The preferred fuels provide maximum engine service life and performance. The preferred fuels are distillate fuels. These fuels are commonly called diesel fuel, furnace oil, gas oil or kerosene.
The permissible fuels are crude oils or blended fuels. Use of these fuels can result in higher maintenance costs and in reduced engine service life.
Diesel fuels that meet the specifications in table 1 will provide these benefits. In North America, diesel fuel that is identified as No. 1-D and No. 2-D in "ASTM D975" generally meet these specifications. This table is for diesel fuels that are distilled from crude oil. Diesel fuels from other sources could exhibit detrimental properties that are not defined or controlled by this specification.
| Caterpillar Specifications for Distillate Fuel | |
| Specification (Test Procedure) | Requirement |
| Aromatics "ASTM D1319" | 35 percent maximum |
| Ash "ASTM D482" | 0.02 percent maximum |
| Carbon Residue on 10 percent Bottoms "ASTM D524" | maximum of 1.05 percent by weight |
| Cetane Number "ASTM D613" | 35 minimum cetane (PC engines) 40 minimum cetane (DI engines) |
| Cloud Point | This point should be below the lowest expected temperature. |
| Corrosion (Copper Strip) "ASTM D130" |
No. 3 maximum |
| Distillation "ASTM D86" | 10 percent at 282°C (540°F) maximum 90 percent at 360°C (680°F) maximum |
| Flash Point "ASTM D93" | legal limit |
| API Gravity "ASTM D287" | 30 minimum 45 maximum |
| Pour Point "ASTM D97" | 6°C (10°F) minimum below ambient temperature |
| Sulfur "ASTM D3605" or "ASTM D1552" (1) | 3 percent maximum (1) |
| Kinematic Viscosity at 40°C (104°F) "ASTM D445" (2). |
1.4 cSt minimum 20.0 cSt maximum |
| Water and Sediment "ASTM D1796" | 0.1 percent maximum |
| Water | 0.1 percent maximum |
| Sediment "ASTM D473" | 0.05 percent maximum |
| Gum and Resins "ASTM D381" | 10 mg per 100 mL maximum |
| Fuel Lubricity Scuffing Load Wear Test (SBOCLE) or High Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR) (3) |
3100 g. minimum 0.45 mm maximum at 60°C (140°F) or 0.38 mm maximum at 25°C (77°F) |
| ( 1 ) | Caterpillar fuel systems and engine components can operate on high sulfur fuels. However, fuel sulfur levels effect exhaust particulate emissions. High sulfur fuels increase the potential for internal component corrosion. Fuel sulfur levels above 1.0 percent may significantly shorten the oil change interval. Refer to the TBN and Fuel Sulfur topic in the lubricant's section for additional information. |
| ( 2 ) | The viscosity limits are for the fuel as the fuel is delivered to the fuel injection pump. Fuels such as JP-8, JP-5, Jet-A-1 or No. 1 diesel fuel have low viscosity. These fuels may require fuel cooling in order to maintain a viscosity of 1.4 cSt at the fuel injection pump. Fuels with a high viscosity may require heating of the fuel in order to reduce viscosity to 20 cSt. Fuels that are used in cold temperatures may require heating to maintain a viscosity of 20 cSt. |
| ( 3 ) | Low sulfur fuel is commonly used. The treatment that is used to create low sulfur fuel often lowers the fuel lubricity. If the fuel lubricity does not meet the minimum requirements, consult your fuel's supplier. Do not treat the fuel without consulting with the fuel supplier. Some additives are not compatible. This can cause problems in the fuel system. See "ASTM D6708" (SBOCLE) and "ASTM D6079" (HFRR). |
In extreme cold ambient conditions, you may use the distillate fuels that are specified in table 2. However, the fuel that is selected must meet the requirements that are specified in table 1. These fuels are intended to be used in operating temperatures that are down to −54°C (−65°F).
Note: If a particular fuel does not meet the minimum Caterpillar requirements that are listed in table 1, the engine could exhibit the following problems: excessive wear of the fuel system, failure of the fuel system and excessive wear of the engine that is caused by deposits or corrosion
| Distillate Fuels (1) | |
| Specification | Grade |
| "MIL-T-5624R" | JP-5 |
| "ASTM D1655" | Jet-A-1 |
| "MIL-T-83133D" | JP-8 |
| ( 1 ) | These fuels may not meet the requirements that are listed in table 1. Contact the supplier for the recommended additives in order to maintain the proper fuel lubricity. |
These fuels are lighter than the No. 2 grades of fuel. The cetane number of the fuels in table 2 must be at least 40. If the viscosity is below 1.4 cSt at 38°C (100°F), use the fuel only in temperatures below 0°C (32°F). Do not use any fuels with a viscosity of less than 1.2 cSt at 38°C (100°F). Fuel cooling may be required in order to maintain the viscosity of 1.4 cSt at the fuel injection pump.
There are many other diesel fuel specifications that are published by governments and by technological societies. Usually, those specifications do not review all the requirements that are addressed in this specification. To ensure optimum engine performance, a complete fuel analysis should be obtained before engine operation. The fuel analysis should include all of the properties that are listed in table 1.