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What is winter fuel and when does it appear at stations?
(photo Moje Auto)
Changes in car operation occur in rhythm with the seasons. When we say goodbye to summer and feel the weather getting colder, we start thinking more about winter tires. However, winter fuel is not always as popular. We forget that frost is not a friend of our vehicle engines. It is in winter that it most often refuses to obey us. You go to the gas station and fill up as usual. Are you doing it right? Wouldn't winter fuel be a better solution?
What is the difference between winter and summer fuels?
The car can be powered by gasoline, LPG or diesel fuel. It would seem that choosing fuel at a station is not difficult, all you need to do is fill up with the appropriate energy carrier. In reality, however, we do not always choose well. Low temperatures are not favorable for either of them, which is why many producers deliver during periods of lower temperatures winter fuels, which are a modified summer version. In winter, gasoline causes the least problems because it is the fuel least sensitive to temperature changes. Frost only affects vapor pressure, that's why winter fuel has this value slightly increased, which translates into better starting properties. They also differ from summer fuel in the content of additives whose task is to absorb moisture. This reduces the risk of corrosion of fuel lines.
(My Car infographic)
It is more difficult in the case of LPG. Winter fuel is a mixture with an increased content of volatile gas (propane), which translates into an increase in gas prices. Such properties optimize the LPG vapor pressure, and the engine and its power system maintain their efficiency.
Most problems occur in diesel engines. Winter diesel fuel is significantly different from the one we refuel in the summer. The most important parameter is the cold filter blocking temperature, which determines the limit value below which paraffin precipitates in the fuel. This results in the filter being blocked and therefore preventing the flow of diesel fuel. The cold filter plugging temperature (CFPP) varies depending on the period during which the fuel is used. There are 3 types of diesel fuel at your disposal - winter -20° C, intermediate -10° C and summer 0° C. Due to the very high sensitivity of diesel fuel to low temperatures, it is also worth using special additives, diesel depressants preventing paraffin precipitation, lowering the oil solidification point and improving cold engine starting. Moje Auto's offer includes a depressant with effectiveness down to -40° C. Therefore, it can be used even during extreme frost.
Winter fuel – since when at gas stations?
The year can be divided into three periods, as stated in the PN-EN 3:228 standard regarding liquid fuels. The summer period lasts from May 2005 to September 1, the transitional period from March 30 to April 1 and October 30 to 1, and the winter period from November 31 to the last day of February. The infographic below illustrates this well.
(My Car infographic)
It is during these 4 months, starting from November, that you can refuel at gas stations winter fuel. However, the standards describing them are not of a legal nature, so they do not force producers to provide fuels with specific parameters and at the right time. They are only a suggestion that you may or may not use.
Some companies offer drivers a wider selection of winter fuels. They include diesel oil with additional refinements that eliminate starting problems, even at -30° C. Additionally, it contains MDFI - an agent that effectively improves the flow of middle distillates. Each fuel refinement translates into a reduction in the values specified in the standards.
However, resistance to low temperatures is not the only problem that fuel producers have to face. Each change in the composition also causes other parameters to be modified, such as the boiling point and density of the fuel. In winter the boiling point should be high. Exactly that diesel depressants replace refining substances used by refineries.
You can also improve the efficiency of the engine's power supply system by replacing a used filter. It is worth doing this in advance, thanks to which you will enter the winter with a car well prepared for difficult conditions. When the temperature drops below 0°C, if possible, keep the vehicle in a warm place, try not to leave it outdoors all night. Appropriate operation of the car combined with the use of the right fuel is a guarantee of its better efficiency, performance and economical driving.
Winter fuel – since when and why?
- Winter fuel is a modified version of summer.
- Gasoline has a higher vapor pressure and moisture-absorbing additives.
- Winter diesel fuel is characterized by a lower precipitation temperature of water and paraffin.
- LPG for winter contains more volatile gas.
