Experts: refueling with diesel fuel should only be done at branded gas stations

Sales of diesel fuel are growing, not least due to the massive number of “Euro plates,” whose owners are massively legalizing them after the adoption of the law on preferential customs clearance. Illegal diesel “barrels” are also massively active and are in no hurry to legalize. In any case, car owners have a choice, but the real quality of diesel fuel sold at “white” and “black” gas stations was investigated by the Consumers Institute in the capital. Experts selected samples from the largest gas station networks in our country, as well as from illegal sellers, and sent them to a certified laboratory. The check showed that “diesel drivers” will be able to drive even in the harshest frost, but only if they refuel at “legal” stations.

What was studied

Experts visited representatives of almost all major networks – Shell, KLO, MOTTO, OKKO, WOG, Chipo, Glusco, AMIC, ANP, BRSM – Oil, SunOil, and a “guerrilla” station trading without documents. They researched both regular diesel fuel and selectively “branded” types, which, according to sellers, have improved parameters. The list of parameters was traditional – cetane index, fractional composition, flash point in a closed cup, sulfur content, as well as the main “winter” indicator – the limiting filtration temperature. These are crucial indicators not only for retail customers but also for those who need diesel in bulk.

Will it start in the frost?

Frost resistance is the first parameter checked in the laboratory.

Counterfeit “diesel” quickly “precipitates paraffin waxes” at low temperatures, which in turn clogs filters – and the fuel system is unable to supply fuel to the engine. Tests to determine the limiting filtration temperature showed that all samples except the “illegal” ones are “honest” “winter” diesel. The standard specifies that the filtration of the “winter” grade “Z” for diesel fuel should be no less than minus 20°C. None of the “white” test participants fell below this mark, and the greatest margin of safety was demonstrated by samples of diesel that experts purchased at KLO (– 26°C), MOTTO (– 27°C) and Chipo (– 24°C) stations. For the “illegals,” “barrel” filtration corresponded to “summer” diesel parameters – minus 5°C.

The only consolation for customers of such stations may be that in real frost (and meteorologists predict down to minus 25 in the near future), they will physically not be able to dispense fuel – it will simply freeze in the fuel lines, column, and hose.

Regarding Arctic diesel fuel, the “brand” is at a height – all samples were of the highest quality. The most extreme “polar” in terms of filtration temperature were KLO branded fuel (Ventus Diesel) – below minus 37°C, and OKKO (Pulls Diesel) – minus 36°C. In case of necessity to travel in frosts (especially over long distances), experts recommend refueling only with such fuel. Cetane Index

Next, specialists calculated the cetane index of the test subjects.

This parameter is the cetane number of the fuel before using additives. In cold conditions, a high cetane number ensures higher efficiency of the diesel engine and its quick start. The general principle is the higher, the better. All test participants met the norm, with the largest margin among “regular” fuel samples demonstrated by MOTTO, KLO, and Chipo – 54.2, and 53.5 units respectively. Among branded fuels – KLO (Ventus Diesel) and BRSM-NAFTA (Diesel Euro Plus) – 55.2 and 55 units.

Flash

The second significant indicator is the flash point in a closed cup. It characterizes the fuel ignition temperature. Indirectly this indicator can show whether foreign components have entered the “diesel.” No violations were found among the participants. Sulfur – Euro-5!

The process of extracting sulfur from oil is the most difficult and costly, and sulfur combustion products harm the environment and the engine. Sulfur is fatal to neutralizers and particulate filters, but at a sulfur concentration in fuel of less than 10 mg/kg, this is not a problem.

This time, the results in this parameter were excellent. Except for one sample, all samples matched the Euro-5 level. Practically no sulfur was recorded at KLO (Ventus Diesel) – 3 mg/kg, MOTTO – 4 mg/kg. But at the illegal “barrel,” much more sulfur was found – 50 mg/kg, which corresponds to the outdated Euro 4 standard and is “not in condition.”

Conclusions

It looks like a significant barrier has been set for diesel “bodjaga” in the country, at least regarding large network operators. In general, large gas station networks (OKKO, WOG, KLO) look very decent against the backdrop of expected snowstorms and frosts.

Another important trend is emerging on the market – retailers in the economy segment (MOTTO, Chipo, SunOil) are significantly nipping at the heels of the market giants. At least their fuel quality now matches or even exceeds large networks. However, they win significantly on price (1-2 hryvnias per liter) but still lose in service, coverage, and loyalty programs. The competition for the customer promises to be interesting, and such competition brings only benefits to motorists.

EURO DIESEL

ARCTIC

Roman Petrenko