Crummy California Fuel

[rvassar]

The wife and I just got back from a 4 day trip to Astoria, Oregon. We made it all the way to Salem on our first tank of fuel. Fueled up at Pilot ($1.19 for trucks, $1.43 for "auto" diesel), and I noticed the diesel seemed to have a much more pungent smell.

Well... I'll take stinky diesel any day! We completed our trip to Astoria, drove around town for two days, and made a marathon 13 hour run for home on Sunday. We stopped for fuel in Redding, CA becuase we thought we'd come up just short, and it was time for a driver change anyway. Fuel economy appears to have gone in the dumpster after the fill-up.

Our mileage on the Oregon fuel was roughly 19mpg, by paper & pencil method. I can't be entirely sure, since they don't allow self serve, and I can't be sure it was properly topped off. We went through multiple mountain ranges, and on the trip home, I wasn't in a fuel conserving mood. [img]images/icons/laugh.gif[/img] After the fill-up, I estimate at least a 4mpg drop, and this is on mostly flat central valley terrain, and similar speeds. I won't know for sure until I fill up the tank again.

I guess it's time for me to order a case of Stanadyne. I have to live with CA fuel, or move... Hmmm... [img]images/icons/crazy.gif[/img]

OT Side note: This was my first trip to Astoria. I really liked the place, although I'm guessing it probably gets a bit cold and wet in the winter. Trees appear to grow like weeds. We stayed at the Red Lion, right on the Columbia, and got to watch all the ships go in and out, as well as the local fishing traffic. The Salmon they catch up there are *HUGE*!! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] My dad and I briefly discussed skipping my cousin's wedding reception, and finding a charter boat! [img]images/icons/laugh.gif[/img] We're going to have to go back...

Cheers,

Rob