Freezing Diesel.....

[griff430]

I'm hoping to buy a 530d Sport and take it on a skiing trip to the Alps in the new year, but after seeing a British family trying to start their car with frozen diesel in their tank, before leaving the resort, I'm a bit concerned.

Are there any ways that I can minimise the freezing effect? I assume that a full tank would be harder to freeze than say half a tank, simply due to the larger volume, but that's only my theory. Are their any additives I can use to help prevent the freezing? Is the diesel available in the resorts any better than the standard diesel you can by in non-mountain areas? I'm sure it's a regular occurrence, given the low temperatures they experience, and somebody must have found an answer? (he says hopefully.....)

Dan.

[GlenMH]

It is not "frozen" diesel - it is waxes that are usually disolved in the diesel coming out of solution and solidifying. The way to avoid this is buy good qualify diesel over here - but just a little more than enough to get you there - and then topping off with local diesel when you get to your destination. By now, the really cold bits of Europe should be on "winter" diesel, which has a far lower waxing point, and you should not have problems.

The same thing happens with ships who have bought marine gas oil in warmer countries, which is why merchant ships are fitted with tank heaters...

HTH

Glen

[griff430]

Thanks for the info. I feel a bit happier about taking a diesel now.