The use of red diesel in your truck leaves red marks in the fuel tank, fuel filters, and different engine parts. If you use this type of diesel for your private purposes, then you will be considered involved with criminal activities. Taxation officials use specific detectors installed on vehicles to detect chemical additives that prove illegal use of this diesel in vehicles running on highways. Overlanding For Beginners. 1; 2; First Prev 2 of 2 Go to page. According to a rough estimate, a considerable sum of several million dollars, the government loses in terms of fuel tax revenue due to its illegal sale. Privacy Policy About Contact Terms of Use. Therefore, use it in applications dedicated to off-road work. This may come in handy if you change your mind and decide to flush out the tank to use the vehicle regularly. In the event someone accidentally fills their gas tank with diesel fuel, it's not the end of the world. It is a low price as different taxes are not a part of its rate for off-road applications, including cranes, construction machinery, agricultural machinery used by farmers, and other equipment. The simple act of using it does not magically invalidate the warranty, but *IF* your car were to experience some sort of engine problem, and you went to the dealer to have it repaired under warranty, the dealer can turn around and say "Sorry, this engine problem was caused by your using an incorrect fuel (b20) so we can repair it but YOU will have to pay for it". As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Here's a recap of the post: The Pump Was Poorly Marked. My own truck runs on diesel, so out of habit, I tried filling the car with diesel. Some people use fraudulent activities like decoloration to make it suitable for on-road applications. Yes, your truck engine can operate on off-road diesel as it has similar properties to regular diesel except its red-colored appearance to distinguish it. Off-road fuel is the same as on-road fuel (as long as you're sure it's ULSD); the exception is the dye. However, its use is illegal for on-road vehicles due to tax rebates on its purchase by the federal government and states. There are specific penalties for the usage of dyed diesel in vehicles like trucks. Furthermore, you have to submit a monthly report about the quantity of fuel used and relevant equipment information. Are diesel trucks more expensive to maintain? Job Listing Rules, Who's accidentally put offroad diesel in their truck? x2 on that. Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport. This is because off-road diesel is tax-exempt to increase the fairness of diesel prices for people who are using it simply to power generators and private property. See more articles by Whitney. Thanks for the help and everything. 2 Years The dye used to add color to the red fuel is a synthetic chemical. they put half a tank off gas in my 2002 7.3. Operating a car with off-road diesel on roads is considered a form of tax evasion and on top of fines, you can even be charged back-tax by the IRS. Jeff7 Joined Oct 11, 2004 Location Quebec, Canada TDI Jetta 2002 Black May 25 . Yes, technically, you can since the main difference is the dye. Using the wrong type of fuel can damage the engine and void the warranty. You can use red diesel in your truck if you dont come on the road. The main reasons are to stop tax evasion by using off-road diesel in on-road vehicles. Its quantity to be added in the diesel is according to the limits set by IRS and EPA. In this way, they commit the crime of tax evasion and fraud with people by selling them illegal diesel at higher costs. Joined Mar 17, 2001 Location . Some people illegally use, or few petroleum distributors do fraudulent activities for the illegal sale of red diesel to truck owners on highways. Or does it just burn up in the combustion process? One question: does VW really void the warranty if I use B20 biodiesel? As the name suggests on-road diesel is designed for all vehicles that will be operated on any road open to the public. Next morning it wouldn't start. Does it foul anything up? Off-Road Diesel Color The name "Red Diesel" comes from the special dye added to it (Solvent Red 26 or Solvent Red 164) to make the fuel visually distinguishable from conventional diesel fuel. Call for a tow and have a local mechanic flush out the fuel tank to prevent any permanent harm toyour vehicle. Putting gas in a diesel car can be just as damagingit can damage your fuel injector pump, leading to an engine misfire. Go. It could be beneficial to fill your new ute with a tank or two full of on-road diesel to coat the fuel tank and prevent the dye included in off-road fuel from sticking to the walls of the tank. Gasoline contamination can also damage the fuel pump and mess up diesel injectors. It is a legal requirement by two state-owned departments, including Inland revenue services (IRS), responsible for taxation, and the environmental protection agency (EPA), accountable for ecological preservation. 