Gas prices, Traffic, and Speeding

[stevej37]

$4.26 for reg here.
Our gov announced this past week that the state is building 30 new charging stations at state parks this summer along Lake MI. Each will have 4-6 spots for EV's.

Oh yeah....each charge is free.

Where is my free gas??

[cabmandone]

^^^
No soup for you!!

All over the board around here. $4.49 in Delphos. $4.29 in Van Wert, $4.15 in Lima.

[chrismorse]

Diesel has been over 7 bucks for weeks!!!!!!!

Oil Companys are reporting record profits Nationwide

WTF

Humboldt county, CA

[manbridge 74]

I’m about to burn 125 gallons to move six people across country. About $250-300 more expensive than last year. Still cheaper than flying and certainly outside the ability of any electric conveyance. The long term increase in the price of goods is of more concern IMO.

[Cairo94507]

But Biden insists the high gasoline prices are Putin's fault....

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

Ya know, we don't have te highest gas prices. California does.

I realized that when visiting our niece and nephew in Kailua Kona. He always got his gas at Costco. I told him "Hell, we pump it and refine it right in California. You guys have to ship it here and it's still cheaper!".

I filled up yesterday at "cheapo - creepo" gas station and it's $5.95 regular, $6.25 premium.

[cabmandone]

BTW, still not noticing any slowdown in the speeds on the highway. We were running 75mph on I75 (70 speed limit) and still getting passed pretty regularly.

[VINMAN]

Should be interesting with the concern of a DEF supply issue now....

https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/574285231/diesel-exhaust-fluid-shortage-may-hit-rvers-this-summer#:~:text=A%20worldwide%20shortage%20of%20the ,to%20hit%20the%20open%20road.

ARCADIA, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES, May 27, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ -- As any RVer knows, diesel exhaust fluid is essential for keeping your rig on the road. DEF helps to reduce emissions and keep your engine running smoothly. However, global supply chain problems are making it difficult to get DEF, and the situation is only getting worse. Many RVers are already having difficulty finding DEF, and the problem is expected to get worse in the coming months. This could mean that many people will be forced to cancel their travel plans or take their rigs off the road altogether.

The Impact On Full Time RVers

Full-time RVers and those who enjoy spending their weekends on the open road are all too familiar with “limp mode.” This is when a vehicle’s computer detects an issue with the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) system and shuts down the engine to prevent damage. While this can be a frustrating experience, it’s usually resolved by topping off the DEF tank and restarting the engine. However, there may soon be a bigger problem to worry about. A worldwide shortage of the primary ingredient in DEF, urea, is looming. And while this may not sound like a big deal, it could have a significant impact on the RV industry. If American RVers can’t get their hands on DEF, they may not be able to hit the open road. So, if you’re planning a trip in the near future, make sure to stock up on DEF.

Stuart & Melissa Crawford who work full time from their RV while running Ulistic, a digital marketing firm that specializes with Managed IT service providers in Canada and the United States, recently shared a YouTube video addressing the potential challenges with DEF Fluid on their YouTube channel.

Prices Of DEF Starting To Rise

As the trucking and agricultural industries continue to grow, the demand for diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) has increased significantly. However, this growth has not been matched by an increase in supply, and as a result, prices have started to rise. This is bad news for RVers, who rely on DEF to help keep their engines running smoothly. If the price of DEF continues to increase, it could lead to more frequent failures of the emission control system.

As any RVer knows, the DEF light on the dashboard is not something to be taken lightly. That blinking light means that the vehicle is low on diesel exhaust fluid, and if the level gets too low, the vehicle will be restricted to a speed of just 5 mph. This can be a major inconvenience for RVers who are used to being able to travel at their own pace. However, it looks like this may become a more frequent problem in the near future.

Prices for DEF are already on the rise, and with agriculture and trucking being the principal users of this product, there is a danger that supplies will dwindle. This could leave RVers struggling to find enough DEF to keep their vehicles running properly. So, if you're an RVer, it's time to start stocking up on diesel exhaust fluid. Who knows how long it will be before prices start to skyrocket.

Good News In The US?

The U.S. may be better off than many countries when it comes to urea, a derivative of ammonia. That's because Canada provides much of our urea supply. However, as worldwide shipping and production pipelines constrict, high-volume users could start a bidding war or hoard supplies, leading to empty shelves at auto parts and big-box stores. Adding to the threat: hurricanes have damaged many Gulf Coast plants.

Now is the time for RVers to lay in a good supply of DEF and take care when storing it. The best way to store DEF is in the original containers, away from temperature fluctuations. It is important to keep the jug caps tightly closed to prevent evaporation and contamination. When possible, RVers should top off their DEF tanks at truck stops that sell in bulk.

Don't Do This!

The old wives’ tale of peeing in your DEF tank is nothing more than a myth. Human urine does not contain the correct urea content for use in a diesel engine, and it also contains additional compounds and ions that can damage the SCR system. In addition, human urine is much more concentrated than DEF, which can actually cause problems with the engine. So if you're ever tempted to try this old wives' tale, just remember that it's not worth the risk.

