United Fuel Company

ABOUT US:

United Fuel is a fuel and oil distributor in Central Illinois serving Champaign, Ford, Vermilion and Piatt Counties. We ensure quality, expertise, efficiency and competitive pricing. We carry diesel fuel, bio-diesel fuels, gasohol, racing fuels, kerosene, propane, and full lines of lubricants by Mobil and Champion. Overall, we are just good people to work with!

We were established in 1978 and are still going strong today. When other family-operated fuel companies have sold out to the big corporations, United Fuel still remains local and family oriented.

We’re proud to be Locally and Family owned and operated.

PRODUCTS:

Fuel

Fuel keeps the engines running and powers our economy. We have a variety of fuels to choose from, but which is right for you?

Biofuel

What exactly are biofuels? Biofuels are produced directly or indirectly from organic materials. These can include plant materials, animal waste, and waste from a variety of industries. In contrast, fossil fuels are made from geological processes and include coal, petroleum, and natural gas.

There are a variety of fuel types that fall under the biofuel family, including:

1) Ethanol: which comes from the fermentation of sugars found in wheat, corn, sugar cane, sugar beets, and molasses as well as any starch or sugar from which alcoholic beverages can be derived.

2) Biodiesel: produced from oils or fats from a variety of plants including soy, sunflower, and hemp. It is made by reacting lipids from vegetable oil, soybean oil, or animal fat, with an alcohol. Biodiesel can be use on its own or blended with regular diesel fuel. Biodiesel is also often used as a heating oil.

Diesel

What is diesel fuel? Diesel fuel covers any liquid fuel used to power a diesel engine- where fuel ignition occurs without a spark. There are a variety of diesel fuels on the market including petrodiesel (derived from petroleum), biodiesel, biomass to liquid (BTL), and gas to liquid (GTL).

Standard diesel fuel is sold in two grades: Diesel #1 (or 1-D) and Diesel #2 (or 2-D). Diesel automakers call for Diesel #2 in normal driving conditions. Diesel #2 is less volatile and offers greater fuel economy so it is the standard for trucking.

However, diesel fuel becomes thicker and cloudier in cold weather. Extreme cold will cause it to become a gel and refuse to flow at all. Since diesel #1 flows more easily than Diesel #2, it’s more efficient in cold climates. Additionally, the two can be blended, so most service stations and fuel providers offer diesel fuel blended for your local conditions.

Kerosene

Kerosene, like petrol and diesel is a byproduct of petroleum. It is similar to #1 Diesel and is used in diesel blends and as jet fuel. It is used in lamps, kerosene space heaters, and as a cooking fuel in many underdeveloped countries. Ultra-low sulfur kerosene is used in many cities as a custom blended fuel to power their buses.

Kerosene can also be used as a solvent and as a lubricant. It has also been used as pesticide.

Kerosene is often added to diesel fuels in winter to lower the cloud point —the temperature that the wax in diesel fuel starts to solidify.

On Road vs Off-Road Diesel

On road diesel is always clear, meaning it doesn’t have any colored dye and is subject to motor fuel taxes.  On road diesel can be Diesel #1 (for extreme cold conditions) Diesel #2 (standard for most conditions), or blended. Diesel #1 has less wax for winterization, while Diesel #2 has more wax for lubricating the engine. On road (or highway diesel as it is sometimes referred) is more expensive due to the highway taxes that are applied to it.

Off-road diesel is dyed (usually red). Both Diesel #1 and Diesel #2 can be sold as off-road (dyed). Off-road diesel is cheaper because there are no highway taxes associated with it. It is typically used with farm equipment and heavy machinery.

Gasohol

Gasohol is a mixture of 10% ethanol (or grain alcohol) and 90% gasoline. It can also be produced from 3% methanol (wood alcohol) and 97% gasoline. Gasohol has a higher octane rating than regular gasoline and can provide better performance. It also reduces many emissions —including up to a 30% reduction in carbon monoxide. Gasohol can be used in most modern and light duty vehicles with traditional internal combustion engines.

Sunoco*  ®  110 Racing fuel

Whether you are a professional racer or a weekend warrior, we have the racing fuel to meet your needs. We carry Sunoco Standard 110 Octane, Leaded Racing Fuel, one of the most popular race fuels for all motor sports, and trusted by racing teams across the country. We also have availability for other Sunoco race fuels. Trust your vehicle to Sunoco® and we’ll see you at the checkered flag!

RV Gas

Need ethanol free gas for your generator, lawnmower, chainsaw, etc.? We have you covered. Ethanol blended gas can break down over time, absorb water, and cause problems for small engines. Keep your equipment running smooth longer by using our ethanol free gasoline!

Lubricants

Protect your hard working machinery and your vehicles with our high quality lubricants and industrial oils. We stock a broad range of Mobile/Exxon and Champion products, supplied at competitive prices.

Motor Oil

Changing your oil keeps your engine running smooth and reduces wear and tear —which saves you money! We stock a variety of motor oils for your vehicle and equipment needs. Not sure which one to pick? Visit this link to match your needs with the right oil: https://mobiloil.com/en

Grease

Grease is a semisolid lubricant and is the top choice for a variety of bearing and machine elements. It also acts as a sealant to prevent water and other materials from harming machinery. Grease consists of oil or other type of liquid lubricant, mixed with a thickener such as soap.

Nobody likes friction! Pick up some grease today and keep your equipment operating smoothly.

Special Chemicals Needs

We can get almost any chemical from our industrial suppliers.  If you name it, we can get it.  We have a full line available to us of industrial coolants, solvents, and chemicals.  If you have any questions, we will talk with you and blend exactly what you need for your equipment.

Mineral Spirits

Mineral spirits are a family of solvents used to clean and degrease machine parts and tools. They are also used as an alternative to turpentine for cleaning paintbrushes and thinning paint. Mineral spirits are called by different names including white spirit, mineral turpentine, petroleum spirits, or turpentine substitute.

Propylene Glycol

Propylene Glycol is often refereed to as non-toxic antifreeze. It is used as an antifreeze/coolant in commercial and domestic applications when the use of traditional antifreeze is inappropriate —such as food processing systems, or home uses where incidental ingestion could be possible. Small amounts are even added to a variety of products from ice cream to E-cigarettes.

Propylene Glycol is used as an engine coolant (often in aluminum engines) because of its low toxicity, low flammability, low freezing point, and high boiling point. It makes a great solution for protecting against bursts in pipe and containment systems.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is a solution sprayed into the exhaust stream of diesel vehicles to convert NOx emissions into water and nitrogen. The solution is comprised of 32.5% urea and 67.5% de-ionized water. The process is called Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and is found in vehicles from 2010 and later. DEF does not come in contact with diesel, meaning it is not a fuel additive. It is stored in a separate tank, commonly found with a blue filler cap.