DieselSouth Africa

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94. Diesel

Diesel is a liquid fuel used in compression-ignition engines. Unlike petrol engines, diesel engines ignite the fuel through the heat produced by compressing air rather than by using spark plugs.

Diesel fuels can contain renewable components such as biodiesel. Drivers should always use a diesel grade that is approved by the vehicle manufacturer, as using an incompatible fuel can damage the engine or fuel system.

Diesel
OKQ8 filling-station pylon displaying fuel information. (Sweden)
Wikimedia.org • Okq8 se • CC BY-SA
What is diesel fuel?

Diesel is a liquid motor fuel designed primarily for compression-ignition engines. These engines compress air until it becomes hot enough to ignite the injected fuel.

What do labels such as B7 and B10 mean?

The letter B identifies diesel containing biodiesel components. The number indicates the maximum percentage of biodiesel in the fuel, so B7 may contain up to 7% and B10 up to 10% biodiesel.

Can every diesel vehicle use every type of diesel?

No. Compatibility depends on the vehicle and engine. Drivers should follow the manufacturer's specifications before using fuels such as B10, higher biodiesel blends or synthetic diesel.

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