JulieMn said:
Ok, I don't have the technical background that a lot of you have. What I do know is this will be my first winter with a diesel car in Minnesota. I religously fill up at a single Holiday station that seems to sell a lot of diesel fuel (it is in an industrial area close to where I work), so far no fuel problems.
What I would like to know is, regardless of what VW is saying- should I take the chance and not add anything? I don't really like the idea of being stranded at work in January after my car has sat outside in below zero temperatures all day.
Any advice would be appreciated
JulieMn,
Don't apoligize for asking questions, this is how learning takes place. The questions that aren't asked are the ones that hurt. I am a newbie to diesel as well as I am waiting on my 2010 to get here from port. BTW, welcome to the club.
Diesel is a paraffins containing fuel. These paraffins are in the same generic family as candle wax, but are liquid at room temps. Sometimes you will hears these referred to as waxes. Once the fuel gets below the "cloud point" (30's-20's F), these paraffins start to solidify, hence the term because what was a clear liquid is now becoming cloudy with these crystals. If you can see the crystals, then so does the fuel filter and will plug up. Plus, because of this, the fuel becomes thicker and there is a measure of how thick diesel fuel can get before it will not be liquid enough to flow properly, I think that is "cold flow pour point" but I may be wrong on the exact term.
The issue here is to keep the crystals from forming and fuel from "gelling" up. Additives like Power Service "white" and Stanadyne, have some chemicals that help lower the temperature where the crystals and gel start forming. Hopefully, fuel distributors are adding the chemicals so they don't gel up but you can't guarantee that. Plus, there are other concerns with keeping parts lubricated as ULSD is not that good of a lubricant but that is for another thread, that are also addressed by the PS/Stanadyne additives.
The decision is yours to either use the supplements in your vehicle or rely on the fuel station to have them. From other commentary, VW appears to be avoiding the issue of additives. The new vehicles use a loop heater to warm up the fuel between the filter and the engine to help minimize crystals when cold but then you have to wait for the engine to start putting out heat. I have a bottle of "white" in the garage already put into a measuring bottle that I will be using for mine during the winter. it can get mighty cold, mighty quick sometimes and I don't feel like getting a 5 PM surprise in the middle of the winter.
As others have suggested here in the forums, carry a bottle of PS Diesel 911 (red bottle). If you do get a gelled up system, this will help clear it up and get you going after a bit.
Enjoy your car. Drive more, worry less. And if you have any questions, feel free to drop on by.
