Clarify the meaning of ‘premium’ diesel, task force tells fuel suppliers
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (July 8, 1999) — Responding to complaints that so-called “premium” diesel has more to do with price than engine protection, an industry task force is calling on fuel companies to redefine how premium diesel differs from other fuels.
The Maintenance Council of the American Trucking Associations and the Engine Manufacturers Association have jointly proposed a new standard based on the EMA’s two-year-old FQP-1 premium diesel definition. It incorporates the work of a TMC fuels task force.
“This diesel fuel recommendation is considered to be ‘premium’ insofar as it may assist in improving the performance and durability of engines currently in use and those expected to be produced prior to 2004,” says the proposal.
The groups note that this definition is not intended to improve exhaust emissions or let engines meet any emissions standards.
The new definition spells out requirements for a minimum lubricity, increased cetane number, improved cold weather performance, detergency, thermal stability, minimum energy content and overall fuel “cleanliness.”
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