Diesel fuel for E250
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 71
Likes: 11
'12 E350 BlueTEC Sport
Typically, top tier gas brands also apply to diesel fuel. So your Shells and Chevrons are your best bet. Avoid stations used by truckers. There is also discussion of supplemental diesel fuel additives. Some say it is not necessary (or not recommended), but I use Stanadyne Performance Formula between fill-ups. You can research diesel fuel additives yourself.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 366
Likes: 53
From: Bandon, Or.
2013 E550 Sedan
250 Diesel Fuel
X2 on top tier fuels. I would be sure to find out that the fuel you use to be no more than 5% bio-diesel. The local Chevron station here sells a B20 Diesel blend which is a no-no according to the owners manual of the 2014 GLK 250 I had.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 746
Likes: 26
None
Guys. Top tier fuel is a gasoline standard. It has no applicability to diesel fuel. You cannot necessarily relate a particular chain's gasoline quality with their diesel quality. It may be bad news for us diesel users, but unlike gasoline, the vast majority of diesel fuel has no cleaning agents in it. There is no minimum standard for detergents. Some retailers have started offering premium diesel products with detergents, which will help long-term engine performance.
Definitely avoid anything beyond 5% biodiesel as it could void your warranty, but anything beyond 5% would need to be clearly labelled.
Whether a trucker is using a service station has absolutely no impact on fuel quality, not sure why someone would use that as a deciding factor.
In short, I would give you the following advice:
Avoid biodiesel if you can. It has lower BTU content (poorer mileage), shorter shelf life and is susceptible to degradation if contaminated with water.
If you are planning to keep your car for a long time, and can find a retailer with a premium diesel product, go for it.
Definitely avoid anything beyond 5% biodiesel as it could void your warranty, but anything beyond 5% would need to be clearly labelled.
Whether a trucker is using a service station has absolutely no impact on fuel quality, not sure why someone would use that as a deciding factor.
In short, I would give you the following advice:
Avoid biodiesel if you can. It has lower BTU content (poorer mileage), shorter shelf life and is susceptible to degradation if contaminated with water.
If you are planning to keep your car for a long time, and can find a retailer with a premium diesel product, go for it.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 71
Likes: 11
'12 E350 BlueTEC Sport
I should clarify my brevity.
Top Tier gas brands are more likely to carry "premium diesel." In California, at least, the only places I have seen premium diesel sold is from Shell and Chevron. So I admit I was speaking from my personal observations. I typically fill at Chevron or 76 and add 8oz of Stanadyne.
What I have read in the past, trucker filling stations have massive holding tanks (as expected) which are more acceptable to contaminates and water. For big trucks, this is not a concern for them.
Biodiesel has excellent lubricity properties, so 2-5% bioblend has some benefits.
Top Tier gas brands are more likely to carry "premium diesel." In California, at least, the only places I have seen premium diesel sold is from Shell and Chevron. So I admit I was speaking from my personal observations. I typically fill at Chevron or 76 and add 8oz of Stanadyne.
What I have read in the past, trucker filling stations have massive holding tanks (as expected) which are more acceptable to contaminates and water. For big trucks, this is not a concern for them.
Biodiesel has excellent lubricity properties, so 2-5% bioblend has some benefits.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut
2018 BMW 540d
It's my understanding that the diesel found in a particular area usually comes from a single distributor,making what you find at the cleanest suburban Shell station and the diriest Mom & Pop station the very same stuff.I have no evidence to back that up however.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 355
From: USA - Minnesota
2014 GL350
Typically there are only a couple refineries that provide product for a given region. In many areas there is only one.
But that's only the beginning. There are variances in the quality of product produced as well as WIDE variances in the additives blended. The "cheap" truck stop stuff will be closest to the raw product that meets the minimums for the standards (lubricity, cetane, etc) with the assumption that tucking companies will know which additives they need to add (or not) for their specific equipment.
"Branded" diesel (Shell, Chevron, ect.) fuels will have additional additives pre-blended per that company's specifications while "Premium Diesel" offers the highest specifications.
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 746
Likes: 26
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That's sorta, halfway, correct.
Typically there are only a couple refineries that provide product for a given region. In many areas there is only one.
But that's only the beginning. There are variances in the quality of product produced as well as WIDE variances in the additives blended. The "cheap" truck stop stuff will be closest to the raw product that meets the minimums for the standards (lubricity, cetane, etc) with the assumption that tucking companies will know which additives they need to add (or not) for their specific equipment.
"Branded" diesel (Shell, Chevron, ect.) fuels will have additional additives pre-blended per that company's specifications while "Premium Diesel" offers the highest specifications.
Typically there are only a couple refineries that provide product for a given region. In many areas there is only one.
But that's only the beginning. There are variances in the quality of product produced as well as WIDE variances in the additives blended. The "cheap" truck stop stuff will be closest to the raw product that meets the minimums for the standards (lubricity, cetane, etc) with the assumption that tucking companies will know which additives they need to add (or not) for their specific equipment.
"Branded" diesel (Shell, Chevron, ect.) fuels will have additional additives pre-blended per that company's specifications while "Premium Diesel" offers the highest specifications.
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 746
Likes: 26
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The thing is, with gasoline, there are essentially three levels of detergent additives: 1)the regulated minimum; 2) Top Tier; 3) some brands are now providing detergents significantly higher than Top Tier.
For diesel, there isn't any regulated minimum level of detergency, and only a few retailers are providing additized "premium" diesel.
