E.R. Vine and Sons - Helpful Product Tips

How can I research information about Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel?
Visit the EPA website, epa.gov, or California Air Resources Board at, arb.ca.gov.

Will red dye harm my equipment?
No. Red dye will not harm your tractor or any other diesel-fueled equipment.

Do we pick up old oil drums?
Yes, provided they are completely empty, in good condition, with the 2” and ¾” bungs in place.

Does unleaded gasoline (old gasoline) varnish the fuel system more than the old leaded gasoline used to?
No.

How do I get rid of used oil?
By arrangement we can provide this service for our customers if the used oil is placed in a good, clean, used oil drum. Used oil containing anti-freeze or other materials cannot be accepted. If you have an EPA#, call American Valley Waste Oil (800) 732-4645. Small quantities can be disposed with the County Hazardous Materials Division, depending on the quantity.

How much gasoline is lost through evaporation in overhead tanks?
Very little if the tank is painted aluminum or white color. Dark, or black colored tanks will lose more gasoline from evaporation. All tanks will reduce evaporation rates if placed in a shady spot, and leaving them in the sun will maximize any evaporation.

Why is gasoline delivered by bobtail tank trucks more expensive than buying in town?
Because when you buy in town, you pay on the spot with cash or credit card. When delivered to your storage tank by bob-tail tank truck, additional expense is incurred because of the use of very expensive tank trucks, driver, and credit expended for up to 30 days for a much larger amount of money.

Why is diesel more expensive than gasoline?
That is normally not the case. Diesel used to be cheaper than gasoline, but one of the reasons for the increase is that there is now a higher road tax on diesel than gas, and diesel is now in shorter supply than gasoline. The supply situation is probably temporary.

Is branded gasoline better than unbraded?
Usually. Branded gasoline normally contains additives from the refinery that improves performance in engines, whereas unbranded gasoline usually does not. Additives increase the cost of product, and unbranded gasoline does not usually have these additives in the effort to have cheaper gas to sell.

How long does gasoline keep before it starts to break down?
Because of the tendency for gasoline to start evaporating its lighter components, loss of quality starts right away, but the process takes place so slowly, it takes over a year for it to become noticeable. Gasoline that has been stored for 3 years or more should not be used unless mixed with fresh fuel. Gasoline stored for longer terms can cause problems with a vehicles’s fuel system by depositing a varnish that will coat the system, making expensive repairs/cleaning necessary before the engine will run again. Dispel fuel, because it is more stable than gasoline in storage, can be stored much longer than gas before deterioration occurs.

Is there a difference between different brands of gasoline if the octane ratings are the same?
No. Not really. The advertising tries to infer that there is, and many companies use different additives than others, and these companies get all the advertising mileage they can from this, but the actual performance difference, if any, is very slight.

How do I know which octane gasoline to use if I cannot find my owner’s manual?
One way to find out is trial and error. If your car engine “pings” when increasing speed, it is from “pre-ignition” caused by too low an octane. Go to the next octane level. As long as your engine does not “ping” at any time, you are probably using the correct octane. Most engines today are designed to run “Regular” grade of gasoline, unless you have a “high performance” engine – and lacking an owner’s manual, a discussion with a reliable mechanic can be helpful.

What is the difference between “summer” and “winter” grades of gasoline?
Industry research has shown that the average time of gasoline consumption from the day of the manufacture to the day of purchase is two weeks, so refineries make gasoline formulated for what weather and temperature is forecast to be two weeks later. Adjustments at the refinery are made on a daily basis to allow for what the weather should be two weeks later. The main difference between gasoline made for cold weather use and hot weather use (or winter and summer grades) is a higher volatility type gasoline for winter use, and a lower volatility for summer use. When cold, gasoline will vaporize in the carburetor more slowly, so it is made with a higher volatility to help it vaporize faster. This makes for better engine-starting when the weather is cold. On the other hand, when gasoline is made for hot weather, it has a lower volatility rating, so that it doesn’t vaporize in the fuel system before it reaches the carburetor, causing what is commonly known as “vapor-lock” which stalls the engine until the system is cooled. Often, when encountering the first hot day in the early spring – and epically if climbing a steep grade in the hills – several cars can be seen stalled along the up-hill road from vapor-lock, caused by still having a “winter” grade gasoline in the tank instead of a “summer” grade that should be used. The motorist is usually struck there until the fuel system cools down to the point that gas does not vaporize before it should. Adding about a pint of kerosene into the fuel tank usually eliminates the problem, because it raises the volatility rate of the gasoline, slowing down the vaporization of the fuel.
Government regulations are now imposed on refineries, terminals, and fuel distributors that mandate when these winter/summer changes are to be made

Why the difference in price between sellers in town, example: AM/PM and Shell, etc.?
If the station is owned and operated by a branded refiner, the branded refiner can set the price. If the station is owned and/or operated by an individual, then the operator sets the price. That is one of the reasons you see a variety of prices on the street. It is also illegal for operators to agree to a certain price and heavy penalties can result if convicted of doing so. This is commonly known as “price-fixing”. It is also illegal to inform a competitor of what you intend to do with regard to pricing gasoline.

Should I order oil in drums or in bulk?
Customers are often don't realize the difference between asking for a drum of oil and bulk oil. Bulk oil requires that you have an oil tank at your site or a drum with a pump, to transfer the oil into. Drummed oil arrives in it's own drum package. E R Vine does sell bulk oil tanks, however you must have them installed at your location in advance of your order to receive the bulk oil. A benefit of receiving oil in bulk is that it is generally cheaper than drum packaged oil. Contact your E R Vine sales representative for more information of purchasing a bulk oil tank at (209) 537-0723.

When placing an order over the phone it is very important specifically request 'Bulk' oil only if you need bulk, and 'Drum' only if you want drum oil.