Red
Yes Ernie's is higher, but Volo is 15 miles one way further. I burn .7 gallon to get there and home vs Ernie's. I use to take a joy ride out that way, but my work hours changed.
 

gary2smart

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 30, 2013
Location
Illinois
TDI
2013 TDI Jetta
Yes Ernie's is higher, but Volo is 15 miles one way further. I burn .7 gallon to get there and home vs Ernie's. I use to take a joy ride out that way, but my work hours changed.
I found a Marathon at Grasslake Rd. and RT 59 that also sells 100% Petro. My lawn service Guy told me and the pump has a plainly marked sticker. :)
Driving to save a few pennies is really a great observation I told my wife that a few days ago.
 

gary2smart

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 30, 2013
Location
Illinois
TDI
2013 TDI Jetta
Shell USA sent me this PDF link http://s03.static-shell.com/content/dam/shell/static/usa/downloads/fuels/biodiesel-brochure.pdf
They only blend up to B5 so that's safe to use, confirmed by calling all the Shell
Stations in my area near Round lake and Waukegan.
Thanks for this post now you added to my list;

Murphy- Fountain Square Waukegan - D2
Earnies- Lincolnshire-D2
Marathon- Antioch- D2
Phillips 66- Volo -D2
Shell Stations - B5 VW safe

I live in Lake Villa and work in Northbrook so hope this helps. Loving my TDI Jetta 2013, called VW and they gave me the same argument of checking my oil regularly if Bio is used. Will only use minimally in an emergency.
I have been to at least Ten shell stations so far all except Earnie's are all bio above D2 so don't use unaware.
 

TDiSkater

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2011
Location
Northern Suburbs Chicago
TDI
2011 JSW DSG Salsa Red
The only challenge I have with the Shell statement that they are B5 is they don't qualify for the tax incentive. From what I can see the Shell stations are priced at or near B11 competitors (other than Ernie's). Seems weird to me, but glad to have more options.
 

Feilo

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Location
N Lake Co, IL
TDI
2012 Golf Silver DSG
Shell USA sent me this PDF link http://s03.static-shell.com/content/dam/shell/static/usa/downloads/fuels/biodiesel-brochure.pdf
They only blend up to B5 so that's safe to use, confirmed by calling all the Shell
Stations in my area near Round lake and Waukegan.
Thanks for this post now you added to my list;

Murphy- Fountain Square Waukegan - D2
Earnies- Lincolnshire-D2
Marathon- Antioch- D2
Phillips 66- Volo -D2

I live in Lake Villa and work in Northbrook so hope this helps. Loving my TDI Jetta 2013, called VW and they gave me the same argument of checking my oil regularly if Bio is used. Will only use minimally in an emergency.
I live real close to the Fountain Square Murphy and fuel up there once in a while when I cant get to Meijer's. They have the blue bioblend sticker on their pumps last time I was there a few weeks back - when did they switch to D2?
 

PassatSE4me

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2013
Location
NW Indiana
TDI
2013 Passat SE 6MT
1. Speedway
2. 718 Joliet St. (Rte 30/Lincoln Hwy & Calumet Ave.), Dyer, Indiana
3. Diesel #2
4. Verified by the manager on duty and the attendant, though the pumps aren't marked as such. No bio stickers present on the pumps.

I will add more locations as I find them.
 

pitviper33

Active member
Joined
Mar 13, 2013
Location
Chicagoland
TDI
GSW
Finding more good pumps is great. But I think just about every pump in the great state of Indiana is good fuel. Only Illinois has chosen to incentivize the sale of lower quality fuel. You should continue to be diligent everywhere you fill up, but only in IL should it be a huge challenge to find D2.
 

PassatSE4me

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2013
Location
NW Indiana
TDI
2013 Passat SE 6MT
Finding more good pumps is great. But I think just about every pump in the great state of Indiana is good fuel. Only Illinois has chosen to incentivize the sale of lower quality fuel. You should continue to be diligent everywhere you fill up, but only in IL should it be a huge challenge to find D2.
You'd be surprised. There are plenty of stations around here that have bio. B11 is what they have at the nearest BP and then you have the stickers stating "contains from 5% to 20% biodiesel" at several others.

