Diesel Fuels - Mercedes-Benz 300 SD Operator's Manual

Diesel Fuels

Use only commercially available
vehicular diesel fuels No. 2 or No. 1
(ASTM D 975 No. 2-D or No. 1-D).
If diesel fuels are used with a sulphur
content exceeding 0.5% by weight,
refer to the "Engine Oil Change and
Oil Filter Service" section. Marine
diesel fuel, heating oil or the like must
not be used.
At very low temperatures the fluidity
of No. 2 diesel fuel may become
insufficient due to paraffin separation.
For this reason the vehicle comes
equipped with a fuel preheater. The
fuel preheater only works with the
vehicles interior heater operating. It
permits a trouble free engine operation
to a temperature of approximately
+ 14°F (-10°C) when using No. 2
diesel fuel.
To avoid malfunctions, No. 2 diesel
fuel of a lowered cloud point is
marketed during the cold season.
At temperatures below + 14°F (-10°C)
use winterized or No. 1 diesel fuel
only. If not available, a
certain quantity of kerosene may be
added. Mixing only to be done within
the cars' fuel tank. Kerosene has to be
filled in before the diesel fuel.
Engine power may drop according to
the proportion of kerosene. For this
reason, keep percentage of kerosene
added to the minimum necessitated by
the ambient temperature.
The following table can be used as a
reference, if adding of kerosene
becomes necessary. The mixing ratios
shown refer to the total mixture.
Ambient temperature
+ 14°F to -4°F (-10°C to -20°C)
No. 2 Diesel Fuel: 70%
Kerosene: 30%
Ambient temperature
below -4°F(-20°C)
No. 2 Diesel Fuel: 50%
Kerosene: 50%
Even in extreme climatic conditions,
the maximum mixture ratio should not
exceed 50%.
Adding of kerosene to No. 1 diesel fuel
is not recommended even at low
temperatures.
Warning!
Under no circumstances should
gasoline be mixed with diesel fuel.
Always follow basic safety rules
when working with any combustible
material. Do not fill the fuel tank or
mix diesel fuel and kerosene when
smoking, near an open flame or
while the vehicle's engine is running.
An explosion or fire can result.
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