S15 (ULSD), S500 (LSD) and S5000 diesel fuel

Since several other threads regarding the coming changes to diesel fuel have gone somewhat astray and off topic, I have decided to start this thread to provide up to date info regarding the changeover.

There seem to be plenty of rumors and mis-information out there regarding what is what and when everything is going to happen. Here is what I have found to date: <ul type="square"> [*]There will be 3 types of diesel available in most of the USA (except CA) for the next couple of years. They are S15 or ULSD, S500 or LSD, and S5000 or HSD sometimes referred to as marine and locomotive diesel.

[*]All on-road diesel will be S15 by mid October 2006. This comprises 80% of all domestic and imported fuel. You could see it at the pumps as early as mid-June 2006.

[*]S500 will still be available until the end of 2009 for off-road use although it may be difficult to find in most areas of the country since it will be a relatively small portion of the total diesel output by the refineries.

[*]S5000 or high sulphur (HSD) will be available to marine and locomotive distributors in lesser quantities by smaller refiners (ie. custom botique refiners) until 2009. HSD will no longer be available to retailers for off-road vehicle sales after October 1, 2006 and may not even be used in vehicles after December 1, 2006.

[*]All diesel pumps must be marked with stickers indicating what is being pumped (S15, S500, S5000)

[*]Only S15 will be available in California after September 1, 2006 and after January 1, 2007 for locomotive and marine applications. Consequently, the EPA has said that pumps do NOT have to be labeled in California.

[*]Canadian usage of S15 is even stricter than in the USA.

[*]Diesel engines in on-road vehicles (cars/trucks/buses) made for the 2007 model year and thereafter, must only use S15 (ULSD). 2006 model year engines can use S15 or S500.

[*] In some instances, the introduction of S15 (ULSD) fuel to older vehicles may affect fuel system components or loosen deposits in fuel tanks.

[*]The new standards provide strong incentives for suppliers to provide the proper ULSD fuel formulation. Civil penalties of up to $32,500 per violation per day can be assessed for non-compliance with EPA’s ULSD fuel standards, or for misrepresentation of the sulfur level of diesel fuel. [/list] There are several web sites that have current info regarding the new diesel fuel regulations. Most of the above information came from HERE and HERE .

Since several other threads regarding the coming changes to diesel fuel have gone somewhat astray and off topic, I have decided to start this thread to provide up to date info regarding the changeover.

There seem to be plenty of rumors and mis-information out there regarding what is what and when everything is going to happen. Here is what I have found to date: <ul type="square"> [*]There will be 3 types of diesel available in most of the USA (except CA) for the next couple of years. They are S15 or ULSD, S500 or LSD, and S5000 or HSD sometimes referred to as marine and locomotive diesel.

[*]All on-road diesel will be S15 by mid October 2006. This comprises 80% of all domestic and imported fuel. You could see it at the pumps as early as mid-June 2006.

[*]S500 will still be available until the end of 2009 for off-road use although it may be difficult to find in most areas of the country since it will be a relatively small portion of the total diesel output by the refineries.

[*]S5000 or high sulphur (HSD) will be available to marine and locomotive distributors in lesser quantities by smaller refiners (ie. custom botique refiners) until 2009. HSD will no longer be available to retailers for off-road vehicle sales after October 1, 2006 and may not even be used in vehicles after December 1, 2006.

[*]All diesel pumps must be marked with stickers indicating what is being pumped (S15, S500, S5000)

[*]Only S15 will be available in California after September 1, 2006 and after January 1, 2007 for locomotive and marine applications. Consequently, the EPA has said that pumps do NOT have to be labeled in California.

[*]Canadian usage of S15 is even stricter than in the USA.

[*]Diesel engines in on-road vehicles (cars/trucks/buses) made for the 2007 model year and thereafter, must only use S15 (ULSD). 2006 model year engines can use S15 or S500.

[*] In some instances, the introduction of S15 (ULSD) fuel to older vehicles may affect fuel system components or loosen deposits in fuel tanks.

[*]The new standards provide strong incentives for suppliers to provide the proper ULSD fuel formulation. Civil penalties of up to $32,500 per violation per day can be assessed for non-compliance with EPA’s ULSD fuel standards, or for misrepresentation of the sulfur level of diesel fuel. [/list] There are several web sites that have current info regarding the new diesel fuel regulations. Most of the above information came from HERE and HERE .

Some of the different Petroleum Administrative Defense Districts (PADD) have different implementation timelines due to their lack of refining capabilities, lack of pipelines, and distance from petrochemical industrial sites, especially Alaska and Hawaii and I believe some of the Rocky Mountain States.

But you are 100% correct. the noxious off-road diesel fuel soon will be the same quality as the on road fuel is now, and it will become more difficult and expensive to get since it will contaminate everything it comes in contact with way above ULSD requirements! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Some of the different Petroleum Administrative Defense Districts (PADD) have different implementation timelines due to their lack of refining capabilities, lack of pipelines, and distance from petrochemical industrial sites, especially Alaska and Hawaii and I believe some of the Rocky Mountain States.

But you are 100% correct. the noxious off-road diesel fuel soon will be the same quality as the on road fuel is now, and it will become more difficult and expensive to get since it will contaminate everything it comes in contact with way above ULSD requirements! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The transition to Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel started in the United States on June 1, 2006.



(Washington, DC – June 1, 2006) Starting today, EPA will require refiners and fuel importers to cut the sulfur content of highway diesel fuel 97 percent, from 500 parts per million to 15. The rules are issued in line with the Bush Administration's promotion of renewable energy sources and cleaner fuels, such as Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD).

As of 6/1/2006, 80% of all diesel fuel produced by refineries or imported for use in on-road vehicles must contain no more than 15 ppm sulfur. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The transition to Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel started in the United States on June 1, 2006.



(Washington, DC – June 1, 2006) Starting today, EPA will require refiners and fuel importers to cut the sulfur content of highway diesel fuel 97 percent, from 500 parts per million to 15. The rules are issued in line with the Bush Administration's promotion of renewable energy sources and cleaner fuels, such as Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD).

As of 6/1/2006, 80% of all diesel fuel produced by refineries or imported for use in on-road vehicles must contain no more than 15 ppm sulfur. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The American Petroleum Institute will be producing three kinds of diesel fuel labels for all diesel fuel pumps in North America, and soon there will only be two:


All Diesel Fuel Pumps must be labeled by June 1, 2006.


ULSD (All On- Road)



LSD (soon to be classified as Off-Road Red Dye added at terminal)



HSD (soon to be phased out completely)

The American Petroleum Institute will be producing three kinds of diesel fuel labels for all diesel fuel pumps in North America, and soon there will only be two:


All Diesel Fuel Pumps must be labeled by June 1, 2006.


ULSD (All On- Road)



LSD (soon to be classified as Off-Road Red Dye added at terminal)



HSD (soon to be phased out completely)

Unless you live in California. CA has received an exemption from labeling pumps because by state law all diesel fuel, whether it be on-road, off-road, marine, locomotive, dyed, or un-dyed has to be ULSD.

Unless you live in California. CA has received an exemption from labeling pumps because by state law all diesel fuel, whether it be on-road, off-road, marine, locomotive, dyed, or un-dyed has to be ULSD.