Shell V-Power Diesel is a low-sulfur diesel fuel with a multipurpose additive package developed for current high-speed compression ignition engines.
Is all Shell diesel Ultra-Low Sulfur?
EPA recommended ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel as a new sulfur content standard for on-road diesel fuel marketed in the United States since October 15, 2006, with the exception of rural Alaska, which switched in 2010. It has been compulsory in California since September 1, 2006. This new rule applies to all diesel fuel, diesel fuel additives, including distillate fuels such as kerosene that are combined with diesel for on-road use. Since December 1, 2010, all highway diesel fuel in the United States has been ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD). In 2007, non-road diesel engine fuel was upgraded to 500 ppm sulfur, then in 2010 it was upgraded to ULSD. In 2007, railroad locomotive and marine diesel fuels were modified to 500 ppm sulfur, then in 2012, they were upgraded to ULSD. Small refiners of non-road, locomotive, and marine diesel fuel were granted exemptions, allowing 500 ppm diesel to remain in the system until 2014. All roadway, non-road, locomotive, and marine diesel fuel will be ULSD after December 1, 2014.
In model year 2007 and newer highway diesel fuel engines equipped with advanced pollution control systems that required the new fuel, the EPA mandated the use of ULSD fuel. In 2014, these sophisticated pollution control systems were mandated for marine diesel engines, and in 2015, locomotives.
The permissible sulfur content for ULSD (15 ppm) is substantially lower than the previous U.S. on-highway standard for low sulfur diesel (LSD, 500 ppm), allowing for the installation of modern emission control systems that would otherwise be harmed or made ineffective by these compounds. These devices can significantly reduce nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions.
Because this fuel grade is comparable to European grades, European engines will no longer need to be redesigned to cope with the greater sulfur level found in the United States. Advanced emissions control technologies, which would otherwise be harmed by sulfur, may be used in these engines. The ULSD standard was intended to enhance the availability of diesel-fueled passenger cars in the United States. Diesel-powered vehicles have been far more popular in Europe than they have been in the United States.
Additionally, the EPA has made it easier for manufacturers to shift to stricter emissions requirements by relaxing them for light-duty diesel engines from model years 2007 to 2010.
According to EPA projections, the new diesel fuel regulations will lower nitrogen oxide emissions by 2.6 million tons per year and reduce soot or particulate matter emissions by 110,000 tons per year.
On June 1, 2006, refineries in the United States were required to produce ULSD (15 ppm) for 80% of their annual output, and petroleum marketers and retailers were required to label diesel fuel, diesel fuel additives, and kerosene pumps with EPA-authorized language disclosing fuel type and sulfur content. Other restrictions, such as EPA-authorized wording on Product Transfer Documents and sulfur-content testing standards, went into effect on June 1, 2006, to prevent misfueling, contamination by higher-sulfur fuels, and liability difficulties. The EPA originally set a deadline of July 15, 2006 for distribution terminals and September 1, 2006 for retail for industry compliance to a 15 ppm sulfur level. The deadline was extended by 1.5 months on November 8, 2005, to September 1, 2006 for terminals and October 15, 2006 for retail. The extension was not granted in California, and the original schedule was maintained. The ULSD standard was in force according to the modified schedule as of December 2006, and compliance at retail outlets was reported to be in place.
What’s the difference between Shell V-Power diesel and normal diesel?
Shell’s version of an upgraded diesel fuel, similar to BP’s ‘Ultimate Diesel,’ is called V-Power Diesel. Shell V-Power Diesel, like BP Ultimate Diesel, is developed for current compression-ignition diesel engines to provide improved engine performance as well as higher engine protection, resulting in more consistent operation and engine longevity.
Because of the synthetic gas to liquid (GTL) component, V-Power diesel is much clearer and odourless than regular diesel.
How do you know if diesel is ultra-low sulfur?
Step 1: Make sure the pump is working properly. About two-thirds of the way up the pump, look for a label that says ULSD 15ppm.
Since the deadline for merchants to switch from selling LSD to ULSD was in 2010, all highway gas stations should have ULSD pumps. The average quantity of sulfur in the fuel, measured in parts per million, is 15ppm.
