Alpine Diesel

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We will be travelling to Falls Creek to play in the snow in the upcoming school holidays. I understand that I will need have the car as full as possible with Alpine Diesel when we get to the snow and have the car sit there for the next 5 days. I do however have a couple of questions.
The first one being, are you able to purchase alpine diesel in Melbourne (we have to drive through there) as it will be cheaper. If you are able to, how do I know if it is alpine diesel (do they just advertise as such)?
The second question is are you able to just put in an additive that will enable normal diesel to not gel in the cold?
Forgive the simple sorts of questions but I have not had a car in the snow before.
Scott

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

Re: Alpine Diesel

If you leave Mt Gambier with a nearly full tank, just fill up at Mt Beauty on the way up and you should be set.

You'll need chains too. The Pikes Garage in Mt Beauty also hires them out so you can kill two birds with one stone.

Michael

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Re: Alpine Diesel

Thanks Photoprado, it is good to hear from those that have been up that way. I reckon I will do exactly what you said and fill up at Mt Beauty. It is only 360 km from Melbourne to Mt beauty but is it hilly and windy for much of the way or only just the last bit?
Scott

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

Re: Alpine Diesel

I had the name wrong. It's Pyles Garage. Here it is in Google maps

Depending on the way you go, you can have it hilly and windy as much as you like.

We normally take the snow road turnoff between Benalla and Wangaratta. There's a big brown sign on the freeway the last line reads ALT SNOW ROUTE or something like that. It takes you through Milawa to Myrtleford. Once through Myrtleford we take the Yackandanda turnoff to the left which takes us up to the Kiewa Valley highway, then follow the signposts to Mt Beauty and Falls Creek. Going this way it's all pretty gentle. There are some twisties on the Yackandanda road, but not too bad.

You can also go via Bright and hop over the Tawonga Gap road, but it's very twisty and fun if there is snow and ice about. Family doesn't really enjoy it

The Mt Beauty to Falls bit is not too bad. Twisty and hilly yes, but they drive busses up it so it's not a mountain goat road. Have your cameras ready, it's very pretty if there has been snow recently.

Take it easy on the roads, especially if there is a lot of traffic about. Some of the snow traffic is nuts!

When you get to Falls, you will probably experience the Oversnow to get to your lodgings. This is the worst part of Falls, just stay calm and remember it'll be over soon. Have a great time.

Michael

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Re: Alpine Diesel

Thanks very much for your in depth information Michael, very much appreciated.
Scott

[Stevo De Devo Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Stevo De Devo]

Re: Alpine Diesel

If the temps up here in Brissie drop much more, I'm gonna need a supplier for the alpine fuel as well

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Re: Alpine Diesel

You should come down south a bit then, our max temps haven't been much more than your mins. I think I am going to have to go to the snow to warm up.

[bettsy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bettsy]

Re: Alpine Diesel

Hi

I live in a cold region (can get to minus 7/8 on cold winter mornings). Although the Prado is garaged, should I consider uitilising the alpine diesel if available. Thanks

Bettsy

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Re: Alpine Diesel

I think you will find that the diesel you are buying in that region will be a winter blend.

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

Re: Alpine Diesel

Scojahara,

Something important I forgot to tell you about driving to Falls.

Plan your food stop not to be at Mt Beauty. They do have takeaway opposite the above garage, but the service is way slow and the food is ordinary. They don't seem to be able to cope with more than 2 customers and the place is usually crowded.

The Bakery at Myrtleford on the main road and the Hamburger joint opposite it are good, the food is nice and the service is friendly.

Things can change of course, but that's what it has been like the last few years.

Michael

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Re: Alpine Diesel

Thanks for the heads up Michael