Fuel

Cold-weather diesel explained: choosing the right winter fuel blend

Your guide to Cenex® winter fuels from Tri-County Co-op.

As temperatures drop, using the right winterized diesel fuel is essential to protect your engines, prevent gelling, and keep your equipment running all season long. Tri-County Co-op supplies Cenex® premium diesel fuels, specifically engineered to perform in cold weather.

Here's what you need to know about Cenex winter fuels and which option is right for you.

Why diesel struggles in winter

Diesel naturally contains paraffin wax, which begins to crystallize when temperatures fall. That leads to cloudiness at the cloud point, thickening or gelling of the fuel, plugged filters and fuel lines, and hard starts or complete engine shutdown. Choosing the right winter diesel makes all the difference.

Cenex® winter fuel options

Tri-County Co-op offers a range of Cenex® diesel products to match winter temperatures, equipment needs, and performance expectations.

Cenex® Wintermaster® premium diesel fuel

Your best option for harsh winter conditions. This is the Cenex top-tier winterized premium diesel, designed specifically for cold weather. It contains a robust cold-flow improver package that protects against gelling and filter plugging, provides enhanced lubricity, detergency, and injector cleanliness, and delivers excellent winter reliability for fleets, farm equipment, pickups, and diesel vehicles. Ideal for sub-zero temperatures and equipment that must perform no matter the weather.

Cenex® Roadmaster XL® premium diesel (on-road)

A high-quality, year-round premium diesel with a strong additive package. It improves cold-weather operability compared to untreated #2, enhances power, efficiency, and fuel system cleanliness, and is often used as part of seasonally enhanced premium diesel blends in winter. Ideal for on-road vehicles, light-duty trucks, delivery fleets, and commercial operations.

Cenex® Ruby Fieldmaster® premium diesel (off-road)

Premium off-road diesel formulated for farm and construction equipment. It delivers better cold flow than standard #2, an industry-leading additive package, and supports cleaner combustion and longer engine life. Ideal for farm equipment, generators, skid steers, and off-road machinery.

Cenex® #1 diesel fuel

A naturally low-wax diesel that performs exceptionally well in extreme cold. It offers significantly lower cloud and gel points, flows reliably in sub-zero conditions, and is often blended with premium diesel to create winter fuel. Ideal for severe cold snaps and critical equipment operation.

Cenex® #2 diesel fuel

Standard diesel that is commonly blended or enhanced for winter. Rarely used alone in extreme cold, it performs well when combined with Cenex® Wintermaster® or blended with #1 diesel for cold-weather protection.

Seasonally enhanced premium diesel

During fall and early winter, Tri-County Co-op provides seasonally enhanced premium diesel blends. These transitional fuels typically include Roadmaster XL® or Ruby Fieldmaster®, cold-flow additives, and partial blending with Cenex® #1 diesel to ensure reliable starts and flow during fluctuating temperatures.

Choosing the right fuel for your conditions

  • Above approximately 15°F: Cenex® Ruby Fieldmaster® or Roadmaster XL® (seasonally enhanced)
  • 0°F to 15°F: Cenex® Wintermaster® or a #1/#2 blended premium diesel
  • Below 0°F: Cenex® Wintermaster® plus Cenex® #1 diesel fuel
  • Extreme cold: straight Cenex® #1 diesel or a high-ratio #1 blend
  • Unpredictable temperatures: seasonally enhanced premium diesel
Not sure which blend is right for your equipment or local forecast? Our energy team is here to help.

Why choose Tri-County Co-op for Cenex® winter fuels

  • Fully authorized Cenex® fuel provider
  • High-quality premium and winter diesel options
  • Knowledge of local weather patterns and seasonal needs
  • Service for farms, fleets, commercial, and residential customers
  • Reliable delivery and on-site fueling
  • Friendly service backed by trusted community values
Contact us Have questions or want to schedule a delivery? Call (320) 324-7151 or email office@tricountyco-op.com

Cenex® is a registered trademark of CHS Inc. © 2025 CHS Inc.

Cenex® branded propane retailer

Reliable propane,
delivered locally.

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Leave the building. Don’t touch switches. Call (320) 555-0197 or 911 from outside.

Applications & uses

Home heating

Furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, cooking, and backup generators. Automatic delivery scheduling available.

Farm & ag

Grain dryers, irrigation engines, livestock building heat, and portable farm equipment. Bulk delivery, competitive ag pricing.

Commercial

Forklifts, generators, fleet vehicles, laundry & food service. High-volume contracts and dedicated account management.

Outdoor living

Grills, fire pits, patio heaters, and portable cylinders. Cylinder exchange available in-store — no delivery needed.

Delivery programs

How we deliver to you

Automatic

We track your usage and schedule delivery before you run low. No calls, no worrying, no running out. Best for primary home heating.

