Diesel Questions for driving in Canada

[1HOT BMR]

I'm taking my 2012 X5 35d up to Alaska at the end of August. I use top tier brands here in the US (Shell, Chevron, Union 76) and I'd like some advice on what to use in Canada. Also, is all Canadian diesel ultra low sulfur? If not, where is the label/warning if any describing the type of fuel at the pump? I'll be going through Western Canada.

[schnell325]

When you are in BC, use Chevron diesel as they are ULSD. There aren't any Chevrons in Alberta/Saskatchewan, so I can't comment on those provinces. Though I would think Shell would suffice.

[Sylvan Lake V35]

Yes it's ultra low sulfur, I usually use shell but petro Canada, husky, esso are also good stations. Diesels in general are very very popular in Alberta so you won't have any issues finding it here. You will actually be blown away by how many lifted diesel trucks you see when you get here. I assume you will drive up through Alberta, cross at sweet grass to lethbridge then Calgary to reddeer, Edmonton, grande prairie then cross over up to BC not much up there Dawson creek then to fort st John I think is the route to Alaska I have always flow up there but when I worked in GP/FSJ areas I always saw the RV convoies heading up to Alaska on those high ways. I have driven from sylvan lake (RedDeer) to California it's a long drive as is the drive to fort st.john fron SylvanLake so I don't envy you at all and one past FSJ I think it's pretty barren town wise anyway the scenery is great though.

[1HOT BMR]

Thanks for the good advice. Chevron in B.C. and look for Shell, Esso, Petro C., etc. the rest of the way. I understand all diesel sold in Canada is now ULSD like here in California. Fortunately it's a straight shot up to B.C. from here so it's not too long a journey - only 3K miles + each way. I also found out that is good to have an insurance card for Canada that is issued by your insurance company here in the U.S. If you are involved in an accident this yellow color card shows that you are adequately insured and it makes the situation a little easier. It only took me three days to get mine

I'm looking forward to this trip. Any advice as to what one must see or any other rec. is welcome. There is a National Geoghraphic book titled Drives of a Lifetime and three or four of the ones included in the book are going to be along the way

[Sylvan Lake V35]

Yes you're right from CA it's pretty much a straight shot through BC, it mush be east coasters I would see going through Alberta. BC has some beautiful scenery. It's pretty expensive though. We always joke that BC=Bring Cash. . How many days are you doing it over? It's got to be 55-60hrs of driving time are you going to Ancorage?

[schnell325]

If you are in to the "gold rush" history, there's this place that's very historic and pretty cool to visit:

http://www.barkerville.ca/


Are you bringing a spare tire? I'm just going to guess that not many small towns will have ready access to RFTs, and not many big towns north of Kamloops BC either.

I'm in Prince George, BC, so if you have any issues on the way up or on the way down, send me a PM or email and I'll see if I can help you out.
"michael2008e92 @ gmail com"

[1HOT BMR]

Originally Posted by Sylvan Lake V35

Yes you're right from CA it's pretty much a straight shot through BC, it mush be east coasters I would see going through Alberta. BC has some beautiful scenery. It's pretty expensive though. We always joke that BC=Bring Cash. . How many days are you doing it over? It's got to be 55-60hrs of driving time are you going to Ancorage?

I'm taking a month to visit and photograph the sights - I don't like to drive more than 500 miles a day, so at that rate it's a couple of weeks to just drive there and return. Anchorage is a stop I have planned.

Originally Posted by schnell325

If you are in to the "gold rush" history, there's this place that's very historic and pretty cool to visit:

http://www.barkerville.ca/


Are you bringing a spare tire? I'm just going to guess that not many small towns will have ready access to RFTs, and not many big towns north of Kamloops BC either.

I'm in Prince George, BC, so if you have any issues on the way up or on the way down, send me a PM or email and I'll see if I can help you out.
"michael2008e92 @ gmail com"

Thanks for the suggestion. I've added Barkerville to my itinerary - it looks like a fun place to visit. Also, thanks for your offer to help if I run into trouble. I got rid of my RFTs when the car had 100 miles, and I now run regular 19" Pirelli Scorpion Verdes for everyday driving around here but I'll take my 18" Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow set + chains up there just in case. I do have the factory spare I ordered with the car

[schnell325]

Originally Posted by 1HOT BMR

I got rid of my RFTs when the car had 100 miles, and I now run regular 19" Pirelli Scorpion Verdes for everyday driving around here but I'll take my 18" Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow set + chains up there just in case. I do have the factory spare I ordered with the car

Smart man! Safe travels.