Diesel Car to Snow Lake Mountain - Use Winter Diesel?

bargain crazy on 25/07/2024 - 10:37
Last edited 07/08/2024 - 16:31 by 1 other user

Hi all, we are visiting Lake Mountain in Victoria this weekend (day trip) and my workmate told me that I should not have filled my tank but rather have fuelled at closer fuel stations to get winter diesel because the diesel can gel up.

I am not entirely convinced. I am in Melbourne and it does get cold here, but I have never had any issues starting my car in the last 5 years. My car is garaged though.

Hence wanting to check with the community as am sure people would have taken diesel cars to snow.

Thanks in advance.

Update: went to lake mountain Vic over the weekend and did not fill up Apline diesel.
It was all fine. Thought of adding an update here for future reference.

Automotive Fuel

Comments

Hybroid on 25/07/2024 - 10:39

+3

You can add a $12-15 winter diesel additive bottle if you really wanted to.

https://penriteoil.com.au/products/diesel-winter-fuel-treatm…
nicktork on 25/07/2024 - 10:40

+3

You'll be fine for a day trip. If you were staying overnight and temperatures were to drop considerably, you'd certainly be advised to have Alpine diesel. Maybe just top off your tank at a nearby servo.
jv on 25/07/2024 - 11:03

-4

If the temperatures will be reaching 0°C whilst you are there, it is a good idea to use the additive…
Muzeeb on 25/07/2024 - 11:33

-2

Lake Moutain

Switzerland is a long way to go for a day trip. I think jelly diesel will be the least of your problems.

Edit: thanks baysew, that makes sense now.
- Baysew on 25/07/2024 - 12:00
  
  +1
  
  There isn’t a specific mountain named “Lake Mountain” in Switzerland.
  
  Perhaps you are thinking about Montreux on the Lake Geneva shoreline?
  - Muzeeb on 25/07/2024 - 12:10
    
    +1
    
    I was just shit posting on the typo. Lake Moutain sounded very Swiss/French to me so I just ran with that.
Brian McGee on 25/07/2024 - 11:37

+1

Diesel fuel gels when temperatures fall below 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit or -12 degrees Celcius.

Forecast is for -1 on sunday morning so even if you stay overnight you should be fine. Just make sure to drain any water traps before you go to bed (if applicable)
battler on 25/07/2024 - 13:33

Workmate doesn't know what he is talking about.
Your diesel will not freeze in a day trip.
(I have just done 2 weeks of day trips to Falls Creek and did not use Alpine Diesel)
Cluster on 25/07/2024 - 13:40

I assume you'll be carrying 50L+ of diesel with you from a lower, warmer altitude. That's a lot of liquid to cool down, and it won't be a problem for a weekend trip.

If you fly on a long distance flight it's quite common to see the outside temperature fall to -50c or even lower, yet the fuel is fine. Why? It takes days to freeze tens of thousands of litres of fuel.

Diesel doesn't gel until well into negative territory anyway. Usually around -5c to -10c
pyramid on 25/07/2024 - 13:43

Lake mountain is snow resort off Marysville. Don't think need any funky additives or anything. Source : went there in diesel car 2 weeks back.
- Muzeeb on 25/07/2024 - 13:59
  
  Yet you make no mention that you got back. Did your diesel turn to jelly?
  - pyramid on 25/07/2024 - 14:01
    
    +1
    
    No it did not.. luckily we came back safely and had jelly later in the evening….
bargain crazy on 25/07/2024 - 16:53

Thanks all for your comments. Much appreciated for all your inputs.
- Muzeeb on 25/07/2024 - 16:57
  
  What's your conclusion?
  
  A. Tell your workmate he's a bozo
  B. Tell your workmate OzBargain knows better
  C. Top up tank with alpine diesel
  D. All of the above
  - bargain crazy on 25/07/2024 - 17:40
    
    +1
    
    My answer is option : D :)
    
    Majority wins!!!
doctordv8 on 26/07/2024 - 11:30

Did the Owners/Operators Manual with Fuel and Driving Conditions section offer any advise?

That is our first 'go to' place when customers ask us in workshops.

Diesel Car to Snow Lake Mountain - Use Winter Diesel?

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