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By doing this it is easy to see how cost savings can be made and how a better fuel consumption rate (miles per gallon, or mpg) will give you an overall cheaper diesel fuel cost.
Perhaps one of the most important things to understand is that a smooth running, well maintained engine is just about the most important factors in getting better fuel economy. Further, many of the problems that occur with diesel engines relate to fuel quality, which can occur in several ways.
1. It can vary from shipment to shipment
Even if you use the same vendor each time you fill up with diesel, there can be changes in the fuel they are providing. The diesel quality can change, even in a small way, with each shipment your vendor receives. The key variables are:
* Cetane: this is the level at which the fuel will self ignite, with acceptable levels being between 40 and 45. Because the levels can change with every delivery, the are not widely known. The cetane level can affect the starting and combustion roughness of your engine.
* The specific gravity or 'weight' of the diesel affects the fuel's heat content. Lighter fuels (Type 1) have a lower cloud point and is generally regarded as better in colder temperatures. The heavier diesel (Type 2) has good lubricating qualities, and if they are both the same price, the heavier fuel generally gives better fuel economy.
* The viscosity of the fuel governs the efficiency at which fuel travels through the high pressure parts of the injection pump. Type 1 tends to have more fuel leakage - reducing your fuel economy.
Buying diesel fuel from truck stops is often the best way to ensure you are getting a high quality product. These retailers would go out of business fast if they began to supply inferior fuel.
2. Using a fuel reformulator
After millions of miles of road tests around the world, there can be no doubt that using a fuel reformulator will reward you with better fuel economy resulting in cheaper diesel fuel costs.
These reformulators, like Ethos FR, should not be confused with 'fuel additives' - the type sold in automotive retailers. These are alcohol or gasoline based products that actually increase your fuel costs because of the quantity you need to add to each tank.
The main reason for treating diesel is to provide better lubrication, to ensure all the desired working parts of the engine are lubricated, running smoothly. Many drivers don't realise that since low sulfur fuel was able to be used on road vehicles, the life expectancy of the fuel injection system has dropped by up to 25%.
The cleaning and lubricating esters in this fuel reformulator are groundbreaking technology in action. Its use results in fuel burning more completely, and gives an appreciable net gain in mileage per gallon - meaning cheaper diesel costs overall.
