Which Diesel fuel is OK for a Sprinter Van
Filling up your Sprinter in California can be super confusing. Which fuel is ok. Will I ruin my Sprinter Van. What’s going on!?!
Here’s a quick run down of how you can read the fuel types and feel a bit more are ease of driving through California and it’s formulated fuels.
Mercedes Benz has approved up to B20 for the 2023+ 4 cylinder engine.
Mercedes Benz has not approved B20 for the 6 cylinder engine (as of 2024).
For all engines prior to 2023, MB cautions against using B20 on a regular basis, but does not prohibit its use or take the position that any use of B20 will void its warranty. MB does not say you must not use B6-B20 ULSD "unless you can't find anything else." MB's language reads:
" B20 blends are generally not approved and should be only used on a very limited basis and only if unavoidable."
Should and shall have different meanings. Should not is cautionary, not prohibitive.
We interpret "limited basis" to mean not on a regular basis or in every tank. We interpret "only if unavoidable" as meaning that ULSD with a blend of B5 or less is not sold in the area, or not at that particular fuel stop when one is in need of fuel. We do not interpret that language as requiring anyone to drive around in a fruitless or needlessly inconvenient search for B5.
There are now large areas in California where B5 is not available, whether by government regulation or otherwise, and Mercedes Benz cannot use such government environmental/economic incentives and regulations as a shield to avoid warranty claims.
Note that there is nothing different in the emissions systems or fuel delivery systems in the 2023+ 4 cylinder diesel motors from prior years or from the V-6 engine that would result in B20 being okay in the former but not in the latter. We simply don't expect MB to update or revise its cautionary position on B20 for those earlier motors.
As for designations of diesel fuel:
All highway diesel in the U.S. and Canada is ULSD (Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel). Much of Mexico is this way too now. But not everywhere.
All highway ULSD can be broken down into #2 or #1 (aka "winter" diesel with a lower gel point).
Unless the pump specifies #1 or "winter diesel," all highway diesel is #2 regardless of whether it is B5, B20, renewable, etc.,and regardless of whether there is a #2 label on the pump.
B5 ULSD is acceptable for regular use in any MB diesel motor.
B6-B20 ULSD is now formally accepted by MB for the 2023+ 4 cylinder diesel motor
For all other MB diesel motors, B6-B20 ULSD is accepted by MB for "limited use," which means that MB cannot deny a warranty claim based on its use UNLESS MB can prove that the fuel was the actual cause of an engine or emissions systems failure. The burden on proof is on MB, not the consumer to prove a negative.
ULSD can be broken down as follows:
1. Petro ULSD #2 (or #1) with no bio-diesel content (nearly extinct like the dinosaur but not forgotten)
2. Petro ULSD #2 (or #1) with a bio-diesel blend (B5, B20, etc.)
3. Bio-diesel (not to be used in any MB diesel motor with emissions equipment and particularly not home-brewed "cooking oil" or "french fry" diesel)
4. Renewable ULSD #2 (or #1), designated R95 or R99, which is not bio-diesel at all, and functionally identical to petro ULSD, meeting the same ASTM D975 standard as petro ULSD. R99 has minimal bio-diesel content. R95 has up to 5% bio-diesel content.
Feel free to use #1, #2 or #4, but not #3 bio-diesel.”
From Chevron:
What is Renewable Diesel?
Renewable diesel is a renewable fuel that can be used in conventional diesel engines as an alternative to petroleum diesel. It is primarily made from non-petroleum renewable sources such as soybean oil, used cooking oil, tallow and other plant- and animal based oils, with a maximum of 0.1% of its composition deriving from conventional petroleum diesel. Renewable diesel is processed in a refinery, similarly to conventional diesel and meets the same standard ASTM D975 specification. Renewable diesel is 100% comparable to conventional Diesel No. 2 and is often referred to as “Biomass-based” diesel. The orange, regulatory decal indicates the percentage of renewable diesel that the fuel contains.
*ASTM International, is an international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services including Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants.
Is Chevron Renewable Diesel safe for my vehicle?
Yes, Chevron Renewable Diesel meets the same ASTM D975 specification as Diesel No. 2. I am at a dispenser that identifies the fuel as Diesel No. 2 and only has an orange label that says it contains a certain percentage of biomass-based diesel. What does this mean?
Since Renewable diesel meets ASTM D975 specification, it is Diesel No. 2. Renewable diesel is often referred to as “Biomass-based”diesel because of the renewable sources it is made from. The orange decal indicates that the fuel contains a percentage of renewable diesel which is typically 95% or 99%. Despite how the federally required language on the bottom of the decal may read, this fuel does NOT contain 95% or 99% biodiesel..
Source: https://www.chevronwithtechron.com/en_us/home/renewable-diesel/renewable-diesel-faqs.html
Diesel HPR
And a new one we recently found was Diesel HPR from a Propel station.
Diesel HPR stands for High Performance Renewable, it is a renewable diesel fuel that can be used in place of conventional diesel in most modern vehicles. Propel Fuels sells Diesel HPR in California and Washington state, which is made from components imported from Vietnam and Australia and refined in Singapore. So unfortunately it’s imported.
But, what is it!?!
Here are some of the benefits of Diesel HPR:
Cetane rating
Here’s the biggest benefit we’ve found. Diesel HPR has a cetane rating of up to 75+, which is 40% higher than regular diesel. This results in smoother combustion and better ride quality.
What is Cetane? Read our post on Cetane.
TL;DR - the higher the number the better. It’s simply the quicker it ignites. It really helps increased fuel economy to fewer emissions to better power output, fast combustion is key to a diesel engine’s performance. Typically, regular #2 diesel has a cetane number of 40 to 42. So at 75+ it’s nearly double!!!!
Emissions reduction
Diesel HPR supposedly reduces harmful air emissions by up to 14% for NOx, 34% for particulates, and up to 80% for greenhouse gas (GHG) lifecycle emissions.
Cold weather performance
Diesel HPR provides uncompromised cold weather performance, unlike biodiesel. Supposedly as good as Diesel #2 but probably not as good as Diesel #1 (winterized diesel)
ASTM D975 specification
www.sprntr.co/blog/what-is-astm-d975-specification-for-diesel-fuel
Diesel HPR meets the ASTM D975 diesel fuel specification (ULSD) for use in all diesel engines.
Read our write up on what is ASTM D975 Specification