Older diesel versions register various grades, 500ppm and 5000ppm, and are only available by special order for off-road vehicles. These diesel grades are also known as âfarm fuel.â
Step 2: Determine the cost. Aside from the fact that it will be indicated on the label, the most noticeable distinction between LSD and ULSD is the price.
ULSD is more expensive since it requires more refining and processing. ULSD will cost between $0.05 and $0.25 per gallon higher than LSD.
Step 3: Examine the odor. The additional refinement required to make ULSD decreases aromatic components, making it smell less powerful than other fuels.
This isn’t a perfect indicator, though, because each example will differ depending on refinery source.
- Inhaling gas fumes is never appropriate or safe in any situation. Inhaling solvents such as gasoline can cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and even brain damage. However, avoid getting too close to the fuel to smell it because the fumes will be visible in the air as you pump.
Step 4: Take a look at the color. LSD fuels must now be dyed red, and ULSD’s hue is paler than LSD’s, which appears yellow, due to the additional processing required.
Only if you’re pumping diesel into a fuel-safe container should you be concerned about the color of the fuel you’re pouring.
Step 5: Consult a member of the staff. Ask a gas station attendant if you’re still unsure whether you’re pumping ULSD into your vehicle.
Using Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel to help reduce emissions has become a nationwide strategy. Low Sulfur Diesel, an older fuel, is still used on occasion, but ULSD is more commonly found at the pump. Always double-check to make sure you’re getting the fuel you want, and if you notice any leaks while filling up, have one of YourMechanic’s licensed professionals evaluate your vehicle.
Which diesel is low sulfur?
Diesel Standards Overview Beginning in 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began implementing more rigorous restrictions to reduce the amount of sulfur in diesel fuel to 15 parts per million (ppm). Ultra-low sulfur diesel is the name given to this type of fuel (ULSD). The EPA’s diesel guidelines aim to reduce emissions from two types of vehicles: on-road (or highway) vehicles, and off-road (or highway) vehicles.
Is diesel #2 low sulfur?
No. 2 diesel fuel with a sulfur content of no more than 15 parts per million. It is mostly utilized in on-highway diesel engines in automobiles. A petroleum distillate that can be used as either a diesel fuel (see No. 1) or a gasoline fuel (see No.
Is #2 diesel ultra low sulfur?
Until October 2006, low sulfur diesel #2 was the standard highway fuel. The low sulfur version was supposed to have a sulfur concentration of no more than 500 ppm. Until 2014, this type was used in off-road, maritime, and agricultural applications. In October 2014, ultra low sulfur types became the standard for diesel engines across the country.
Is V-Power diesel good for your car?
They don’t, in fact. Higher cetane diesel (i.e. V-Power) enhances any diesel, whereas higher octane gasoline only benefits automobiles that have been tuned for it. Modern cars may be able to advance the time, but I believe it works best on cars with higher compression, such as turbo petrols, because more boost can be run.
Does Shell V-Power diesel clean your engine?
Aids in Cleaning Components of the fuel system Shell V-Power fuels have the consistency of a soapy sponge. They help to clean and safeguard your engine thanks to enhanced cleaning technology, providing you our finest cleaning power for your engine2.
What is green diesel?
On-road diesel is either clear or somewhat green in appearance. When diesel fuel is freshly dispensed into a bottle to observe its color, refineries add a green dye, which is visible. This dye fades to yellow or darker colors as the fuel ages. Checking the fuel for a “bright” appearance, with the faint green dye being a giveaway that the diesel is new and in good condition, is part of a visual inspection to assess diesel fuel quality.
What is dyed diesel?
Diesel contains dye in almost all of it. When we talk about dyed diesel, we usually mean a red dye applied to off-road diesel. Off-road diesel is typically used for heating oil, construction fueling, agricultural use, and other off-road equipment not needed to pay fuel taxes on the highway system.
What is farm diesel?
Off-road diesel, often known as farm diesel or diesel for agricultural purposes, is diesel that is not subject to on-road fuel taxes. Diesel fuel used for agricultural purposes is tax-free. Taxes can be avoided if diesel is burned on a farm and can be tracked. In Oregon, farms are able to obtain clear diesel without paying any road fees. It is frequently coloured red to indicate that it is tax-free. Some farms may track their use of clear diesel so they can submit for Federal road taxes for off-road usage in Oregon, where P.U.C. for trucks over 26,000 GVW pay a weight mile tax instead of a per gallon state road tax.
