You might not realize it, but modern diesel fuel is wreaking havoc on your vehicle. Over the past two decades, diesel fuel in the US has changed a lot – largely due to government regulations. But while these changes may have been well-intentioned, they have inadvertently introduced new problems for diesel owners, leading to more mechanical problems and costly repair bills. Whether it’s a lack of vital lubricity or insufficient cetane, the fuel our vehicles depend on is slowly killing them from the inside.

The ULSD problem

In 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) brought in Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) regulations to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions, which were a significant contributor to air pollution. ULSD contains 99% less sulfur than regular diesel. And while this move was a victory for environmentalists, it had an unintended consequence that is critical for diesel engines: decreased lubricity.

To achieve such low levels of sulfur, the fuel must go through a process called hydrotreating. But this process also removes a lot of the natural compounds in the fuel that provide lubrication. Regular diesel fuel acts as a natural lubricant for the fuel system and engine, but in the process of removing sulfur, ULSD lost many of its lubricating properties.

Diesel fuel with poor lubricity causes metal components in the fuel system to grind against each other, leading to excessive wear. Over time, this wear can result in decreased fuel efficiency, increased emissions, and ultimately, engine failure. With less lubrication, components that once lasted hundreds of thousands of miles now risk costly repairs or replacements much earlier in their life cycle.

Low cetane, poor combustion

Another significant issue with diesel fuel in the US that many people aren’t aware of is its low cetane rating. This is a measure of a diesel fuel’s combustion quality, indicating how well it ignites under compression. A higher cetane rating means the fuel will combust more completely, leading to smoother engine operation, better fuel efficiency, and lower emissions.

In Europe, diesel fuels must have a cetane rating of at least 51, which aligns with most manufacturer recommendations for optimal engine performance. However, in the majority of the US, diesel fuel is only required to have a minimum cetane rating of 40. Fuel producers have no incentive to increase the cetane rating any higher than this, as it adds to the cost of manufacturing and affects their bottom line. 

This discrepancy between manufacturer recommendations and the actual quality of the fuel can have serious negative consequences for your vehicle. Low cetane-rated fuel leads to incomplete combustion, which results in the formation of carbon deposits in the engine. These deposits accumulate on injectors, pistons, and valves, causing a range of problems including reduced power, poor fuel economy, and increased emissions. 

The hidden costs of poor-quality fuel

The combination of decreased lubricity and low cetane ratings in US diesel fuel creates a perfect storm of problems for diesel vehicles - one that many owners don’t even realize is happening. Diesel engines are renowned for their durability and longevity, but modern diesel fuel now puts them at greater risk of wear, tear, and premature failure than ever before.

The cost of maintaining a diesel vehicle has now increased, as owners must contend with the deleterious effects of the very thing their vehicle needs to function. The additional wear on fuel system components and the need for more frequent DPF regen cycles drive up maintenance costs. And if these problems are left unchecked, diesel owners may need to clean or replace injectors more frequently, repair fuel pumps, and perform more regular DPF maintenance. 

Improve fuel quality, protect your engine

Fortunately, there is a way to mitigate the damage caused by low-quality diesel fuel: using a diesel fuel additive that boosts lubricity, increases the cetane number of your fuel, and cleans the entire fuel system, including the fuel injectors, turbo, and DPF. 

Archoil’s AR6500 is designed to do just that, helping to combat all of the problems caused by poor-quality fuel, with a unique chemistry that increases fuel quality and protects your engine and fuel system. AR6500 can increase the cetane rating of your fuel by up to 8 points, enhance lubricity above manufacturer recommendations to prevent excessive wear and tear, and clean the entire fuel system to keep it free from damaging carbon and soot deposits.

Lubricity wear scar test (ASTM D6079):

Simply add AR6500 to your tank every time you fill up to protect your vehicle and maximize power and performance. It’s a simple solution that is guaranteed to maintain maximum performance and save you money in the long run.

If your diesel vehicle has already racked up miles and performance has declined, use AR6400-D Diesel Fuel System Cleaner first to rapidly remove heavy carbon build-up from the fuel system.

Due to government regulations, diesel fuel in the US is of much worse quality than it used to be, damaging our diesel vehicles from the inside out. Fortunately, with the right fuel additive, these problems can be avoided altogether, giving you peace of mind every time you fill up.