In another thread I noticed comments regarding Bio-Diesel vs. the non-bio flavor. It caught my interest because I've noticed as I have traveled west (i.e. to California) my MPG has gone down significantly. To put numbers to it from ~10/mpg to +-8/mpg.

At first I wrote it off as mountains, significant headwinds and perhaps additional provisioning and upgrades, but the Bio-Diesel issue got me thinking.

Does anyone have any stats re: Bio vs. Non-Bio diesel MPG performance?

Does anyone have any resources how to find Non-Bio diesel filling options? I normally fuel at the general truck stops (Loves, Pilot, Flying J etc).

Perhaps this topic maybe of general interest it certainly has peaked mine.

I made the comment in the other thread and I measured 20% reduction in mileage when running on bio diesel. Last fall I had difficulties finding regular diesel in Texas . In making a run from Fort Worth to Amarillo of approximately 300 miles I also noticed that the Duramax seemed to lose power climbing the hills and the truck was frequently downshifting to hold speed. It required two tanks full of regular diesel before performance returned to normal.

If you'll notice just about all diesel pumps have a sticker stating "up to 15% bio fuel", it may or may not be depending which fuel supplier has the best deal today, one may supply 15% the other 0%. Large users of fuel like truck stops are just like you & I, they shop around for what refiner in the area has the best price daily & that's the brand of fuel they buy today. Just because your favorite station is branded Chevron, Valero, BP, doesn't mean that's the only refiner they get their fuel from, their particular additive may be added to the fuel at some point. I spent 30 years in that industry & there were 3 fuel terminals (Conoco, Valero, Fina) all in a row & each day the trucks were lined up at which ever offered the best price.
So yes Ken your mileage will vary depending on area & from one FlyingJ/Pilot to the next, same goes for gasolines may or may not be 10% ethanol depending on different area regulations. By the way 10% ethanol gasoline will probably drop your mpg about that same 10%, in my opinion corn liquor should be drank not poured in my tank, but it was to provide farmers another market for the crops, not lower the need for fossil fuels.

I made the comment in the other thread and I measured 20% reduction in mileage when running on bio diesel. Last fall I had difficulties finding regular diesel in Texas . In making a run from Fort Worth to Amarillo of approximately 300 miles I also noticed that the Duramax seemed to lose power climbing the hills and the truck was frequently downshifting to hold speed. It required two tanks full of regular diesel before performance returned to normal.

You wouldn't think it by looking, but there's quite an elevation change from Ft Worth to Amarillo, 600-1000 ft if I recall, so you were climbing for 325 miles, if you were make the return trip you would've noticed an increase in mpg. Made that trip more times than I could count & once you hit the panhandle, about Childress, expect driving into the wind regardless of time of year & your mileage will drop like a rock.

In another thread I noticed comments regarding Bio-Diesel vs. the non-bio flavor. It caught my interest because I've noticed as I have traveled west (i.e. to California) my MPG has gone down significantly. To put numbers to it from ~10/mpg to +-8/mpg.

At first I wrote it off as mountains, significant headwinds and perhaps additional provisioning and upgrades, but the Bio-Diesel issue got me thinking.

Does anyone have any stats re: Bio vs. Non-Bio diesel MPG performance?

Does anyone have any resources how to find Non-Bio diesel filling options? I normally fuel at the general truck stops (Loves, Pilot, Flying J etc).

Perhaps this topic maybe of general interest it certainly has peaked mine.

I had the same issue coming west before Christmas. We stop at the same places and take the same highways and we run our tank down to a quarter before the stop at the next campsite, on one leg I had to do a fill because I wouldn't make it to our stop for the night. I thought it was winds but the pump indicated 20% biodiesel (which our Ford will accept) so I suspect it was the fuel, not the winds.

I record fuel usage on a fill-by-fill basis on a spreadsheet, I'll add biodiesel percentages to see if there is a definitive correlation.

I pulled our coach out to Indiana a couple of weeks ago and mileage was down almost 1 mpg towing. Couldn't figure out why, same route I've done several times.
When I go back out next week I'm going to have to see what the pump says at the places I got fuel ......

Vaughn, typically the pumps says fuel MAY contain 15% bio fuel, it won't say DOES & the folks working inside probably wouldn't know what you were talking about if you ask.

Good point

Thanks for the insight. I guess this is one more thing in life I just don't have control over :(.

Well your 20% reduction in mileage may be because the real elevation change you drove was from around 650ft average for the DFW area to 3700 and change in Amarillo..... LOL I run this dedicated route all the time and it does make a big difference to us on the trains, heading back home not so much down hill most of the way. I do notice a big difference with the Fuel I get at Bucees which I believe is more Bio blend than most other places lose a couple miles per gallon.

But Bucees are just to nice to pass up.

But Bucees are just to nice to pass up.

Agree Danny! Big lanes and PLENTY of pumps. Very clean facilities, along with nice areas to walk the pets! Oh... Don't forget all the goodies to choose from inside!

Bob

The last one I stopped at, last Oct, in Terrell they had DEF for $1.49 a gal, it came in a 2 1/2 gallon jug, but was still cheaper than most truck stops at the pump.
And I agree, I have to save at the pump cause some one I'm with will spend the savings + inside on goodies.

Danny, Bob have you ever had the Beaver Nuggets?

Beaver Nuggets = Texas Crack

Yes sir!