752 views No matter how many times youve visited the gas station, chances are youve noticed that special nozzle and button usually placed at the end of the gasselector display marked diesel.. When not crafting car-related content, she can be found chasing after the most amazing toddler in the world, watching her beaver of a husband build amazing woodworking projects, hanging out with two crazy dogs, and visiting family and friends. There is also a color difference between the two fuels to make it easy to detect what form of diesel you use in your truck. Our responsibility is to help the government in tax evasion activities as collected taxes are used for new highways and repairing activities. The red-colored dye is a synthetic chemical in a solid form that is soluble in diesel. Off-road diesel is infused with a bright red dye that is hard to flush from your fuel tanks and can be detected with testing even if only a few small particles remain. As mentioned earlier the only real difference between on and off-road diesel is the tell-tale dye. Always remember to demand the Bill receipt for the record of the supplier. Leaving two gallons of fuel around here by a barn for two months will cause it to turn clear and weigh about 14lbs lighter. If something is wrong with the car, they have to have good reason to deny your warranty based on biodiesel use. Wiki User. Can you use regular diesel in a bio-diesel truck? Therefore, they can quickly identify if your truck has used this fuel or not. This means that you cant legally cross any public roads even if you are only going directly to private property. If you put in #1 diesel (which is essentially kerosene), what you have in your tank now is just like winterized #2 (which is #2 mixed with #1). I immediately called the dealership and they said that because it was such a small amount that I would be ok. Other times, the diesel button is located off to the side all by itself, like this one. Contrary to popular belief using off-road fuel legally on your property will not void your warranty with the manufacturer. What if you accidentally put in off road fuel in an on road truck? It won't affect how the truck runs. The stuff I put in this morning was not type 1 but type 2. Undyed diesel This question can be looked at in two ways, is it legal to put off-road diesel in your truck, and is it practical to put off-road diesel in your truck. Off-Road Diesel Fuel Your truck should be okay, but I (as someone already said) would suggest burning it off as quickly as possible and then filling it up with "good" fuel. It is so cheap because it is intended to be used on machinery and vehicles that are not used on roads making it illegal for your truck to have the faintest trace of it in your fuel tank. Off-road diesel is a regular diesel with a red-colored dye added to it to differentiate it from regular on-road diesel. But what if you accidentally put diesel fuel in your car? Do not start the car again until the tank has been drained and refilled with the correct fuel. It started running rough (about 35 miles later), so I had it towed home thinking it was an injector. So, if you ever accidentally put diesel into your gas engine, make sure not to drive with it. I remember our little diesel Toyota pickup that truck that had over 300,000 miles from the early 80's until the early 2000's going all over creation and never had anything but un-taxed farm fuel in it. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. It will not ruin your truck or render it undrivable because it is essentially the same fuel but designed for a different purpose. It was smoking and surging. At Trucksauthority.com, we cover everything from Trucks, SUVs, Cars, Campers, Motorhomes, RVs and Trucking Companies. In that case, they can impose hefty fines and severe punishment for tax evasion and fraudulent activity. Can You Mix Red Diesel and Normal Diesel. However, the tax department has developed mechanisms to identify its illegal use. HEE HEE. oil to next jug of 5gal diesel. In terms of practicality, off-road diesel will work as effectively and efficiently as ordinary diesel. The fuel system is just too expensive. OK, somewhat of a sidebar question here: if you do put dyed diesel or heating oil into your tank and run it (I know, illegal and all) --what happens to the dye? Will it stain or clog the fuel filter? Thanks for visiting overlandterrain.com. Here in Norge, where diesel cars are relatively common, the nozzles sure seem to be exactly the same. If you accidentally put diesel fuel into a gasoline engine it will run for a short period of time before it quits. I would be worried about the additive package in the fuel, I am guessing it is not as good as D2. Do not attempt to operate the vehicle. what to do if you put diesel fuel in your car. I Need CDL Training Dunno about 2 gallons, but my friend is a lexus tech and he said one owner put in a full tank of diesel and came in complaining of "engine problems". It's just made with a slightly higher concentration of sulfur with man-made red dye inside. The stuff I put in this morning was not type 1 but type 2. We will discuss a few primary aspects of red diesel in comparison with regular diesel. However, they have further restricted this limit to less than 