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Tom Steele
Ulistic LP
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[Scott R]

Originally Posted by stevej37

$4.26 for reg here.
Our gov announced this past week that the state is building 30 new charging stations at state parks this summer along Lake MI. Each will have 4-6 spots for EV's.

Oh yeah....each charge is free.

Where is my free gas??

Don't you have to pay to enter a state park? It's like $5 here I think.

[cabmandone]

Gas jumped .64 in Lima and .30 in Delphos to $4.79 yesterday that's a big jump!

DEF worries for people who own RV's? How about semi drivers? If this comes to pass, my brother is going to look like a genius for putting a new engine in his old rig rather than buy a new rig. No def on his old Western Star. It has a DPF but no DEF.

"So, if you're an RVer, it's time to start stocking up on diesel exhaust fluid."
Oh sh.t! Here comes another shortage due to hoarding.

[VINMAN]

A DEF shortage will destroy the trucking industry. My newer fire apparatus need DEF also. So that will be another problem across the fire service.


.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

A DEF shortage will destroy the trucking industry. My newer fire apparatus need DEF also. So that will be another problem across the fire service.


.

On the plus side, the guys still driving older rigs, like my brother, will be able to name their price!

[Esel Mann]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

A DEF shortage will destroy the trucking industry. My newer fire apparatus need DEF also. So that will be another problem across the fire service..

My understanding is the DEF is utilized for emissions reduction? NoX reduction? So lack of DEF translates to increased emissions but doesn't compromise the engine per se. Yes, the engine management is supposed to dial things back when DEF goes empty (or disable the vehicle entirely on next start ala VW). All in the name of emissions. However that is a simple re-program to permit a temporary work-around and stop DEF usage or ignore it while DEF supplies are lacking. Albeit at increased emissions and an annoying service visit for disable, re-visit for enable.

I believe VW disabled the DEF system on their Touaregs circa 2014. Mine over multiple services didn't use a drop. Then one service after dieselgate broke (and likely a EM re-program), it started consuming it right on schedule.

[fastfredracing]

Originally Posted by Esel Mann

My understanding is the DEF is utilized for emissions reduction? NoX reduction? So lack of DEF translates to increased emissions but doesn't compromise the engine per se. Yes, the engine management is supposed to dial things back when DEF goes empty (or disable the vehicle entirely on next start ala VW). All in the name of emissions. However that is a simple re-program to permit a temporary work-around and stop DEF usage or ignore it while DEF supplies are lacking. Albeit at increased emissions and an annoying service visit for disable, re-visit for enable.

I believe VW disabled the DEF system on their Touaregs circa 2014. Mine over multiple services didn't use a drop. Then one service after dieselgate broke (and likely a EM re-program), it started consuming it right on schedule.

[VINMAN]

^^^
:d:d:d

[Deschodt]

6.999 today for 91 in NorCal. I guess they don;t wanna cross the psychological barrier of 7... I feel like an idiot not buying out my E-Golf lease now !

[gacook]

Originally Posted by Esel Mann

My understanding is the DEF is utilized for emissions reduction? NoX reduction? So lack of DEF translates to increased emissions but doesn't compromise the engine per se. Yes, the engine management is supposed to dial things back when DEF goes empty (or disable the vehicle entirely on next start ala VW). All in the name of emissions. However that is a simple re-program to permit a temporary work-around and stop DEF usage or ignore it while DEF supplies are lacking. Albeit at increased emissions and an annoying service visit for disable, re-visit for enable.

I believe VW disabled the DEF system on their Touaregs circa 2014. Mine over multiple services didn't use a drop. Then one service after dieselgate broke (and likely a EM re-program), it started consuming it right on schedule.

Yes, you can delete your DEF system entirely.

[cabmandone]

I truly hope this isn't true or at least doesn't come to pass but, I was talking with someone yesterday that said a friend of theirs works for a company that services gas stations. He was told they're reprogramming pumps to be able to display double digit prices. I can't imagine a modern gas pump couldn't already display $xx.xxx but I suppose it's possible.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by cabmando

I truly hope this isn't true or at least doesn't come to pass but, I was talking with someone yesterday that said a friend of theirs works for a company that services gas stations. He was told they're reprogramming pumps to be able to display double digit prices. I can't imagine a modern gas pump couldn't already display $xx.xxx but I suppose it's possible.

Heard the same.

[drkshdw]

Originally Posted by Scott R

Don't you have to pay to enter a state park? It's like $5 here I think.

If you live in Michigan you can get a park pass with your registration for $12 for the year, unlimited entries. For the FIP's (Chicagoans), it's $7/day which is cheaper than an hour in their home city to park on the street. That's provided someone is working the booth to collect the fees. Otherwise, just drive right on in free of charge.

And regular went up yesterday to $4.89 here from $4.46.