Cold Weather Driving

[green-e]

Hi everyone,
Really sorry if this has been brought up before, but I'm struggling to find any information, even from Volvo dealerships. I've got a 2003 V70 D5, it's going to be pointed towards the Alps next weekend for a weeks skiing. I'm wondering if there's anything i need to add to the fuel to stop any fuelling/running/starting problems. The Car Park company have mentioned Alpine Diesel.

Any help would much appreciated

[Bernard333]

I wouldnt worry about it , just put in whatever diesel you find at the filling station , I think most diesel sold in France/Italy is now good for low temperatures , I have driven through the alps ( leaving from St Helens ) loads of times , got stuck a couple of times in the snow but never due to the diesel freezing up , last time I saw that happen was around 1980/81 on the M8 in Scotland when trucks had to build a log fire underneath the fuel tank to get the vehicle mobile again , have not seen anything similar since then . Got stuck around Bolzano ( I think ) in Italy , couldnt even see the road , just snow , just had to wait for a snow plough to clear the way which was about five hours later but at least we were able to keep the engine running .

[4 forty]

the oil companies have put an additive in diesel now for quite a few years to eliminate "waxing", the united kingdom is up to below minus 10 i think, colder climates in europe will have a lower threshold

[volvo145]

I dont know if driving in canada is relevant but i didn't have any problems at
-30+ in a 3.2 diesel v70,great motor.
What you will need is plenty of window wash with plenty of additives.

[Ben Hur]

Useful information for you:

Diesel fuel supplied in winter have additives to increase viscosity at lower temperatures. There is a term known as Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) this is the temperature at which fuel will fail to pass through a 45 micron wire mesh filter.

The CFPP for BS EN 590 Standard Diesel are: Summer -5 C and Winter -15 C.
The CFPP for Shell V-Power Diesel are: Summer -6 C and Winter -20 C.

In summary regular Winter Diesel in the UK will fail to flow at around -15 C and Shell V-Power Diesel will fail to flow at around -20 C. I can't comment on fuel suppled in mainland Europe, however I would stick to using Shell V-Power Diesel.

[Rossi-fan]

Years ago my boss used to throw in a small amount of 4 star petrol to try and stop the diesel from freezing up. Cant remember him having much trouble. On the odd occasion he had to run a flame along the small exposed pipes between the fuel tank and the engine bay. Once it fired up though, it was ok for the rest of the day

[volvo145]

Originally Posted by Ben Hur

Useful information for you:

Diesel fuel supplied in winter have additives to increase viscosity at lower temperatures. There is a term known as Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) this is the temperature at which fuel will fail to pass through a 45 micron wire mesh filter.

The CFPP for BS EN 590 Standard Diesel are: Summer -5 C and Winter -15 C.
The CFPP for Shell V-Power Diesel are: Summer -6 C and Winter -20 C.

In summary regular Winter Diesel in the UK will fail to flow at around -15 C and Shell V-Power Diesel will fail to flow at around -20 C. I can't comment on fuel suppled in mainland Europe, however I would stick to using Shell V-Power Diesel.

Sorry i should have explained better.
What i was getting at if he was going to another country surely he would be using there fuel with the correct additives without any problems.
Its not like the old days in this country when you had to heat the tank/pipes at the side of the road as everything froze.

[green-e]

Thanks all for your help. My mind is at ease now. I'll brim it at a motorway services before we hit big climbs. Touch wood there's plenty of snow.
Thanks again

[dolphian]

Don't worry stay calm. In this period most of the petrol company add special substances in the fuel. You need to buy winter cloths for your safety