15ppm, which is the same for on-road vehicles. In the UK, red diesel is commonly used by rail transport, horticulture and farming . Car Reviews, Ratings & Awards | J.D. I have friends that don't use anything BUT offroad in their trucks. I finished filling it up with BioDiesel and made my merry way to work. What do I do? Mixing small amounts of acid or a base acts as a bleaching agent and decolors the fuel. 3. It didn't run well but it ran. Instead, have your vehicle towed to a local mechanic and have the diesel pumped out. I went to fill my car up today with B20 BioDiesel and there are two pumps. From a legal standpoint, it is only legal to use off-road diesel if the truck remains on your private property. It's cheaper than regular diesel due to a lower tax rate applied; however, it's important not to use it in road-going vehicles as this is breaking the law. If you continue to drive, it will most likely result in your vehicle shutting down. Its worthy to note that if you think you might change your mind about the use of your new truck alternating to normal diesel every few tanks will make it easier to flush the dye out if you eventually decide to use it as a daily car. Both types of diesel are made with the same formula in all other aspects than the change in fuel color. Since a gasoline engine can't correctly combust diesel fuel, engine damage can also result. Kevin Gainer Automotive Mechanic 35 years of experience The fuel system will have to be thoroughly cleaned and that's about it. Each company we work with has specific experience requirements for their drivers. The government has invested in research and arrangements to stop tax evasion and fraudulent activities. She also enjoys traveling, crafting, and binge-watching period dramas when time allows. I don't if I lost the eng or not I am pumping it out right now. In the worst case scenario, you might have to replace your cars entire engine which will set you back anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000. Instances of diesel fuel going into gas engines were reduced when gas stations switched the size of the pump so that it doesn't fit into tanks of gas-powered cars. It contains the same formula and ingredients as on-road diesel (excluding the dye) and is only marked differently due to the issues discussed earlier with roads taxes and tax exemption. There are several certified companies for the distribution of red fuel to customers. What to do if you accidentally put dyed diesel in the tank of your licensed vehicle: Drain the dyed diesel from the main supply tank of the licensed vehicle, Replace the fuel filter, Clean the main supply tank and fuel supply lines, and Pay fuels tax on any dyed diesel used on a taxable road with the Form 75, Idaho Fuel Use Report. Fixing this problem is pretty straightforward. Better yet use 5 gal of Biodiesel instead of the veg. The maximum limit for the fine can be up to a few thousand dollars or according to the tanks fuel at a rate of tens of dollars per gallon. Type 1, I was told is catastrophic for my car and would have to get $400 worth f repairs. Worst case is that the type 1 has a higher sulpher content (better lubricity). You may not find it on regular fuel stations on highways due to extra paperwork for certification with the IRS. Because personal vehicles have engines specifically designed for running on gasoline rather than diesel, filling up your engine with diesel can potentially ruin your cars engine and result in costly repairs. Long story short: do everything you can to avoid putting diesel in your vehicle. Off-road fuel isn't taxed like road fuel is, hence the dye and hence why you'd be fined if you're caught. Therefore, red diesel is 30-35% cheaper than the regular one. If you use dyed fuel I would mix in some bio or use a good conditioner. To conclude off-road diesel functions in the same practical way, however, using off-road diesel can dramatically decrease the practicality of your vehicle as an everyday vehicle. I used a gas can for diesel and marked it diesel with marker. Or does it just burn up in the combustion process? My wife and I are going on a big trip (1,500 miles) next week into SW Colorado. In cases of natural disasters, sometimes that's the only fuel available, so you probably won't get fined. The only difference in off-road fuel is the chemical dye which can be detected even in the smallest amounts. I haven't tried and I am not encouraging that anyone break the law but I have heard that like all dye's you can get dyed diesel to "fade"/Disappear by leaving the fuel in the sun. Fuel tank was drained, new fuel added and after a couple of seconds it lit off and ran fine. Type 1, I was told is catastrophic for my car and would have to get $400 worth f repairs. The government is taking strict measures to cope with such tax evasion. The reason this is an issue is that the testing kits police use to detect the dye is very powerful and if you do not properly flush the tank you are at risk of fines ranging anywhere between $100-$10 000 depending on your state. If this happens to you, you should drain your car right away. One question: does VW really