Will-call

You monitor your gauge and call when ready. Order at 20–30%. Typical 2–3 business day turnaround. Emergency same-day available.

bulk

Large-volume for grain dryers, livestock buildings, and farm equipment. Harvest-season priority scheduling. Ag-specific pricing.

New customer?

We work with licensed installers to get your tank set up. Call (320) 555-0197 and we’ll walk you through the process.

Safety guide

Stay safe with propane

Propane has an added odorant (ethyl mercaptan) — it smells like rotten eggs or a skunk. Listen for hissing near appliances or the tank. Look for dead or discolored vegetation near buried lines. Frost on the outside of your tank can also indicate a problem.

Put out all flames immediately. Do NOT touch any electrical switches. Leave the building and leave the door open. Turn off the main valve on your tank if safe to do so. Call us and 911 from outside or a neighbor’s phone. Do not re-enter until cleared by emergency responders.

Never let your tank drop below 20% in winter. Keep snow and ice clear from tank vents, regulators, and lines. Do not use a heat gun or open flame to thaw frozen regulators — call us instead. Note: propane contracts in extreme cold, so your gauge may read lower than expected.

When a tank empties fully, air and moisture enter the lines. All appliances must be inspected and re-lit by a certified technician before use — this is a safety code requirement, not optional. Call us immediately at (320) 555-0197. We’ll deliver and send a technician for the re-light.

Have all propane appliances inspected by a licensed technician every year. Check that burner flames are steady blue — not orange or yellow. Install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home. Never attempt DIY repairs on gas lines or appliances.

Pricing programs

Manage your propane costs

Propane prices fluctuate seasonally — rising in fall as winter demand builds. We offer programs to protect your budget.

Limited time

Pre-buy propane & lock in this season’s price before winter

Pricing varies by volume, delivery location, and program. Call us for a current quote — we’ll find the program that fits your needs and budget.

Frequently asked questions

Call when your tank gauge hits 20–30%. In winter, deliveries can take 2–3 business days, so don’t wait until it’s below 10%. Automatic delivery customers don’t need to monitor this — we handle it.

It depends on your original installation. Leased tanks are tied to a specific supplier. Owned tanks can be filled by any provider, including us. Check your installation paperwork, or call us at (320) 555-0197 — we’ll help you find out.

Yes, if you own your tank outright. We cannot fill tanks leased from another provider as those remain their property. Call ahead to confirm before scheduling your first delivery with us.

Residential deliveries typically have a 100-gallon minimum. For smaller tanks or unusual situations, call us — especially for first-time customers or emergency fills where we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

We use your usage history and weather data to estimate when you’ll need propane and schedule delivery proactively. You’ll receive a notification before we arrive. No calls or monitoring required on your end.

Residential tanks from 100 to 1,000 gallons, agricultural bulk tanks, and commercial tanks of various sizes. We also sell portable 20 lb, 33 lb, and 100 lb cylinders at our C-store location.

Request delivery

Start your propane service

Fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch to confirm your delivery. Need it sooner? Call our propane line directly.

Or call our propane scheduling line: (320) 555-0197  ·  Available Mon–Fri 7am–6pm  ·  24/7 for emergencies

The next generation of Cenex® premium diesel fuels

40% more efficient

At breaking down harmful engine deposits1

Restores up to 4.5% more power

When it matters most2

Restores up to 5% better fuel economy

When every dollar counts2

2.5x more effective

In cleaning up and removing injector deposits and preventing further buildup in dirty equipment1

Months longer

Fuel storage life than typical #2

Up to 75% reduced filter blocking2

Cenex® TOP TIER™ Renewable Fuels

Renewable fuels: ethanol blends

Propane

A clean, efficient energy solution

🔥 Save More with Propane from Tri County Co-op!

Clean • Efficient • Delivered in Bulk

Looking for an affordable, reliable energy source? Propane is a clean-burning fuel ideal for heating, cooking, hot water, and backup power—perfect for rural homes, farms, and small businesses.

💡 Why Choose Propane?

  • Lower emissions than oil or gasoline

  • Highly efficient energy source

  • Works during power outages

  • Safe and versatile—use it indoors and out!

🚚 We Deliver – In Bulk!
As a member of our oil co-op, you get competitive pricing on bulk propane deliveries—straight to your tank, when you need it. No middlemen, no hassle.

👥 Member-Owned, Community-Focused
Your energy dollars stay local, supporting neighbors and building energy independence for our region.


✅ Ready to Make the Switch or Refill?

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Lubricants

Cenex lubricants deliver superior protection and performance for engines and equipment. Formulated with advanced additives, they help reduce wear and extend equipment life.

Tri County Co-op has DEF available at the pump for quick, convenient access. Save time and stay compliant by filling up your diesel equipment or vehicles right here.

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