Can European diesel fuel be used on American diesel vehicles?

Question

Vehicle requires Ultra Low Sulfur diesel fuel.

Answer 1

Yes, European diesel fuel is actually lower in sulfur.

Aside from sulfur content, American diesel fuel has a much lower cetane count than European diesel fuel. This means American consumers will receive diesel engines that are detuned to account for low-quality fuel.

Answer 2

Absolutely.  In November 2006 ULSD (ultra low sulfur diesel) became available in the US.  It did not hurt any of the pre-2006 diesel vehicles still on the road.  Just as the low sulfur european diesel will run seemlessly in an American diesel.  

Try to find biodiesel if you can.  All my vehicles vibrate less and make less noise and almost no smoke at all under acceleration!  The quieter running engine is because biodiesel is a better lubricant than petroleum diesel, and helps extend the life of the injector pump.  Plus your helping reduce your contribution to global warming.  

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Yes.

Answer 4

Yes.  I know folks who have taken US diesels vehicles to Europe and driven there without a problem.  Similarly, I have seen foreign diesels on the road in the US.

The sulphur content of diesel fuel varies. In the US, standards now allow 15 parts per million (PPM) of sulphur in diesel used for highway vehicles.  In the European Union, 50 PPM is allowed and 10 is supposed to be available.  The sulphur levels do not affect the usability of the fuel, but lower PPM means lower particulate emissions.