- Winter fuels you will refuel from November 1 to February last.
Fuel additive – 5 reasons why it is worth using it
Drivers are increasingly using fuel additives that perform various functions. They are used primarily to improve the operation of all vehicle components. The fuel additive is especially recommended for diesel engines, which are highly sensitive to the adverse effects of external factors, especially low temperatures. In winter, there are problems with starting the car. A special diesel additive allows you to effectively reduce this problem.
Fuel conditioner is used not only for diesel engines. We can distinguish several types of additives: antigels, depressants, fuel additive that cleans injectors, anti-paraffin additives and agents that prevent water from accumulating in the fuel tank. If you haven't used fuel additives yet, learn about the benefits you are giving up.
Quiet engine operation
Driving a car should be comfortable. Any louder sound is not only a cause for concern, but also reduces the pleasure of traveling, even on a short route. Fuel additives they contribute to quieter engine operation and reduced vibration. The efficiency of the car is improved through better vehicle dynamics.
Corrosion protection
Without proper protection, metal surfaces in car components are exposed to corrosion. This is a natural aging process of metal that can be slowed down or even prevented. It also performs very well in this role fuel conditioner. As many studies and tests have proven, it can increase the durability of metal elements and their resistance to corrosion by up to five times. Fuel additive prevents the destruction of metal elements, prolonging the efficiency of car components.
Less harmful substances
The use of additives means caring not only for the car, but also for the natural environment. They reduce the emission of toxic exhaust components, which means that significantly fewer harmful substances are released into the atmosphere.
Quick engine start in winter
If your diesel engine has trouble starting in winter, you can effectively prevent it by choosing the right one diesel additive for winter. This is a product we call a depressant, i.e. one of the fuel additives. It protects against blocking of the filter and fuel lines. But why can't diesel drivers sometimes start the engine?
Let's summarize
(My Car infographic)
There are two main reasons. When the temperature of diesel fuel decreases, it becomes cloudy. This is the result of the release of paraffin hydrocarbons. What to do if paraffin precipitates? In such a situation, the fuel filter becomes clogged and the injection pump cannot properly supply fuel to the injectors.
Diesel additive for winter prevents paraffin precipitation and thus improves cold engine starting. When choosing a depressant, pay attention to the temperature at which the agent is effective. Moje Auto's offer includes a diesel additive that retains its properties up to -40oC. Lowers the freezing point of diesel fuel and facilitates engine starting.
The second reason why the car often refuses to cooperate in winter is the use of low-quality fuel. During this period, always choose winter fuel with a reduced fuel filter blockage temperature. You will get the best effect if you use fuel additives and at the same time fill up with winter fuel, which you should find at every gas station.
Fuel additives so treat it not only as an improvement in the operation of your engine, but also as one of the habits when operating your vehicle. Thanks to them, you will reduce fuel consumption, improve driving comfort, protect metal elements against corrosion, take care of the natural environment and avoid winter problems with starting the engine. These are good enough reasons to use fuel additives.
Why is it worth using fuel additives?
- Prevents the release of paraffin.
- Thanks to them the engine runs quieter.
- They provide better protection against corrosion metal elements of vehicle components.
- They limit the emission of toxic substances.
- Diesel additive for winter makes it easier to start the engine.
Depressant - forget about problems with starting a diesel engine in winter
Your diesel won't start? Yesterday everything was fine, today your car refuses to cooperate. There may be many reasons. Diesel engines especially do not like low temperatures, frost and winter. It is in such conditions that the risk of the problem increases. It is at this time of year that you can most accurately verify the actual condition of the drive unit. You can deal with the problem in several ways, one of them is a depressant, i.e. a special, highly concentrated agent that lowers the freezing point of diesel fuel. What else can you decorate to get your diesel engine going?
The problem may occur due to lack of fuel in the injector rail and insufficient pressure in the fuel system. The problem often involves the starter motor, which is subject to wear and tear. The proper functioning of the timing drive, which is responsible for controlling the operation of the valve timing phases, also has a significant impact on starting the engine.
