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dronus
X-TRAIL LEGEND
Date Registered: 08-2008
Location: Adelaide
TOTAL POSTS: 541
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Diesel Grades
Howdy all,
I've been taking a keen interest in the types of diesel that the Servo's here in Adelaide have on offer, and thought i'd share my findings, and encourage feedback on the different types.
It would seem that different Service stations have different types of diesel from time to time.
The obvious difference is the sulfur content, the not so obvious is the wax content (it varies seasonally).
Shell only has one type of Diesel called "low sulfur". It has 50ppm Sulfur.
BP has quite a few types of Diesel:
Low Sulfur Diesel which has 10ppm sulfur
BP "normal" Diesel which has 50ppm sulfur
BP "Winter" diesel which has an adjusted wax content in winter
BP "Ultimate" Diesel which has a higher cetane rating, added detergents and anti-foaming agents.
Mobil has "Synergy" but no info on its sulfur as yet, and i haven't used it yet.
Caltex has an interesting range:
"Standard Diesel" 1300ppm sulfur, cetane rating of 50
"Low Sulfur" has 500ppm Sulfur, cetane rating of 46
"Ultra low Sulfur" has 50ppm Sulfur, cetane rating of 46
"New generation Diesel" which has 2% Biodiesel
"Vortex Premium Diesel" Which seems to have some anti-foam and detergents added.
SAFF (Enffue).
Biodiesel which has a cetane rating of 50+ and good for the dolphins.
Premium Biodiesel which is ultra low sulpur diesel (10ppm) with 20% biodiesel added
United don't seem to have diesel (that i could see here in Adelaide anyway)
I mainly use BP Diesel and the same servo seems to change between G10 and G50 every couple of weeks.
The following is an explaination taken from the BP site about Sulpur which i found interesting.
# What are the environmental advantages of lowering the sulphur content in Diesel fuel?
Sulphur content in fuel is linked to the emissions of pollutants from your engine into the atmosphere including carbon monoxides, unburnt hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide and black sooty smoke emissions. BP Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel has a low sulphur content of 10 parts per million (ppm) which when compared to an equivalent 50ppm diesel fuel has 80% less sulphur which can deliver:
9% less carbon monoxide
7% less unburnt hydrocarbons
1.5% less nitrogen oxides and
.4% less carbon dioxides and
Up to 6% less sooty exhaust fumes into the atmosphere.
Technical Issues and performance
How does using BP Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (10ppm) affect my engine?
BP Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (10ppm) has a low sulphur content that can result in decreased wear and tear on your vehicle’s pistons and cylinders, which can extend the lubricant life of your engine and can potentially reduce maintenance costs over time compared to an equivalent 50ppm Diesel fuel.
Will there be any effect on engine components?
Fuel consumption:Testing shows that you will not compromise your fuel economy when using BP Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (10ppm) when compared with an equivalent 50ppm Diesel fuel. LubricityIn the process of decreasing sulphur from diesel, the levels of natural lubricants are also reduced. BP Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (10ppm) lubricity is controlled by the addition of a lubricity additive, and the impact on the injector and fuel system will be unchanged. The lubricity of diesel will be constantly monitored by laboratory tests to ensure that each batch of BP Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (10ppm) meets Euro standards specification.
Can BP Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (10ppm) be mixed with other Diesel grades?
BP Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (10ppm) can be mixed with other Diesel fuel grades in tanks or when refuelling with no effects on power or fuel economy.
Is this suitable for all diesel engines?
Yes. BP Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (10ppm) is suitable for all diesel engines including high speed industrial engines and high performance diesel vehicles.
Food for thought.
Last edited by dronus, 10/Dec/2008, 8:24 am
--- Current - GU Patrol
Old - '08 T31 Platinum TL Diesel Manual - Bells and whistles.
Older - '04 T30 Ti-L Auto
X-966
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10/Dec/2008, 7:25 am
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ChrisJH
X-TRAIL NEWBIE
Date Registered: 07-2008
Location: Victoria Park, WA, AU
TOTAL POSTS: 92
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Re: Diesel Grades
Awesome report Dronus
What is the best one to use for Fuel Economy/Power? As much as I love the environment, engine wear/ fuel economy and power is the most important to me.
I use BP Ultimate Diesel in mine, but don't notice any better fuel economy, although it 'may' give slightly more power..... probably not worth the extra price, but the BP station is the closed to me, and they only have ultimate diesel, none of the others....
Cheers,
Chris.
--- Chris (X-918)
2008 TL Manual Precision Grey
Nudge Bar, Roof Bars, Tow Bar, Parking Sensors, Cargo Tray, Rubber Mats, Tint, Paint Protection, Rust Protection, Leather Protection, and a scratch from some w**ker in the IKEA car park..
:(:(
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11/Dec/2008, 12:46 pm
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dronus
X-TRAIL LEGEND
Date Registered: 08-2008
Location: Adelaide
TOTAL POSTS: 541
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Re: Diesel Grades
Howdy Chris,
I found the best to be the G50 diesel from BP, although i think its a psychological thing when you know you are running G10 as they have the same cetane rating. They seem much of a much. We don't have the BP Ultimate here in SA yet so you are lucky!
I ran half a tank of standard Caltex diesel when i was empty, it was horrible. I'm not sure if it was definitely related but you could notice the "sweet" smell from the exhaust with that fuel. My friend has a new SR5 which also used to make that smell, until i suggested he change to BP and now its gone.
I haven't personally tried the bio-diesel or blended fuels in this car as Nissan told me it would void my warranty if something went wrong. Not sure if that would hold up in court or not but im not taking that risk at the moment!
My friend used the Enffue bio-diesel in his Toyota landcruiser and he said it went fine, and it actually quietened the rattle down quite a bit, and was cheaper.
I tried the Mobil Diesel and it didnt seem to make much difference performance wise to the caltex, but it smelt more then the BP when refuelling which put me off a bit. One guy here at work carries a box of latex gloves and puts one on when he refuells - he also wears pink shirts so i'm not sure which way to take that!
I spoke with the owner of the BP where i fill up (its the cheapest, and on my way home) and he told me all about how they get different types of fuel and how diesel is becoming more popular so they put in extra pumps, as well as "high flow pumps". He also mentioned that BP is shifting to G10 where they can.
The BP Ultimate would be the pick of the bunch, and you are lucky enough to have access to it! the anti-foaming and detergents would keep your engine nice and clean.
So to answer your question - i dont know! I think its subjective and can be muddled by driving habits when you think you have a better or worse fuel. I dont have any hard data on fuel usage as yet, but I've filled up with G10 last monday so ill post back in the Diesel Fuel Economy thread after doing a few tanks.
Cheers,
--- Current - GU Patrol
Old - '08 T31 Platinum TL Diesel Manual - Bells and whistles.
Older - '04 T30 Ti-L Auto
X-966
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11/Dec/2008, 1:07 pm
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