First TDI Road Trip Planning

PacketHauler

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2013
Location
Rockledge, FL
TDI
2014 Jetta SportWagen TDI 6M, 2013 Jetta TDI DSG w/ Prem (retired)
Hey everyone,

I might have to travel for work this weekend, and I've never had either of my TDIs out of the state of MN yet. This means unknowns with bio-diesel content, etc. I plan on carrying a grey bottle of the PowerService additive since the temps will be above 30 for the whole trip. The route I'll be taking will mostly be US highway as that is the most direct route to St. Louis, MO. I should only have to fill once or twice for the whole trip.

Since I'll be using PowerService, does it really matter where I'll fill up, as long as they sell diesel and are on the main route?
 

TDI smile

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2012
Location
Edmonton, Alberta (b4 BC - LOWER MAINLAND = Chilli
TDI
2002 TDI (ALH) with 513,000 km. First Owner and very happy... No Problems, never left us stranded on the Highway. Average useage is about between under 4 ltr. and 5 ltr. Normal longdistance travel: 4.1/100
You always find a DIESEL pump. Lots of Truck Stops. You should have no problem in keeping your Tank FULL. Have a safe trip and save.
 

IndigoBlueWagon

TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
Joined
Aug 16, 2004
Location
South of Boston
TDI
'97 Passat, '99.5 Golf, '02 Jetta Wagon, '15 GSW
Only problem you might have is finding a pump with the right filler neck, if you have the fuel restrictor. Don't go to truck pumps. I've found that even on places like the Ohio Turnpike it can be difficult to find the smaller nozzles.
 

mrcowden

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 17, 2011
Location
Downers Grove, IL
TDI
2011 Golf 4D, 6MT
Hey everyone,
I might have to travel for work this weekend, and I've never had either of my TDIs out of the state of MN yet. This means unknowns with bio-diesel content, etc. I plan on carrying a grey bottle of the PowerService additive since the temps will be above 30 for the whole trip. The route I'll be taking will mostly be US highway as that is the most direct route to St. Louis, MO. I should only have to fill once or twice for the whole trip.
Since I'll be using PowerService, does it really matter where I'll fill up, as long as they sell diesel and are on the main route?
No, it won't matter where you fill up, as long as it's ULSD and a compatible nozzle. Your car doesn't need the PowerService, but if it makes you feel better, it's your money.
 

PacketHauler

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2013
Location
Rockledge, FL
TDI
2014 Jetta SportWagen TDI 6M, 2013 Jetta TDI DSG w/ Prem (retired)
No, it won't matter where you fill up, as long as it's ULSD and a compatible nozzle. Your car doesn't need the PowerService, but if it makes you feel better, it's your money.
It's more for a lubricity additive than anything. I don't use additive here in MN because of the B5 mandate.
 

IndigoBlueWagon

TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
Joined
Aug 16, 2004
Location
South of Boston
TDI
'97 Passat, '99.5 Golf, '02 Jetta Wagon, '15 GSW
Not that I've found in the US. In fact, many car pumps in Ohio/Michigan/NY/PA don't have the smaller nozzle. My usual station here in MA doesn't either.
 

PacketHauler

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2013
Location
Rockledge, FL
TDI
2014 Jetta SportWagen TDI 6M, 2013 Jetta TDI DSG w/ Prem (retired)
Not that I've found in the US. In fact, many car pumps in Ohio/Michigan/NY/PA don't have the smaller nozzle. My usual station here in MA doesn't either.
This is good stuff to figure out before the big road trip to Florida later this year.

Are there certain brand of truck stops that tend to have car pumps as well? Or is that hit or miss?
 

PacketHauler

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2013
Location
Rockledge, FL
TDI
2014 Jetta SportWagen TDI 6M, 2013 Jetta TDI DSG w/ Prem (retired)
I've fueled in IL/WI/MN/IN/MI/KY and never had an issue once with a truck nozzle. I need to get out of the Midwest.
I haven't tried to put a truck nozzle in the JSW yet. It doesn't have the mis-fuel guard installed. Just the obnoxious warning label around the filler neck in case I forget it needs diesel. :rolleyes:
 

TDiSkater

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2011
Location
Northern Suburbs Chicago
TDI
2011 JSW DSG Salsa Red
I tried once to use a high flow truck nozzle, actually twice (before the misfuel restrictor was installed). If you find one, It will make you laugh as it's big and will not fit (restrictor or not). Luckily these were dual diesel pumps, so I just picked up the other hose with the auto nozzle.
 

kjclow

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 26, 2003
Location
Charlotte, NC
TDI
2010 JSW TDI silver and black. 2017 Ram Ecodiesel dark red with brown and beige interior.
I doubt that you'll have any issues in your travels finding the right pumps. Remember that you're going across farm land where a lot of the pickups are diesel and have to be filled somewhere. If in doubt, just ask the attendant. They should know which pumps have a car nozzle.