What color is dyed diesel?
Every gallon of fuel sold in the United States contains some color. Diesel for on-road use usually has a slight green hue. This is a dye that is mixed into the fuel by either the refiner or the terminal supplier. Off-road diesels are coloured red to indicate that the fuel is tax-free and intended only for off-road use.
Why is diesel dyed?
Diesel is coloured to indicate whether or not it has paid road tax. In the United States, on-road diesel usually has a faint green hue. Off-road diesel is dyed red to indicate that it has not paid the required road taxes in all states and by the federal government.
What is off-road diesel?
Off-road diesel is diesel fuel that has been dyed red to indicate that it is tax-free and only available for off-road fuel uses such as construction fueling, equipment that is never used on a public road, agricultural use, heating oil, boiler fuel, and other non-taxed diesel fuel uses as defined by state and federal fuel tax laws. Some off-road users in Oregon can use the Oregon state tax exemption to buy on-road fuel if they have the correct papers.
Is dyed or off-road diesel flammable?
The National Fire Code classifies off-road diesel as a Class II combustible liquid. A flammable fuel has a flash point below 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The flash point of diesel ranges between 126 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit (typically assumed to be about 160 degrees F). As a result, it’s classified as a Class II combustible.
Is off-road diesel or dyed diesel high sulfur diesel?
Dyed diesel (also known as off-road diesel) contains a lot of sulfur. Diesel fuel having a sulfur level of more than 500 parts per million is known as high sulfur diesel.
Is off-road diesel or dyed diesel ultra-low sulfur diesel?
Off-road and colored diesel fuels may have ultra-low sulfur, however this is not always the case. In the United States, there has been a persistent campaign to reduce sulfur in all fuels, led by EPA regulation. Off-road construction and agricultural equipment have been required by EPA rules in recent years to have an emissions system that allows ultra-low sulfur to function without serious difficulties. As a result, today’s off-road diesel is ultra-low sulfur. If you have a tank with old dyed red diesel fuel in it, you can infer it has a sulfur concentration that is higher than ultra-low.
What is dyed ULSD fuel?
Dyed ULSD fuel is ultra-low sulfur diesel that has been dyed red to indicate that it is only intended for off-road or untaxed use. Heating oil, construction fuel, agricultural fuel, generator fuel, and other off-road uses are common uses for this type of fuel. The abbreviation “ULSD” stands for ultra-low sulfur diesel.
Is dyed diesel #1 or # 2 diesel?
Diesel that has been dyed can be either #1 or #2 diesel. Both fuels must include a red dye to prove that they are untaxed and cannot be utilized as on-road fuels.
Why does the government require diesel be dyed red?
“For two reasons, the federal government demands dyeing of untaxed diesel fuel and kerosene. To aid in the reduction of tax fraud by recognizing fuel that hasn’t paid excise taxes and to aid in the reduction of air pollution by identifying fuel that isn’t acceptable for use in highway vehicles.”
Is dyed diesel and off-road diesel kerosene?
Kerosene (which crosses as #1 diesel fuel) can be found in dyed diesel and off-road diesel, but it is not always the case. Do not mistake a dyed fuel for kerosene, which is a more uncommon fuel. Kerosene differs from #1 diesel in one way: it has been proven that it may be absorbed and taken up by a wick. All kerosene is classified as #1 diesel. Kerosene isn’t found in all #1 diesel fuels. Diesels that have been colored and off-road fuels are in the same boat. All coloured kerosene and off-road diesel are dyed. Kerosene isn’t the only coloured fuel.
Is dyed diesel and off-road diesel stove oil?
Stove oil is coloured diesel and off-road diesel. Similar to diesel, it’s usually a #1 or #2 stove oil. Stove oils, as opposed to diesel, had a slightly distinct set of specification problems in the past, which is why they were named “stove oils.” It was less precise when petroleum refineries distilled crude oils to make diesel range fuels than it is now with hydrocracking technology. The number of distillate range fuel requirements is significantly more concentrated today, thanks to both oil refinery technologies and EPA emission standards, in order to assure compliance with EPA and state rules. If your heating appliance requires stove oil, it will most likely require #1 stove oil or #1 kerosene. This product is supposed to produce less soot, making it better suited for use in a pot stove. Monitor and Toyostove thermostatically controlled direct vent heaters are the most current stove oil appliances in the United States.
