Notice: Use of diesel fuel other than Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (15 ppm sulfur maximum) or engine oil other than low ash CJ-4 oil will cause permanent damage to the DPF and related components. This damage would not be covered by your warranty.
The emission control system requires the use of diesel fuel with ultra low-sulfur (0.0015% by weight, or 15 ppm, maximum) content. Both Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel and Low Sulfur Diesel fuels are available in the United States and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel is available in Canada. However, only higher sulfur diesel fuel is available in Mexico.
At a minimum, the diesel fuel you use should meet the latest version of ASTM specification D 975 (Grades No. 2-D or No. 1-D S15 commonly known as Ultra Low Sulfur diesel) in the United States. In addition, the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) has identified properties of an improved diesel fuel for better engine performance and durability. Diesel fuels corresponding to the EMA Recommended Guideline on Premium Diesel Fuel (FQP-1A) could provide better starting, less noise, and better vehicle performance. If there are questions about the fuel you are using, contact your fuel supplier.
In the United States, for best results use No. 2-D diesel fuel year-round (above and below freezing conditions) as oil companies blend No. 2-D fuel to address climate differences. No. 1-D diesel fuel can be used in very cold temperatures (when it stays below 0°F or -18°C); however, it will produce a power and fuel economy loss. Avoid the use of No. 1-D diesel fuel in warm or hot climates. It can result in stalling, poor starting when the engine is hot, and could damage the fuel injection system.
It is acceptable to use diesel fuel containing up to 5% biodiesel (B5), but the final blended fuel must meet the same specification, ASTM D 975 (Grades No. 2-D or No. 1-D S15 commonly known as Ultra Low Sulfur diesel), as other fuels used in your vehicle, and the biodiesel used for making this fuel must meet the latest version of ASTM specification D 6751. Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils or animal fat that have been chemically modified to reduce the possibility of damage to the fuel system and engine. Higher concentration (i.e., greater than B5) biodiesel-containing fuels or the use of unmodified bio-oils blended into diesel fuel at any concentration is not recommended and could damage the fuel system and engine. Such damage would not be covered by your warranty. If there are questions about the biodiesel-containing fuels you are using, contact your fuel supplier.
Because of the cleansing properties of biodiesel, switching from straight diesel to a biodiesel blend can prematurely restrict the fuel filter with normal deposits in the fuel system. A fuel filter replacement might be required sooner than the recommended interval.
Diesel fuel can foam when you fill the tank. This can cause the automatic pump nozzle to shut off, even though the tank is not full. If this happens, just wait for the foaming to stop and then try filling the tank more slowly. See Filling the Tank .
Caution: Heat coming from the engine can cause the fuel to expand and force the fuel out of the tank. If something ignites the fuel, a fire could start and people could be burned. To help avoid this, try filling the tank more slowly and fill the fuel tank only until the automatic nozzle shuts off. Do not try to top it off.
What Fuel to Use in Canada
Notice: Use of diesel fuel other than Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (15 ppm sulfur maximum) or engine oil other than low ash CJ-4 oil will cause permanent damage to the DPF and related components. This damage would not be covered by your warranty.
The emission control system requires the use of diesel fuel with ultra low-sulfur (0.0015% by weight, or 15 ppm, maximum) content. Both Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel and Low Sulfur Diesel fuels are available in the United States and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel is available in Canada. However, only higher sulfur diesel fuel is available in Mexico.
At a minimum, the diesel fuel you use should meet the latest version of specification CAN/CGSB-3.517 (ULS) in Canada. In addition, the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) has identified properties of an improved diesel fuel for better engine performance and durability (FQP-1A). Diesel fuels corresponding to the EMA description could provide better starting, less noise, and better vehicle performance. If there are questions about the fuel you are using, contact your fuel supplier.
Canadian fuels are blended for seasonal changes. Diesel Type "A" fuel is blended for better cold weather starting (below 0°F or -18°C); however, you might notice some power and fuel economy loss. If Type "A" fuel is used in warmer temperatures, stalling and hard starting may occur. Diesel Type "B" fuel is blended for temperatures above 0°F (-18°C).
It is acceptable to use diesel fuel containing up to 5% biodiesel (B5), but the final blended fuel must meet the same specification, CAN/CGSB-3.517 (ULS) in Canada, as other fuels used in your vehicle, and the biodiesel used for making this fuel must meet the latest version of ASTM specification D 6751. Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils or animal fat that have been chemically modified to reduce the possibility of damage to the fuel system and engine. Higher concentration (i.e., greater than B5) biodiesel-containing fuels or the use of unmodified bio-oils blended into diesel fuel at any concentration is not recommended and could damage the fuel system and engine. Such damage would not be covered by your warranty. If there are questions about the biodiesel-containing fuels you are using, contact your fuel supplier.
Only vehicles with SEO 5F4 can use B20 biodiesel fuel.
For fleets requiring compliance to Executive order 13149 (EPACT credit mandate), a minimum B20 biodiesel blend is needed to qualify. For these users only, it is acceptable to use diesel fuel containing up to 20% biodiesel (B20). Do not use biodiesel blends in excess of 20% (B20). Higher concentration (i.e., greater than 20%) biodiesel-containing fuels or other unmodified bio-oils blended into diesel fuel at any concentration must not be used. The biodiesel portion used to make the B20 blend must meet the latest version of ASTM D 6751, Standard Specification for Biodiesel Fuel (B100) Blend Stock for Distillate Fuels, and the diesel fuel portion must meet the latest version of ASTM D 975 (Grade No. 2-D or 1-D S15) known as Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel, which are Standard Specifications for Diesel Fuel Oils.
Notice: Raw or refined vegetable oil, or recycled greases that have not been processed into biodiesel, are not biodiesel and should not be used. The use of unprocessed oil and greases blended into diesel fuel or degraded (aged) biodiesel could damage your fuel system and engine. Such damage would not be covered by your warranty.
If there are questions about the biodiesel-containing fuels you are using, contact your fuel supplier.
Some points you should be aware of when using up to B20 blends are:
| • | Biodiesel has less energy content than standard diesel fuel. If you are using B20, power, torque and fuel economy should be between 1% and 2% lower compared to standard diesel fuel. As the percent biodiesel in the blend is lowered, any differences in energy content become diminished. |
| • | Biodiesel has a cleaning effect on accumulated sediments in tanks, and filter plugging may be experienced during the use of B20. |
| • | Biodiesel has a greater tendency to oxidize than the standard diesel fuel, and thus, has a shorter storage life than standard diesel fuel. Frequent turnover of fuel in the tank is recommended to minimize problems. |
| • | Biodiesel reduces the surface tension of the blended fuel, which results in the water separator coalescing element in your vehicle's fuel filter to be ineffective. Any water in the fuel will pass through the filter and may cause corrosion damage to the fuel system. |
Notice: Any damage caused by the biodiesel fuel that does not meet these specification are not covered by your warranty.
The BQ-9000 quality management system has been established by the biodiesel industry to ensure product quality. GM recommends that fleet owners purchase B20 from a Certified Marketer or from a marketer who offers fuel from an Accredited Producer under the BQ-9000 program.
For more information about your Duramax® engine, see the Duramax Diesel owner manual.