void the warranty if I use B20 biodiesel? Obviously there wasn't any concern for that. In order for you to receive the best possible offers, please make sure your answers above are accurate prior to submitting. Off-road diesel is essentially the same as regular diesel except for its color and low price. The government has withdrawn taxes on this while you have to pay a hefty amount in terms of duties and road taxes for on-road diesel. So I accidentally put 3.5 gallons of the dyed off-road diesel in my Jetta. Therefore, its usage in your truck has no drawbacks from an operational or qualitative point of view. The only difference is the added dye that changes its color to red. You may need to repair, rebuild, or fully replace engine components, so you should also get your car drained if this mixup occurs. I give my express consent authorizing TruckersReport and its. In short, you are not allowed to use off-road diesel for private purposes. Diesel fuel usually damages the piston or cylinder head. Chris Dec 30, 2009 / A few gallons of gas accidentally got put in my diesel tractor. A gasoline engine will not run on diesel. I have a 2006 VW Jetta TDI w/27,000 miles on it. If you put diesel fuel in your vehicle, turn on the engine, and maybe even drive it for a few miles before realizing your mistake, pull over as soon as you can and turn off the engine. The use of red diesel for on-road vehicles like trucks is allowed in the following two conditions: The state has declared an emergency, and there is a shortage of regular diesel supply. Most likely everything will be fine unless you ran it until it quit. The world is a very big place. This article will discuss the implications of using off-road diesel in your truck. Red diesel smells precisely the same as regular diesel. Add a cup or so of pure veg. Please select the number of verifiable months youve been driving professionally using your Class A CDL within the last 3 years. Here's what you need. Chevy and GMC Duramax Diesel Forum Here are some related products that Chevy and GMC Duramax Diesel Forum members are talking about. Owners should be prepared to pay anywhere from $400 to $1,500, according to Tim Anderson, owner of Automotive Authority in Troy, Michigan, who is quite familiar with performing these kinds of repairs. What is Overlanding? The off-road fuel, aside from being taxed at a much lower rate, contains a higher sulfur content than the 'on-road' stuff. Should I change the filter and try to start it. . Cookie Policy | The fine can be pretty hefty depending on where you live. Study now. However, you'll be charged with a criminal offense and be fined upwards of $1,000 in most places. Some manufacturers will require tank replacement if you want to keep your warranty. It has similar qualities as regular diesel except for slightly high sulfur content. Minimize your risk of costly repairs by not running the vehicle. Keep in mind that most states have a 25 mile allowance for using off road diesel on the road. Went to bleed the fuel like this morning because it wouldn't start, and gas shot all over. So, if you accidentally fill your vehicle with off-road diesel theres no reason to panic about potential damage. If you accidentally put diesel oil in your car, do not start the engine. In case of any suspicious activity, contact the helpline of IRS or taxation authorities. I left a 5 gallon yellow container of dyed off-road diesel near the door of our barn for about 2 months while the farm tractor was broken down and therefore not using any fuel. Peace. As an avid Motorist (Overlanding mostly) I love to mention and link to various products and gear I use. Hi guys looking for your advice. This means it is a declaration of sorts that you will not be using this vehicle on public roads. That helped a little but it still is not right. In CDL School Now If you use off-road fuel consistently it will take even more tanks of on-road fuels to ensure that the dye is fully removed from the fuel tank. If you get caught with off-road diesel, you can get punishment in the form of a hefty fine, confiscation of your automobile, and in extreme cases, you can go to jail for a few months to years due to tax fraud. You will find trained IRS officials to detect various symptoms of usage of red fuel in your vehicle. A simple tool is flashing UV light in your fuel tank, and it will identify the color of the diesel. I think the diesel nozzle is too large to fit into the filler neck on a standard gasoline-burning car, but I'm not sure. Its also safe for newer trucks. JavaScript is disabled. For using red fuel for off-road applications, you need to register yourself with the IRS to get a license. When you finally bring your truck to the shop, all you'll need to do is sit back and wait as they'll run all the necessary measures to safely siphon the gasoline out of your diesel tank! The diesel fuel has the potential to do more damage the longer you let it sit, so I would have the starting issue inspected at as soon as possible in order have this . I drove it about 15 kilometers and it didn't stall or stop but it was a little hesitant when I accelerated.