INTRODUCTION

Diesel fuel comes in several different grades, depending upon its intended use. Like gasoline, diesel fuel
is not a single substance, but a mixture of various petroleum-derived components, including paraffins,
isoparaffins, napthenes, olefins and aromatic hydrocarbons, each with their own physical and chemical
properties. Diesel fuel must satisfy a wide range of engine types, differing operating conditions and duty
cycles, as well as variations in fuel system technology, engine temperatures and fuel system pressures. It
must also be suitable for a variety of climates. The properties of each grade of diesel fuel must be
balanced to provide satisfactory performance over an extremely wide range of circumstances. In some
respects, the prevailing quality standards represent certain compromises so that all the performance
requirements may be satisfied. By controlling specifications and properties, it is possible to satisfy the
requirements of millions of compression ignition engines with a single grade of diesel fuel. The most
commonly used guidelines for diesel fuel quality are established by ASTM International. ASTM
specifications are established by consensus, based on the broad experience and close cooperation of
producers of diesel fuels, manufacturers of diesel engines and fuel systems (and users of both), as well
as other interested partners such as state fuel quality regulators. Often ASTM turns to organizations
such as SAE International and the Coordinating Research Council to produce reliable technical data to
aid in the development of fuel specifications. ASTM standards are continuously reviewed and updated
when the need arises. ASTM standards are viewed as voluntary compliance standards, although Federal
and State regulations often require diesel fuels to meet all, or a portion of, ASTM specifications.

The ASTM standard for diesel fuels is “ASTM D 975 – Standard Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils.” This
standard currently covers seven grades of diesel fuel oils. These grades include numbers 1-D (S15), 1-D
(S500), 1-D (S5000), 2-D (S15), 2-D (S500), 2-D (S5000) and 4-D. The grades are listed in order of
increasing density and viscosity. In other words, a 2-D grade is denser and of higher viscosity than grade
1-D. The parenthetic numbers such as (S15) refer to the maximum sulfur level for the grade. Thus 2-D
(S15) refers to No. 2 diesel with a maximum of 15 parts per million (ppm) sulfur. Grades designated S500
are low sulfur diesel (maximum 500 ppm sulfur), while S15 designates ultra-low sulfur diesel. The S5000
grades, as well as No. 4-D, are for off-road use only. (Note that off-road grades or on-road grades sold
for off-road use are required to contain a red dye so that they can be easily identified for taxation
purposes.) Although all of these grades are technically diesel fuel oils, in the U.S. when the word diesel
fuel is used, it is primarily in reference to No. 2-D grades, since that is the grade generally used in all on
road vehicles as well as the majority of off-road applications. Grade No. 2-D is also the focus of this
manual.

In addition to the property limits in ASTM D 975, numerous test methods are encompassed in the
specification to accurately measure the specified properties. While the ASTM standards ensure
acceptable fuel quality, some petroleum companies and pipeline operators may require more stringent
standards. In addition, SAE International Surface Vehicle Standard J 313 – Diesel Fuels, provides diesel
fuel quality guidelines and the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) also stipulates certain fuel
quality parameters. Other countries may rely on ASTM D 975 while some, such as European countries
and Japan, have their own standards which may vary slightly from the ASTM property limits.
The aforementioned standards focus primarily on standards related to engine performance. There are
also federal, and in some cases state, specifications that focus on the environmental impact of diesel
fuel. While compliance with these specifications is required, diesel fuel should still meet the standards
established by ASTM.