Red Dyed Diesel

jdecaro · 2025-09-22T13:52:06-0400

Here in CA: I have been using untaxed Red dyed fuel in my Kubota since 2018 with no issues.
It's the taxed diesel I had problems with: In 2018 our local 76 station got a bad batch of diesel; it had dirty water mixed in with it. I still have some in a Gatorade bottle; when it sits for a while it separates and you can see that it's almost 50% dirty water. Been using Red Diesel ever since.

MaxLee · 2025-09-22T13:56:21-0400

ignitzme said:
Hello,
I would like to know if Red dyed diesel will cause any engine or fuel line troubles. I purchased the 2023 Branson 2515H new and have been using clear On road(taxable) diesel from the start. I have recently been approved for a Red dyed diesel permit here in Texas. Off road use only. I have been running the clear On road diesel since the purchase in 2023. I was told by the supplier that it wouldn't harm anything but just wanted to post and see anyone's opinion on this. Thank you. Jim
Over 500 hours and running great-

All I use is Red dyed , its actually same fuel I use for my oil furnace. Been doing it for 15 years , 1st had 1100 hours and now this one has 400. Never any issues at all

mjonesnh · 2025-09-22T14:06:25-0400

Used to buy red fuel several years ago. Only one place would sell it without a card, owner pumped the fuel in your cans, rest of places with off road had card readers and would bill you monthly. Red diesel was 25¢/gallon cheaper than his road fuel. Got to noticing that local stores had road diesel for 10¢ more per gallon than his red fuel. Just started getting my diesel at the local BP store that was less than 2 miles from house vs. 7 miles for the off road fuel. Only purchase 20-30 gallon per year in 5 gallon jugs so savings was minimal

lman · 2025-09-22T14:14:16-0400

I get red diesel at a local station and I don't think they could care less what the diesel goes into or who you are. Nothing needed here except a container.

workinonit · 2025-09-22T14:18:05-0400

lman said:
I get red diesel at a local station and I don't think they could care less what the diesel goes into or who you are. Nothing needed here except a container.

Suppliers don't police it. In SC the transport police are the ones that check for untaxed fuel in road vehicles. And believe me, they care.

jdecaro · 2025-09-22T14:26:43-0400

WM75Guy said:
You have to apply for a Texas Dyed Fuel End User Registration Number. You cannot purchase dyed fuel unless you give the number to the place you buy the fuel. They have to keep track and report to the state who buys dyed fuel and how much. I buy several hundreds of gallons of fuel every year for my tractors, mower, and UTV. It wasn't worth the hassle for me, plus I don't need the state in my business any more than absolutely is necessary.

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In CA you don't have to do that, but, if you get caught with red diesel in a registered road vehicle driving on the road it's big trouble, big fines.... Occasionally I hear about 18-wheelers getting caught driving into the state with red diesel (Friends are cops).

lman · 2025-09-22T14:27:30-0400

workinonit said:
Suppliers don't police it. In SC the transport police are the ones that check for untaxed fuel in road vehicles. And believe me, they care.

How many times have you been checked? I've never heard of anybody being checked here. I don't put many miles on my diesel truck so I see no reason to use red diesel in my truck tank.

Highgear · 2025-09-22T14:27:55-0400

Make your red fuel even redder by adding 1 pint of ATF to 5 gal. of fuel ! Your motor will love you for it !!!

workinonit · 2025-09-22T14:41:08-0400

I've never been checked. But I bought my Ram a year ago. Prior to that it's been years since I owned a diesel road vehicle. I think they check truckers a good bit. I'm sure everytime they stop one and put him on the scales.

dkmc · 2025-09-22T15:13:38-0400

All the people caught with it in on road tanks will tell you it was fun while it lasted. But now it stings a bit.
Back when it was .55 cheaper in PA than NYS it was easy to run over the boarder and get several cans of
it. People would then put it in the on road tanks in a secret location, never pump it in -at the pumps- for
cameras to see. Saving could add up over time. Not sure they ever would check a car tank. Not sure anyone
would know the car wasn't gas.

Some years back, a local excavator company got 'caught' with red in the dump trucks. Turns out a disgruntled
former employee dumped ATF in the tanks! DOT swooped in, wrote tickets (I heard $15,ooo in fines). Owner
sent samples to a lab, confirmed it was ATF mixed in. Judge let him off but still a lot of hassle.