Hey look, a warning sticker for low sulfur diesel
I was filling up yesterday and noticed a sticker on the diesel pump warning about the damage the low sulfur fuel might do to new engines that I wanted to know a bit more about. If you're a regular diesel-fueler, you might be used to this warning, but I'm not and wasn't. Since I was curious, I thought some of our readers might be, too.
The text of the sticker is as follows:
Low Sulfur Highway Diesel Fuel (500 ppm Sulfur maximum). Warning. Federal law prohibits use in model year 2007 and later highway vehicles and engines. Its use may damage these vehicles and engines.
The station I was at was still selling the older, non-Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel. ULSD has a maximum sulfur content of 15 ppm and was introduced in late 2006, but isn't universal yet. According to a downloadable PDF of the regulation from OPISnet,
From June 1, 2006 through September 30, 2010, any retailer or wholesale purchaser-consumer who sells, dispenses, or offers for sale or dispensing, motor vehicle diesel fuel subject to the 500 ppm sulfur standard of §80.520(c), must prominently and conspicuously display in the immediate area of each pump stand from which motor vehicle fuel subject to the 500 ppm sulfur standard is offered for sale or dispensing, the following legible label, in block letters of no less than 24-point bold type, printed in a color contrasting with the background: [sticker text]
There's an enlargement of the warning sticker after the jump. What's it look like in your neck of the woods? Are the stations selling ULSD or not?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mattias 7:04PM (2/04/2008)
I know this kind of confusion... In the late 1990s when common rail diesels got the standard here, travelling to Romania and Bulgaria was getting risky. So we bought old PSA or VW or Renault or Mercedes Diesels with Bosch or Roto Injection Pumps. But however, after two or three years, quality improved and it was not a problem anymore to travel to these countries with common rail injected cars. Now, every Diesel Dacia has a common rail injection, so there is virtually no Petrom wer you get this pseudo low sulfur Diesel.
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Dad 7:44PM (2/04/2008)
"Are the stations selling ULSD or not?"
All ULSD, been that way for months.
Midwest
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why not the LS2/LS7? 8:17PM (2/04/2008)
Here in California, non-ULSD (at road-going pumps) has been banned since slightly before the rollout even began in other states.
I don't know if this applies to all of the CARB area.
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Wedge 9:39PM (2/04/2008)
In NJ it is a bit of a crap shoot. Most of the name brands (Shell, BP) in my area have switched to ULSD though I have come across a few Exxons still carrying the LSD only. You really need to take the time and read the stickers, been a year with our 07 Diesel and so far so good - sticking to name brands when I can.
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Paul Peterson 10:54PM (2/05/2008)
Shouldn't it read 2007 and EARLIER engines? This doesn't makes sense. The new engines are supposed to be specifically designed for ULSD.
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sensitive_man 10:17AM (2/06/2008)
Paul, read the sticker and the post and all will be revealed.. it does not say Ultra Low (15ppm).
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stevefazek 7:22PM (2/06/2008)
The ironic part 500PPM isnt low sulphur its just the same old crap thats still sold in some places. The Bush admin love to give things nicer names. Like its not a Civil war in iraq its just a few people having minor disagreements. They only renamed it low sulphur diesel when 15PPM came out so people wouldn't think the old stuff is as bad
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sean 9:44AM (2/09/2008)
500 ppm is Low Sulfur Diesel, it came out in the 90s IIRC and had the heavy truck market in an uproar. They were certain it would destroy the older engines, usually killed certain types of injector pump seals. 15 ppm is Ultra Low Sulfur, this is the new, to the US anyway, diesel fuel. This confusion is actually common, and I think one of the reasons for all the delays bringing diesels over. 500 ppm LSD will kill a DPF fairly quickly, and they are rather expensive to replace.
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peter 11:40AM (2/10/2008)
"...warning about the damage the low sulfur fuel might do to new engines"
This fuel won't hurt engine, it has nothing to do with engine, actually it is better lubricant and engine goes stronger. But with 2007 You can't use it because of DPF - diesel particulale filter, it would clog it (not right away) that's why You need ULSD, most stations have it now.
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