Low Sulfur Diesel Prohibited?

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Paul Hovnanian P.E. - 25 Oct 2006 01:41 GMT

I don't have a diesel vehicle, so I'm not up to speed on all of the
related issues. But I always thought that low sulfur diesel was a good
thing (problems with shortened engine life due to decreased lubricity
aside).

So I was filling my car up at one of those combo petrol/diesel pumps the
other day and I noticed a sticker that said something to the effect that
this is "low sulfur diesel fuel" and its use in "highway vehicles" was
prohibited by federal law.

What's up with that?

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JustSayGo - 25 Oct 2006 01:51 GMT

I think it has to do with Federal Highway Taxes. Off-road equipment
users can purchase fuel for off-road use without paying highway taxes.
Off-road fuel would also have red dye in it for identification.

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Paul Hovnanian P.E. - 26 Oct 2006 00:11 GMT

> I think it has to do with Federal Highway Taxes. Off-road equipment
> users can purchase fuel for off-road use without paying highway taxes.
> Off-road fuel would also have red dye in it for identification.

Then why is it for sale at the local (Chevron, I think) station just off
the highway? At the same pump as plain old gasoline?

If I remember, I'll try to snap a photo of the warning sign and post it
somewhere. It doesn't say anything about it being prohibited due to its
tax status. It says its prohibited because its low sulfur.

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maxwedge - 25 Oct 2006 01:55 GMT

See this link.
http://www.chevron.com/products/prodserv/fuels/diesel/ulsd.shtml#A1

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Bob M. - 27 Oct 2006 03:21 GMT

>I don't have a diesel vehicle, so I'm not up to speed on all of the
> related issues. But I always thought that low sulfur diesel was a good
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> this is "low sulfur diesel fuel" and its use in "highway vehicles" was
> prohibited by federal law.

Low-sulphur diesel is required for 2007 and newer diesel engines, which are
designed for the stuff. Older diesels are not but it will still work. It
pretty much spells the end of diesels, at least temporarily because the new
emission-control stuff that the low-sulphur stuff requires is so expensive
now.

Off-road diesel is a completely different issue. Chemically the same as
"on-road" diesel, it costs a bit less because it has fewer taxes, taxes
being used to build roads, no sense in them paying for the roads they don't
damage. And, it's dyed red and the dye sticks to everything, so when the
state tax people check for compliance and find a reddish fuel filter in an
on-road vehicle, big fines will follow. (yes they do this kind of thing
occasionally)

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