Is off-road diesel bad for my truck?
It depends on the year of your truck, and we’re assuming you’re talking about red diesel fuel. To begin, it is illegal to use dyed diesel, off-road diesel, or heating oil in an on-road vehicle. If you are found in Oregon, you might face a punishment of up to $10,000, and the state is very aggressive in pursuing tax evasion. Beyond the usage of off-road fuel, which is legal. On the west coast, coloured diesel is often ultra low sulfur fuel. This means that if it’s burned in your engine, it won’t cause any problems. It may be high sulfur or low sulfur fuel, depending on the age of the colored fuel or whether it is genuinely a heating oil. If you use that fuel in a post-2007 engine with a particle trap, you’ll have major maintenance problems.
Is dyed diesel or off-road diesel heating oil?
Yes, colored diesel and off-road fuel can be used to heat your home. These days, most dyed diesel and off-road diesel is ultra-low sulfur diesel. According to the EPA and most state rules, heating oil can have a low or high sulfur concentration. So, while heating oil cannot always be colored diesel (when used for off-road machinery or agricultural purposes), dyed/off-road diesel can always be used for heating oil and meet the requirements of heating oil furnaces.
Does off-road diesel freeze?
At low temperatures, off-road diesel gels. Wax crystals form and fall out of the diesel at lower temperatures, clogging filters and gelling the fuel. Water and naturally held-in diesel will also ice up, clogging filters. Diesel gelling is the term for this phenomena.
Does off-road diesel gel in cold weather?
If it gets cold enough, all diesel fuels will gel. Wax crystals and ice accumulating in your fuel will clog filters and cause your equipment to shut down. As a rule of thumb, if you don’t treat your diesel fuel, it should work OK above 20 degrees F. If the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, make sure your vendor treats the fuel for winter use so it can operate at -20 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re going to be operating in temps below that, check with your vendor to see if they’ve tested the fuel to work in temperatures below -20 degrees F.
Does off-road diesel go bad?
Off-road and dyed diesel might deteriorate with time. All ASTM-compliant diesel fuels should be safe to store for up to a year without extra treatment or testing. If you’re storing diesel for a long time, it’s a good idea to treat it with a biocide and an oxidative stabilizer to guarantee that it stays within specifications and that nothing grows in your fuel tank. Water and dirt entering the fuel through a tank vent is the worst opponent of long-term diesel storage. A tank will breathe when the temperature changes, bringing in air and moisture from the outside. Keeping your gasoline within specification means making sure there’s no water in the tank and that no outside impurities can get in.
How long can I store off-road or dyed diesel in a fuel tank?
Diesel fuel has a one-year shelf life if left untreated. You can anticipate diesel to last two to three years if it is treated with a biocide to prevent biological development in the tank. When diesel is sampled after two to three years, it loses its brightness and begins to exhibit signs of age. After three years, you’ll want to sample and test the fuel to make sure it’s up to code and safe to use.
What is the difference between off-road diesel and on-road diesel?
The significant difference between the two fuels is the amount of gasoline taxes levied. To indicate that it is both ultra-low sulfur diesel and that the on-road fuel taxes associated with using it to power a highway vehicle have been paid, all on-road diesel is transparent or greenish in color. Fuel that has been dyed has not been taxed and cannot be used to power a vehicle on a public road.
Do you pay sales tax on dyed diesel or off-road diesel in Washington state?
Yes. The sales tax is assessed if you consume colored diesel and do not pay the on-road fuel taxes in Washington state. The sales tax is not paid if you use clear fuel with road taxes connected to it. The Washington Department of Revenue has more information about Washington gasoline taxes.
What are the taxes on dyed diesel or off-road diesel in Oregon state?
Your gasoline distributor pays a modest tax (less than $.01) on the fuel they purchase at the wholesale terminal. The US EPA Superfund cleanup and the “LUST” (Leaking Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund) are two of the taxes. Aside from that, there are no taxes on off-road diesel fuel in Oregon (federal, state, or local municipality).
