Proper-fuel ID. #2 S-15 = ULSD?

[Wolfy]

I have so-far used only plainly labeled-on-the-pump ULSD in my 6. 7.



A major grocery chain(Safeway) in this area (Washington/Oregon) has several stations where the ULSD labeling is on the pump. I had perhaps mistakenly understood that if any pump was dispensing ULSD, it was required to say-so on the pump.



Another store closest to me recently opened a new fueling station, with one diesel pump, and the pump has only #2, and S-15 labels,... nothing about ULSD.



I inquired of the manager, explaining the warranty "requirement" that the new rigs use ULSD. He then called someone having to do with fuel supply, and was told that the same tanker truck fuels all the local stations, and that the "ULSD" labels are "the old ones', and that the #2 S-15 labels are the NEW way to identify the fuel as ULSD.



Can someone comment authoritatively on what pump labels actually identify fuel that is acceptable for our use per Dodge/Cummins?

(... and what are the legal requirements for labeling a pump dispensing this fuel? Are the requirements all-inclusive fed only, ... or do they vary from state to state?)



The store manager is also interested in replies from this forum. (If the #2 S-15 fuel actually IS ULSD, he will try to get both labels on the pump, so as not to lose cautious, uncertain customers such as myself. )



Thanks,

 

[JohnBower]

This link shows the labels used by the American Petroleum Institute.

API Suggested Diesel Pump Labels



These are the labels that I see in Arizona.

 

[DKupec]

After looking at the label it seems that the S-15 probably refers to the 15 ppm Max of Sulfur.



Here is a Chevron FAQ site that I found. It does look like S-15 is ULSD.



Diesel Fuels Question and Answers - New s15 ULSD Regulations

 

[sag2]

I would assume the S-15 stands for sulfur-15ppm or ULSD.

 

[HSpiering]

It is illegal to sell anything but ULSD in OR & WA as of Jan 07. CA before that.

 

[Wolfy]

After looking at the label it seems that the S-15 probably refers to the 15 ppm Max of Sulfur.



Here is a Chevron FAQ site that I found. It does look like S-15 is ULSD.



Diesel Fuels Question and Answers - New s15 ULSD Regulations

Thanks DKupec/JohnBower, ... Very helpful!



Here is a relevant section from near the bottom of the page:

______________________________________________________



Information for Retailers, Marketers, and Commercial Customers



1. What are diesel dispenser pump labeling requirements?



The EPA regulations require that the sulfur content of all diesel dispensers in the United States, except California, be communicated to the diesel end-users, using new dispenser labels. This includes the S15 (ULSD), S500 (LSD), and S5000 (HSD) dispensers. The EPA has defined the text for each label and provides specifications as to where the label is to be located on the dispenser. This regulation applies to any dispenser; whether it is at a retail site, commercial site, or is for company's own use.

As of June 1, 2006 each diesel dispenser (except those dispensers in California) must have a label that correctly identifies the type of diesel fuel being sold from that dispenser. Initially, for most on-highway diesel dispensers this will be the S500 (LSD) label. When a dispenser is transitioned to the new ultra low sulfur diesel fuel, the S500 (LSD) or S5000 (HSD) label must then be removed from the dispenser and replaced by an S15 (ULSD) label.

In California, the state has mandated that ULSD be the only fuel available. Therefore, the EPA has exempted California from labeling dispenser pumps.

Please see the American Petroleum Institute (API) article, API Suggested Diesel Pump Labels for more information concerning the look and placement of the decals.

Chevron and Texaco Marketer-Retailers can find the new decals and ordering information in Chevron Business Point under "Resources & Community".

Note - The above labeling requirements only apply to the United States, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Canada does not have dispenser labeling requirements.

______________________________________________________________



Careful reading shows this to indicate that the API labels are regulation-required, ... a "must have" label with "the look" suggested by the API.



This would mean that the simple #2 S-15 labels are NOT ENOUGH,... and that the familiar green/white "ULSD" API labels, which spell out in detail what the pump is dispensing (using EPA-"defined" text), are required.