Ultra Low Sulfur Availability - Benzworld.org

MBOW · 10-24-2006, 10:28 AM

Having an R320 on order, I am interested in the realities of availability of ultra low sulfur diesel in Canada and the U.S. as I travel extensively.

During our trip from Eastern Canada to Florida last week, not one station at which I stopped had ULSD nor did anyone know what I was talking about.

Here's a statement I received from MB Canada on the subject:

Quote:

Environment Canada has regulated that the maximum allowable limit for
sulphur in on-road diesel fuel is 15ppm effective September 1st, 2006.
With that being said, they have amended this regulation increasing the
sulphur content to 22ppm from 15ppm during the period of September 1st to
October 14th due to difficulties anticipated during the transition. Our
understanding is that all diesel fuel offered in Canada should meet the
above regulations, however, we would suggest that you speak directly with a
fuel retailer for further information

.

Also I've attached a copy of an Industry News article on ULSD.

Does anyone have specific information about availability?

ravinj · 10-24-2006, 04:14 PM

Looks like the deadine was Oct 15th in the USA:

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_474419.html

Per my understanding, this deadline was for REFINERIES to start shipping only ULSD from Oct 15th.

Quote:

Right now, all motorists in Southwest Washington are pumping the cleaner fuel,

:
http://www.columbian.com/news/localN...6news65678.cfm

MBOW · 10-24-2006, 05:38 PM

I've been hearing reports of sporadic availability in New Mexico, but so far have not seen any in Florida.

While travelling south in our motorcoach, I fuelled up at Flying J truck stops and they had none along I 81.

I wrote to Flying J and received the following reply:

Quote:

Flying J, Inc. is expecting to have ULSD (<15 ppm sulfur) available for retail sales in its travel centers on or about October 15, 2006.

Currently, all our tanks are stickered as non-ULSD (<500 ppm sulfur).

Most of our sites will offer diesel for both the 2007 and newer/later engines, and diesel for older engines.

The final programming is being completed the show ULSD on our website.

Thanks for your inquiry.

Danny R. Kline
National Manager, Supply and Distribution
Flying J, Inc.

Office: 801.624.1211
Fax: 801.395.8548
Cell: 801.510.9494
E-mail: Danny.Kline@FlyingJ.com

I would say they appear to be behind schedule.

MBOW · 10-24-2006, 06:49 PM

A search of Google News returns these stories, many of which report thhe big transition is to occur Sunday October 29, 2006

In the interests of those purchasing R320's, would you report any sightings of ULSD at the fuel outlets you might visit from now til the end of the year?

That information will provide those of us with R320's some insights into what it will be like to get fuel.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

MBOW · 10-25-2006, 04:20 PM

This Topic is also discussed here:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w123...hlight=sulphur

MBOW · 10-28-2006, 06:33 PM

Here is Chevron / Texaco's information site on the subject of ULSD:

Chevron ULSD FAQ's

PDF Brochure on ULSD regulations

Have you actually seen ULSD available at your local fuel retailer?

hawbottom · 10-29-2006, 07:09 AM

Our local Chevron and Shell stations have ULSD, but have not needed it yet, since our ML320 CDI is not yet a week old. I have not checked other stations in our area, except for a Citgo which does not have it.

DUTCH · 10-29-2006, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravinj

Per my understanding, this deadline was for REFINERIES to start shipping only ULSD from Oct 15th.

Here's a table of the dates. Key words are "Facilities that choose to carry ULSD"

tompat42 · 10-29-2006, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBOW

Having an R320 on order, I am interested in the realities of availability of ultra low sulfur diesel in Canada and the U.S. as I travel extensively.

During our trip from Eastern Canada to Florida last week, not one station at which I stopped had ULSD nor did anyone know what I was talking about.

Here's a statement I received from MB Canada on the subject:

.

Also I've attached a copy of an Industry News article on ULSD.

Does anyone have specific information about availability?

I have a R320CDI with 1200 mi and a trip from Birmingham, AL to north GA mountains and back; I have bought fuel three times with no problems in availability. I have used TEXACO, Chevron, and BP and all displayed the now "15ppm decal" on the tanks. I also checked a few (5-7) other stations during bio-breaks on the interstates and found that all have low sulpgur diesel. I would not worry about fuel. This puppy is a sipper (not a gulper) so fuel stops will be less frequently. In the first 1200 miles I have not experienced any problems. The R320CDI is a great road car and has great torque and acceleration around town. The torque curve is ideal around town and cruising/passing on the interstates.

DUTCH · 11-01-2006, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBOW

I've been hearing reports of sporadic availability in New Mexico, but so far have not seen any in Florida.

While travelling south in our motorcoach, I fuelled up at Flying J truck stops and they had none along I 81.

I wrote to Flying J and received the following reply:

I would say they appear to be behind schedule.

Flying J now has a page on their website that lists availability and pricing.

http://flyingj.com/fuel/diesel_CF.cfm?state=ALL

Not a whole lot of availability yet (Nov 1, 2006).