Thread: Vortex diesel V ordinary diesel

Originally Posted by sam_d

I've seen some Caltex Servos that offer "Truck Diesel" as well as Vortex.

Usually the "Truck Diesel" (as they call it) is a couple of cents per litre cheaper....

Have never noticed "Truck Diesel" in Australia before but did see it recently in Europe. Shell have 3 grades of diesel there. So called 'truck', 'regular' and 'premium' diesel. Dammed if I know what the difference was, I tried all 3 and could tell no difference from the way the vehicle drove.

Anyway, the 'truck diesel' in Europe was very much cheaper than regular diesel, about 40 euro cents / litre cheaper (ie ~AU$0.5 /l cheaper). I know tax regimes etc. are very different between Australia and Europe but wonder why there is a such a big difference in the price differential between 'truck' and 'regular' diesel within the two regions - 2 c/l in Australia vs 50 c/l in Europe. It can't be just a matter of nozzle size and flow rate.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

And take all day.

A bit like filling LPG takes all day for less distance than anything.

What I really don't like about many truck Hi-flow pumps is that they often leak onto your hands while filling so you need to wear gloves. (disposable non-sterile) there's no point using leather as you'll still bring the fumes into the car with you.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

And take all day.

Especially the new ones with the misfuelling device goodness I'll never try and fill up with a high flow one again took forever and gotta stand there holding it gently for slow flow stuff it haha.


I have seen truck diesel a bit but probably living in a mining town and near Mackay all the heavy haulage that happens calls for it only a few servos with truck diesel though ands generally a couple of cents cheaper. As for economy with premium and normal diesel can't say I notice any difference at all.

Originally Posted by tonic

Next time you see truck diesel, see if it also says high flow. Trying to fill a truck from a car pump takes all day. Trying to fill a car with a truck pump can cover you in fuel.

Always use truck pump on defender

Always use Hi-Flow in the missus' Hyundai i30.
Takes 20 seconds flat to fill it

Premium diesels are said to have a higher cetane rating. Also are allegedly better in colder climates, where the other option is "winter diesel". Not living in a particularly cold climate or using winter diesel, I can't back this up.

I do notice slightly improved economy figures when I use premium diesels over their regular counterparts. Here in the Hunter Valley, caltex uses "truck diesel" as a way of distinguishing between regular and vortex diesel. All three caltex servos I use regularly have both varieties of diesel available at normal flow and high flow pumps. I always use the high flow pumps to fill the defender, and have never been covered in diesel. I do agree that they leak sometimes though, and the lock on feature doesn't always work.

The difference between normal and vortex diesel is an antifoaming agent and a fuel system cleaner - that's it.

According to the mdss it hasn't got a higher cetane rating.

I wonder if truck diesel is the same as agricultural diesel, normally being less refined and having a higher sulphur level.

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Our local Caltex servo sells regular diesel and straight unleaded. It is privately owned. About 5 K up the road there is a Woolworths Caltex selling vortex diesel and e 10 regular. Last week I happened to get vortex diesel cheaper than regular