How to start a car?
The growing problem in winter can be alleviated by filling up with winter fuel, which appears at gas stations as the temperature drops. Summer diesel fuel may crystallize. This results in the fuel filter becoming clogged, which prevents the engine from starting. How to start a car when the temperature drops to 0 degrees Celsius or below 0 degrees Celsius?
Prevention is always better than cure. You can prevent freezing of summer diesel fuel by using depressant. It is a fuel additive that is poured directly into the tank. Its properties enable effective prevention of paraffin precipitation. Before winter, don't forget to replace the fuel filter. However, these activities are not always enough to prevent problems with starting the engine in winter.
Check if your car's battery is not too weak. In diesel cars, the starter is more powerful than in petrol engines, but it must operate at a speed of 100 to 200 revolutions per minute. It is enough that the speed is a few revolutions per minute lower to prevent fuel injection from activating. The battery is not a long-lived element, it is recommended to replace it every 4 years.
How to start a diesel engine?
There are many mistakes that drivers make when operating a diesel vehicle. They contribute to problems with starting a diesel engine in the cold, as well as to driving quality and safety and vehicle durability. Driving short distances is not good for him. To start a diesel engine, a larger amount of electricity is needed than in cars with a gasoline engine. The energy drawn from the battery must be replenished while driving. A short distance is not always enough.
In addition, driving in traffic jams contributes to wear and tear of the drive unit. The soot collected in the filter burns out when traveling longer distances. If it accumulates there, it is deposited in elements with variable geometry. It is also important to fill up with good quality fuel and clean the fuel injection system regularly. You also need to know that a diesel engine is more sensitive to low temperatures. In winter, there are difficulties with spontaneous ignition of the fuel mixture under the influence of pressure.
(My Car infographic)
Starting a diesel engine in the cold
Starting a diesel engine in the cold requires knowledge and adherence to several rules. As we mentioned, only heat candles once. In addition, start driving approximately 30 seconds after starting the engine, using the pedal more gently. Wait until the engine reaches the desired operating temperature before driving faster. This will minimize the risk of engine and fuel wear. For the first half a minute, the engine is not properly lubricated, so by loading it, you cause premature wear. Only press the gas harder when the coolant temperature needle reaches 90 degrees Celsius.
Depressant – how can it help you in winter?
You already know that frost is the biggest enemy of your diesel car. One of the components of diesel fuel is paraffin. It tends to change its state from liquid to solid at low temperatures. This leads to clogging of the fuel filter and fuel line. If the fuel system is clogged, driving is impossible. There are 3 types of diesel fuel available at gas stations:
- Summer - paraffin may precipitate at a temperature of 0 degrees Celsius
- Temporary - solidifies at -10 degrees Celsius
- Winter – solidifies at a temperature of – 27 degrees Celsius
However, not every driver remembers to fill up with the appropriate diesel fuel. Moreover, we cannot be sure that the winter one will work in extremely difficult conditions. Starting a diesel engine in the cold therefore requires the use of an appropriate additive. He is depressant. It lowers the freezing point of paraffin. Pour the appropriate portion of the agent directly into the tank when refueling. It is recommended to use it before the frost arrives. Why? Because depressor no longer dissolves crystallized paraffin.
How to choose a diesel depressor?
Pay attention if diesel depressant is adapted to the engine in your car. If you use bio-diesel, depredator it must be safe for the drive unit in your car. It must prevent paraffin precipitation and improve cold engine starting. There are various additives available on the market. Diesel depressant lowers the freezing point by several or a dozen degrees. Modern products can prevent solidification to temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius.
(photo: My Car)
Winter is not favorable for diesels. Remember to properly operate your vehicle all year round and start it properly. Prevent problems by using diesel depressant. Don't let yourself be unpleasantly surprised!