Best route recommendation is 35 south to US20 east. Pick up I380 outside of Waterloo. It will turn into Iowa 218 south of Iowa City. Once you cross the Missouri line, it turns into US 65 and runs right into St Louis. Some where near St Louis, you'll run through oil hammers area.
 
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40X40

Experienced
Joined
Feb 12, 2006
Location
Kansas City area, MO
TDI
2013 Passat SEL Premium
If you stop at a truck stop, go to the CAR side of the truck stop. IF they have diesel on the CAR side, they should also have CAR SIZED fuel pump nozzles.

I have never had a problem finding car sized nozzles anywhere in the midwest and southwest USA. :cool:

MO,IA,KS,AR,NM,AZ,NV,OK,TX,ND,SD,WY,NE,CO,UT,IL,OH. And several other states I have surely overlooked. :D

Fill up when your car has half a tank left so that you have a 300 mile range left to 'find' the right station. ;) I am sure you will find a good reason to stop earlier, I always do... :eek:

Have a great trip, things will be fine!!

Bill
 

PacketHauler

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2013
Location
Rockledge, FL
TDI
2014 Jetta SportWagen TDI 6M, 2013 Jetta TDI DSG w/ Prem (retired)
I doubt that you'll have any issues in your travels finding the right pumps. Remember that you're going across farm land where a lot of the pickups are diesel and have to be filled somewhere. If in doubt, just ask the attendant. They should know which pumps have a car nozzle.

Best route recommendation is 35 south to US20 east. Pick up I380 outside of Waterloo. It will turn into Iowa 218 south of Iowa City. Once you cross the Missouri line, it turns into US 65 and runs right into St Louis. Some where near St Louis, you'll run through oil hammers area.
My route is almost identical to that, except I usually pick up US 18 just outside of Mason City. It's 4 lane, 65 MPH highway all the way down to Waterloo and kinda goes in a diagonal line after Charles City towards Waterloo.
 

PacketHauler

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2013
Location
Rockledge, FL
TDI
2014 Jetta SportWagen TDI 6M, 2013 Jetta TDI DSG w/ Prem (retired)
My route is almost identical to that, except I usually pick up US 18 just outside of Mason City. It's 4 lane, 65 MPH highway all the way down to Waterloo and kinda goes in a diagonal line after Charles City towards Waterloo.
I doubt that you'll have any issues in your travels finding the right pumps. Remember that you're going across farm land where a lot of the pickups are diesel and have to be filled somewhere. If in doubt, just ask the attendant. They should know which pumps have a car nozzle.

Best route recommendation is 35 south to US20 east. Pick up I380 outside of Waterloo. It will turn into Iowa 218 south of Iowa City. Once you cross the Missouri line, it turns into US 65 and runs right into St Louis. Some where near St Louis, you'll run through oil hammers area.
And now that I look at that route on Google, US 20 makes more sense, since you bypass that 30 MPH portion of Waterloo on 218 with the stop lights. :D Good call.
 

PressEnter[]

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2013
Location
Saratoga Springs, NY
TDI
2013 Jetta 6M
I tend to avoid places that look specifically like truck stops, but I haven't had any issues finding normal pumps here in NY. But I do carry an adapter just in case.
 

Bill W

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2013
Location
Augusta, GA
TDI
2001 Golf TDI, 2014 Touareg TDI
I've driven through more than half the continental US this past year and I've never had a problem finding fuel. Nearly every Flying J, Pilot, Sheetz or Loves I've stopped at had either a) diesel pumps in the car/gasoline section or b) an RV section to the truck pumps that had the smaller dispenser.

All those truck stops mentioned above all have an app you can download and use to plan your fuel stops more effectively.
 

kjclow

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 26, 2003
Location
Charlotte, NC
TDI
2010 JSW TDI silver and black. 2017 Ram Ecodiesel dark red with brown and beige interior.
My route is almost identical to that, except I usually pick up US 18 just outside of Mason City. It's 4 lane, 65 MPH highway all the way down to Waterloo and kinda goes in a diagonal line after Charles City towards Waterloo.
haven't been that way for decades (about 3!) and 18 and 218 were not a four lanes back then.
 

PacketHauler

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2013
Location
Rockledge, FL
TDI
2014 Jetta SportWagen TDI 6M, 2013 Jetta TDI DSG w/ Prem (retired)
haven't been that way for decades (about 3!) and 18 and 218 were not a four lanes back then.
I don't think it was 4 lane highway until about 10 years ago if I recall correctly. But now that you mention US20, that looks better. You bypass Waterloo entirely. and get right over to 380. :)
 

PacketHauler

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2013
Location
Rockledge, FL
TDI
2014 Jetta SportWagen TDI 6M, 2013 Jetta TDI DSG w/ Prem (retired)
Sad news everyone, my road trip won't be happening: The business wanted to wait until next week to have me move the equipment, and I'm unavailable for it. Until next time...

