What does 0# diesel refer to?
3 Answers
0# diesel refers to light diesel oil. Diesel is divided into light diesel and heavy diesel. Diesel is a light petroleum product, a complex hydrocarbon mixture, and serves as fuel for diesel engines. Diesel is mainly blended from diesel fractions produced through processes such as crude oil distillation, catalytic cracking, thermal cracking, hydrocracking, and petroleum coking. Diesel is widely used in large vehicles, railway locomotives, and ships, primarily as liquid fuel for diesel engines. Diesel has the environmental characteristics of low energy consumption and low pollution. As the power source for tractors, large vehicles, internal combustion locomotives, civil engineering, excavators, loaders, fishing boats, diesel generator sets, and agricultural machinery, it serves as fuel for diesel engines such as diesel cars and tractors.
Diesel #0 is a big deal when it comes to vehicle operation, and truck drivers know its importance all too well. Simply put, the '#0' refers to the diesel's freezing point—the critical temperature at which it starts to solidify and form wax. Diesel #0 works perfectly fine above 4°C, but once the temperature drops below 0°C, it's like clogging the fuel lines with lard, completely blocking the fuel system. One winter in Northeast China, I tried to save money by using #0 diesel, only to have the engine howling in the middle of the night with the fuel filter completely blocked. I had to thaw it by pouring hot water over the fuel lines. Now I’ve learned my lesson—I switch to #-10 diesel before cold snaps hit. Drivers in the south have it easier, as #0 diesel works fine year-round. Always check the label when refueling—this is no joke!
Having worked in auto repair for over a decade, I've frequently encountered faults caused by No. 0 diesel. This fuel has a pour point of 0°C, and wax crystals begin to precipitate when temperatures drop below 4°C. Last time, I repaired a construction vehicle whose owner filled it with No. 0 diesel at -2°C—it broke down after just a few dozen kilometers. Upon disassembly, we found the fuel lines completely blocked by wax crystals, turning into solid pipes, and the injectors were clogged too. The cleaning cost ended up being three times more expensive than the money saved on fuel. Actually, the diesel grade number represents the negative value of its pour point: -10 grade works down to -5°C, while -35 grade withstands extreme cold up to -30°C. Northern vehicle owners must switch to lower-grade diesel in winter, and even in southern regions with large temperature variations, it's wise to keep negative-grade diesel for emergencies. Installing a fuel line heater is also recommended for added safety.