Is there a way to buy clear diesel without a road tax on it?
In Oregon, you can purchase clear fuel that is exempt from state road charges. The following are the requirements for using clear diesel in Oregon without paying state taxes:
- cars with a legal Oregon “E” plate and registered to a US government agency, an Oregon state agency, or an Oregon county or city
- Vehicles or farm tractors/equipment that are only used on the roadway inadvertently, as specified in ORS 319.520
- Unlicensed vehicles or equipment that are utilized exclusively on privately owned property
What happens if I use dyed diesel in an on-road vehicle?
If you are caught in Oregon, you might be fined $10,000 each day. We’ve seen fuel tax evaders nabbed before, so be advised that Oregon is looking for any amount of dye in an on-road vehicle’s saddle tank. You will have maintenance concerns with your vehicle’s emission system if you use low sulfur or high sulfur fuel and your vehicle has a particulate trap.
Can you use dyed diesel in a diesel pickup truck?
Only if the pickup is solely for off-roading. If you plan to utilize that truck on a public road (even to cross a street) and colored fuel is discovered in it, state regulators can (and do) levy fines of up to $10,000 per occurrence. You can use off-road diesel as the vehicle’s fuel if you have a closed facility or a large farm and are not registering the vehicle for on-road use (thus the pickup must not leave the site). Any regulator observing dyed fuel in your vehicle will assume it’s an on-road pickup if you have license plates and it’s approved for on-road use.
How does the government test if someone used dyed diesel?
Typically, regulators may take a sample from the tank or spin the gasoline filter to look for obvious dyed fuel when checking for illegal usage of dyed fuel. If the fuel is clear (or even slightly pink) and they suspect dyed fuel was used in the car, they can use a special black light to show that dyed fuel was in touch with the vehicle. They’ll beam the light on the gasoline filter, the fuel tanks, and other portions of the engine compartment that may have come into contact with the fuel. They will cite the vehicle operator if they detect even a minor trace of the red-dye used in off-road fuel in specific regions. On the internet, there are kits for filtering dye out of gasoline to eliminate the color. Those kits won’t be able to remove enough dye to keep these lights from detecting it.
Why is off road diesel illegal for pick up trucks to use?
Off-road diesel is painted red to indicate that on-road fuel taxes have not been paid or that the fuel is tax-free. Fuel taxes for on-road fuel usage are levied by the federal government and state governments to help pay for the roads we all use. Fuel taxes are deductible if you use diesel for non-road equipment, machinery, or heating/boiler uses, and the fuel is coloured to make its tax-free status obvious. In a roadside or site level inspection, regulators can also shine a black light on certain parts of a vehicle’s system to see if colored gasoline is being used illegally.
What is the difference between dyed diesel and heating oil?
What’s going on in the Pacific Northwest right now? Typically, nothing. Diesel-colored heating oil is used. To reduce the overall cost of the fuel, most petroleum distributors sell the mainstream colored diesel grade for use as heating oil. Heating oil and dyed diesel have varied ASTM requirements depending on where you acquire it. Because furnaces and boilers can manage dirtier, lower-quality fuels than off-road equipment with a particle trap, heating oil specifications have larger tolerances than diesel criteria. Although heating oil is always a diesel fuel, dyed diesel for off-road machinery may have a distinct specification. In Oregon, for example, any dyed diesel fuel used in off-road equipment must include at least 5% biodiesel or renewable diesel. Heating oil and boilers are excluded from the biofuel mandate. Heating oil, on the other hand, can be free of biodiesel, while off-road diesel for machinery cannot.
Can refrigerated trailers or “reefers use dyed diesel even if they are attached to a truck moving it on the highway?
Refrigerated trailers are, in fact, off-road vehicles. Because its engine is not pushing something along the road, the diesel-fueled refrigeration trailer is considered off-road equipment. Any ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel can be used in these trailers (dyed or clear). If you use on-road clear fuel in a refrigerated trailer and keep track and verification of the on-road fuel used in the off-road piece of equipment, you can get your fuel taxes returned. However, proof is required, so speak with your CPA or accountant.