I wish it was a guarantee of good D2 around here but it's not. Diligence is still required.
 

pitviper33

Active member
Joined
Mar 13, 2013
Location
Chicagoland
TDI
GSW
You'd be surprised. There are plenty of stations around here that have bio. B11 is what they have at the nearest BP and then you have the stickers stating "contains from 5% to 20% biodiesel" at several others.

I wish it was a guarantee of good D2 around here but it's not. Diligence is still required.
Sorry to hear that. Thanks for letting us know! As a native Hoosier, I wanted to think that we were better than that.
 

trainslug82

Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2013
Location
Algonquin, Il
TDI
2013 Jetta
Diesl,
good point.
I've confirmed the Rolling Meadows Marathon definitely has the good stuff. They let me look at their delivery receipt. No biodiesel and their pumps are labeled correctly.
As broke as the country is, the EPA should start fining dealers for non-compliance with proper labeling laws. I've read it can be $32,500 per day per violation.
Might make a dent in our debt, and help balance the out of control budget...
(Unless something has changed since this past spring when you posted this), I buzzed into the Marathon in rolling Meadows last night for a peek and a fuel up. Much to my surprise, the only sticker I found was the ULSD sticker. And when I walked in to ask her about supplier stats, the attendant referred me to the manager who is only there during the morning. Can anyone confirm this who has filled there recently or do they have a sticker hidden out of sight?
 

eshawger

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 31, 2013
Location
Rolling Meadows, IL
TDI
2013 Passat TDI SEL Premium
Forget Marathon

(Unless something has changed since this past spring when you posted this), I buzzed into the Marathon in rolling Meadows last night for a peek and a fuel up. Much to my surprise, the only sticker I found was the ULSD sticker. And when I walked in to ask her about supplier stats, the attendant referred me to the manager who is only there during the morning. Can anyone confirm this who has filled there recently or do they have a sticker hidden out of sight?

The Meijer on Golf just a mile east of this Marathon has been very consistent with great D2, and lately has had the lowest prices in the area as well.

I don't believe the Marathon pump was labeled any differently earlier this year, but per the guidelines they still are accurate, unless they've switched to biodiesel. The problem with labeling it is extremely inconsistent. The Mobil in Schaumburg a mile west on Algonquin typically has the highest prices, and the worst labeling. The pumps have indicated straight D2 diesel, but they sell B11 biodiesel. The clerks only report it's less than 20%.
 
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Thunderstruck

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2004
Location
Chicago
TDI
2015 GTI SE 6M
I normally fill up at Meijers, although it's the one in Bloomingdale. The Sam's Club in Addison is usually cheaper, but why take a chance? Sam's is also non bio, but I don't know if they shop around for the lowest price instead of the highest quality.
 

eshawger

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 31, 2013
Location
Rolling Meadows, IL
TDI
2013 Passat TDI SEL Premium
VW says Biodiesel is OK

Finding more good pumps is great. But I think just about every pump in the great state of Indiana is good fuel. Only Illinois has chosen to incentivize the sale of lower quality fuel. You should continue to be diligent everywhere you fill up, but only in IL should it be a huge challenge to find D2.
In addition to the warranty addendum we all got in the mail, my local VW dealer indicated VW corporate engineering confirmed we don't need to go out of our way to find straight D2. Until then, my service writer encouraged me to use D2 if I could. Since I have a fantastic Meijer close to home that's where I fuel up most of the time. It does seem to meet their advertised claims of better fuel economy as well. My overall MPG average has stayed above 40 and I'm hitting 50 - 65% city driving fairly consistently with each tank. (I keep track of that on Fuelly using the MFI trip computer #2 average speed reading that I reset when I fuel up.)

I've only used biodiesel a couple times out of 20 tanks so far, and I haven't had any trouble with oil levels increasing.
 

trainslug82

Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2013
Location
Algonquin, Il
TDI
2013 Jetta
The Meijer on Golf just a mile east of this Marathon has been very consistent with great D2, and lately has had the lowest prices in the area as well.