Thank you all for your help as always. :)
 

romad

Top Post Dawg
Joined
May 27, 2011
Location
Prescott, AZ
TDI
2005 Jetta GLS Wagon "Cranberry"
Not that I've found in the US. In fact, many car pumps in Ohio/Michigan/NY/PA don't have the smaller nozzle. My usual station here in MA doesn't either.
On the other hand, I've never run into a pump that DIDN'T have a car nozzle near the major highways. I've driven from west coast to east coast and back.
 

where2

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 29, 1999
Location
North Palm Beach, FL, USA
TDI
One '13 JSW_TDI & One '04 Variant_TDI
Fill up when your car has half a tank left so that you have a 300 mile range left to 'find' the right station. ;) I am sure you will find a good reason to stop earlier, I always do... :eek:
You mean as opposed to that first road trip from Florida to Maine my wife and I did back in August of 2006 in her new TDI?? Going North on I-75 in the heart of Georgia, the fuel light finally came on. No problem, I've got 40 miles to find some diesel. I skip the first exit, take the second exit, find only one station with diesel and it's an old mechanical readout pump designed for refueling a saddle tank on a freightliner! After a dozen or two clicks of the pump handle, I get ~1.5 gallons trickled into the tank, and I head up the highway to find a station with a small nozzle! :D My wife and I still laugh about that fill-up, because while I was spending 10 minutes clicking 1.5 gallons into the tank, a guy pulled up with a van on the other side of the pumps and was filling a collection of bleach bottles with gasoline. I'm almost certain the van's fuel tank had rusted out and this was his engineering "solution" to the rusted out tank. :eek:

On our summer road trips from FL to Maine, we typically encounter one oversize filler nozzle somewhere along the way. I really should just buy a nozzle adapter from the BMW dealer or ECS...
 

Rico567

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jun 13, 2003
Location
Central IL
TDI
2013 Passat TDI SEL Premium (Turned in 7/7/18)
We went to FL in January, fueled at all kinds of stations. I normally put in Opti-Lube when I fuel, but coming back North from FL, I used PS white, not because of the fuel, but because I might end up with un-winterized fuel back here in IL and gel up. We really like our Passat TDI, but if I were worried about biodiesel or etc. every time I fueled up, I'd trade back to a gasser. Drive more, worry less.
 

scooperhsd

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 19, 2003
Location
Kansas City KS
TDI
NB, 2000, RED(5 Speed conversion) 2015 Golf SE
I like my 2000 NB with the "Porn Star" fuel fill :) Truck pumps are no problem (as long as you're careful) .
 

PacketHauler

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2013
Location
Rockledge, FL
TDI
2014 Jetta SportWagen TDI 6M, 2013 Jetta TDI DSG w/ Prem (retired)

Wolf359

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 4, 2014
Location
Boston
TDI
2011 Golf TDI
Since OP's road trip isn't happening, I'll hijack the thread:

I'm going to my first road trip in my TDI. Boston, MA->Morgantown, WV->Niagara Falls, ON->Montreal, QB->Boston, MA

About 1700 miles in total. I am hoping for no more than 4 fill-ups during the trip.

Here's what I am bringing:
-Quart of oil (Penzoil 507.00 spec)
-fueling adapter (mentioned earlier in this thread)
-Diesel Kleen Power Service/Cetane Boost (I'll bring enough for 6 tanks' worth)

What else should I consider bringing along with me? It will also be my first time driving in Canada. Anything I should know about refueling there?

thanks!
 

GTSLOW

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2010
Location
Fort Knox, Kentucky
TDI
15 GSW & 04 Golf
Not that I've found in the US. In fact, many car pumps in Ohio/Michigan/NY/PA don't have the smaller nozzle. My usual station here in MA doesn't either.
Suppose I'm lucky then. Being in the military I've driven from NC to WI probably 3-4 times now. I've never had an issue filling up.
 

Bill W

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2013
Location
Augusta, GA
TDI
2001 Golf TDI, 2014 Touareg TDI
Since OP's road trip isn't happening, I'll hijack the thread:

I'm going to my first road trip in my TDI. Boston, MA->Morgantown, WV->Niagara Falls, ON->Montreal, QB->Boston, MA

About 1700 miles in total. I am hoping for no more than 4 fill-ups during the trip.

Here's what I am bringing:
-Quart of oil (Penzoil 507.00 spec)
-fueling adapter (mentioned earlier in this thread)
-Diesel Kleen Power Service/Cetane Boost (I'll bring enough for 6 tanks' worth)

What else should I consider bringing along with me? It will also be my first time driving in Canada. Anything I should know about refueling there?

thanks!
Contact your insurance company and get a Canadian NON-RESIDENT Inter-Province Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card.
 
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