In recent weeks, Winter Texans have told us they are having difficulty finding gas stations that carry the new ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, which is required in 2007 and later model diesel engines. Other diesel fuels may cause damage to the newer engines.
The best way to know whether the fuel you are pumping is the correct diesel is to look for the green decal label on the pump, said Mike Broughton, an officer of Vista Oil Company, which supplies fuels to many of the Shell stations in the Valley.
Following are some locations where the ultra-low sulfur diesel can be purchased, as reported to the Winter Texan Times by Winter Texans.
• Leo’s Drive In Exxon located at Expressway 83 and Business 83, west side of Mission.
• Leo’s Drive In Exxon located at Three Mile Line and Inspiration.
• Fiesta station on Business Hwy. 281 at Canton Rd., Edinburg.
• Silver Spur Truck Stop located at 2705 N. Cage Blvd. (Hwy 281), Pharr.
Gas stations are not required to change over to the new ultra-low sulfur diesel until 2010. To convert a diesel fuel storage tank to the new fuel, it has to be “turned” or cleaned four times before the new fuel can be loaded. Few stations have made the change because of the complicated process, said Debra Leao, with Susser Oil in Houston.
According to Broughton and Leao, other stations should be carrying the new diesel, but they could not say just where.
We received an inquiry this week from a Winter Texan living at Llano Grande, in Mercedes, looking for the new diesel fuel.
Call Us
If you know of any gas stations or truck stops in the Rio Grande Valley – especially in the Mid-Valley and Lower-Valley – that carry the ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, call our editor at 956-580-7800, or email us at news@wintertexan times.com and we’ll be sure to pass it along to other Winter Texans.
These locations will also be posted on our website at www.wintertexantimes. com.