I don't believe the Marathon pump was labeled any differently earlier this year, but per the guidelines they still are accurate, unless they've switched to biodiesel. The problem with labeling it is extremely inconsistent. The Mobil in Schaumburg a mile west on Algonquin typically has the highest prices, and the worst labeling. The pumps have indicated straight D2 diesel, but they sell B11 biodiesel. The clerks only report it's less than 20%.
Thanks for the lead on that Mejer station. Theres a Mejer by my house in Algonquin, but im not sure they all use the same distributor. The Marathon you were talking about, just West of 53 is the most expensive station, PERIOD. Over this last winter, I debated on reporting them for price gouging to the department of transportation. I watch the news, crude prices, etc..... Whenever the prices drop in the area and gas stations start lowering their prices all around Chicagoland, this station remains .40, sometimes .60 cents higher than neighboring stations. They never reflect market prices and never fluctuate. Im not sure if its because the Cook County highway dept is next door and cook county buys from them regardless.... I don't know. Wouldn't buy fuel from them if they promised my car would turn into a diesel Delorian and teleport at 88mph. I commute from Alg, to Melrose park every day and I heard there's a Delta Sonic selling Citgo premium diesel, right in elmhurst on rt. 64. Gonna check that out next.
 

KonaJack

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2010
Location
Barrington, IL
TDI
2011 VW Golf
I talked to the tanker driver who was refilling the tanks at the Algonquin Meijer a couple weeks back. He confirmed it is straight D2 Diesel and is that way for all NE IL Meijers and that it is a management edict. He also said it is not the case in Michigan Meijers (some have Bio). Sounds like a marketing decision to fill a needed niche in the area. He also stated that the demand is especially strong at the Algonquin one vs closer-in suburbs because of nearby farmers and fleet owners who don't want clogged DPF's - especially in winter.
 

lbgottlieb

Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2013
Location
Vernon Hills, IL
TDI
None
Just thought I'd lend an update for some of the fuel stations near my home and office. The Marathon at Milwaukee Avenue & Half Day Road is no longer <= B5. The green ULSD sticker has been covered over with a Bio-Blend sticker reflecting 5-20 Biodiesel. Ernie's Shell and Peacock Mobil just north on Milwaukee still have fresh looking green ULSD stickers.

While still not yet a diesel driver, I'm a huge fan of what you guys are trying to do for other owners. As I'm still hoping to be an owner in the future, I'll be glad to scope out any station near my home or work for those who need some info. I live in Vernon Hills and work in Deerfield, so Vernon Hills, Buffalo Grove, Lincolnshire, Deerfield, Northbrook, and even Highland Park can all be checked if someone needs it. Take care all....
 

trainslug82

Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2013
Location
Algonquin, Il
TDI
2013 Jetta
Just thought I'd lend an update for some of the fuel stations near my home and office. The Marathon at Milwaukee Avenue & Half Day Road is no longer <= B5. The green ULSD sticker has been covered over with a Bio-Blend sticker reflecting 5-20 Biodiesel. Ernie's Shell and Peacock Mobil just north on Milwaukee still have fresh looking green ULSD stickers.

While still not yet a diesel driver, I'm a huge fan of what you guys are trying to do for other owners. As I'm still hoping to be an owner in the future, I'll be glad to scope out any station near my home or work for those who need some info. I live in Vernon Hills and work in Deerfield, so Vernon Hills, Buffalo Grove, Lincolnshire, Deerfield, Northbrook, and even Highland Park can all be checked if someone needs it. Take care all....

Thats very noble of you. I hope you can join the wonrerful world of diesel ownership some day.
 

MichaelB

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2009
Location
SE Wisconsin
TDI
2014 Passat SE DSG
I talked to the tanker driver who was refilling the tanks at the Algonquin Meijer a couple weeks back. He confirmed it is straight D2 Diesel and is that way for all NE IL Meijers and that it is a management edict. He also said it is not the case in Michigan Meijers (some have Bio). Sounds like a marketing decision to fill a needed niche in the area. He also stated that the demand is especially strong at the Algonquin one vs closer-in suburbs because of nearby farmers and fleet owners who don't want clogged DPF's - especially in winter.
Please explain why the bio would clog the DPF. This issue is and always has been oil dilution unless this is a new twist.
 

Tom in chicago

Active member
Joined
Oct 7, 2009
Location
chicago
TDI
2009 Jetta Sportwagon TDI
new station

Food 4 Less On Main Street in Evanston (just east of McCormick) is now open and selling diesel. Their diesel pumps have no stickers. As we know that may or may not mean it is not biodiesel, but I thought I'd share.
 
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