All the fuel I see in the Northeast is <5%. So where is it not available?

The article is just absurd. Mercedes decides to suspend Diesel models in the Canada/USA and the author speculates (he fully admits is just a guess?) that its because of bio-diesel?

Ya think it might have anything to do with the 1) the recent EPA fines against VW which in my opinion were totally out of proportion to the crime and 2) the fact that we've had relatively cheap gas for the better part of a decade now and 3) gasoline direct injection vehicles are more efficient and powerful than spark ignition vehicles have ever been.

For sure the Bluetec system is complicated but I'd guess if Mercedes had a customer base that demanded 30-40% of the total sales to be Diesel powered they'd be in the North American market. I know first-hand that many Mercedes dealers had lots of trouble moving E250's off the showroom floors because of lack of demand.

Just completed a cross-country trip in my GLK250. B20 blends are out there for sure, from my observations traveling around I40-I30-I20 they are more prevalent
in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona at Love's and Flying J's. The content of the fuel is labeled right on the pump and they typically say something like 'fuel may contain up to 20 percent bio-diesel' of something like that.

When you're driving on the road and looking for fuel its pretty east to identify the B20 blends without even looking at the signs at the pumps... the B20 blends are typically 10-20 cents higher in cost than the pure Diesel prices.

I had no trouble at all avoiding B5 or B20 blends in my trip.

Non-issue as far as I'm concerned but I can certainly see an issue for someone that wasn't aware of the B20 blends and Mercedes max B5 requirement. I'm sure quite a few people have inadvertently put B20 into a bluetec vehicle.

__________________
98 Dodge-Cummins pickup (123k)
13 GLK250 (135k)
06 E320CDI (323K)
16 C300 (62K)
82 300GD Gelaendewagen (54K)

I've seen several gov't and college shuttle buses advertising on the back that they're powered by B20 biodiesel. And I know the military uses it in their non-tactical vehicles. So there must be a private bulk supplier with pumps not open to the public. Still, its disappointing that us common folk cant get our hands on some.

__________________
1998 E300 turbodiesel

America's Rights and Freedoms Are Not The Enemy!

Even if Mercedes was not actually cheating. Indications by the way are strong they where. There may be no practical way to reach current emissions requirements. Attempting to do so probably has so many downsides it makes reliability and other factors impractical.

Volkswagon for example claims they will try to get a diesel engine back into the north American marketplace. I personally have reservations they will. Unless they can meet requirements and still give both milage, good power and acceptable engine lifespan.

Then there is the specter of owning one and it being required to continue to meet the emission requirements. With periodic checks. Again it is just a personal opinion but the overall situation just looks too difficult. .

As for denial of warranty for fuel reasons. I think that has been on volkswagons books for a long time already. So if they say your issues where caused by improper fuel under warranty. True or otherwise prove different. Best of luck.

They may leave all engines used in trucks. Both heavy and light types alone basically. Even if they cannot meet requirements. The regulatory authorities other choice is perhaps to reduce the requirements they have to meet. I have also wondered just how much total raw pollution the commercial passenger jets spew into the atmosphere each and every day.

Sorry no I was on my phone earlier and I thought that was the quote from the owners manual for a BT model.

That link is quite informative.

__________________
The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

This is the question I had after reading the article. I started this thread to help find out if the author's statements were accurate. So far, it doesn't seem so!

Too bad she didn't do some research by contacting the oil companies to determine their plans for biodiesel content in diesel.

She might also have asked MB why they were no longer marketing diesels and reported their answers. Instead she guessed that it was due to the fuel issue.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

I suspect that too many ignorant drivers / owners are fueling their cars with B20 and not even realizing it. In my area, B20 stations are the same price as ULSD, though not nearly as common.

__________________
Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC

This.

No-one is buying a car from them they risk getting fined for selling. I would stop selling them here too.

__________________
68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i

I used to drive city buses in Park City, Utah (a mountain ski town) in 2006, where it got really cold. We ran the buses on B20 year-round without trouble. The bus garage had a semi-private pump, but they would allow individuals to drive in their cars and pay with a credit card.

Buying biodiesel where I live (Phoenix, Arizona valley) is difficult. Right now I think there is only one station selling it (Western States Petroleum; they have B50 and B99--I use B99), other than the Love's on the west side of the valley, which I think sells B5.

__________________
Stop paying for animal enslavement, cruelty, and slaughter. Save your health and the planet. Go vegan! I did 18 years ago. https://challenge22.com/

DON'T MESS WITH MY MERCEDES!


1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Highly Optioned, 350,000+ Miles

According to this link, in the whole of the USA, there are just 200 B20 stations. B5 and regular diesel available everywhere.
https://www.afdc.energy.gov/locator/stations/results...

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

That map is not comprehensive and does not seem to show retail stations. I ran the search and the only location near me is Phillytwotank’s biofuel plant up in Winnsboro. However I know the Murphy USAs near me are labeled with the blue B20 label (as shown in the MB document).

That is good to know that as long as you see the green ULSD label you are good to go per Mercedes. Assuming the station lablels it properly.

__________________
The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

The fuel is all ULSD, is it not? From what I have read:
- fuel with 0-5% biodiesel does not need a label that states Biodiesel content, but some will be marked B5.
- 6-20% must have a B20 label.
- Over 20% will have a label B20+ and should have the % on the label.
- Neat biodiesel will have B100 label.

This has ULSD label but we would not use it on a modern diesel

__________________
Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

I'm thinking that modern engines burn pretty clean and even older ones were not so bad due to Jet - A being highly refined "kerosene", constant loading / constant burn. The Govt mandated cleaner jets so they could inject mind control fluid to form chem trails.

Regular sulfur diesel is still used for home heating and older off road engines. It is dyed red to show that road use tax was not collected.

That is my interpretation too.
The green label by itself means B0 to B5

You have to use the blue label for >= B5 and <= B20. I think this particular case they met the intent of the law but maybe not the letter of the law, by not using the graphic standards as shown in the MB document.

The label is orange for > B20 up to B100.

I wish Phillytowtank was reading this, I am sure he knows all the background for these standards.

__________________
The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

This slightly dated article from Edmunds has some info on use of biodiesel in cars and other vehicles. Scroll down to find the section Is biodiesel safe for cars

https://www.edmunds.com/fuel-economy/biodiesel-basics.html

On the original driving.ca link, it is interesting that right under the article it says "You may also like...) and then has links to three new diesel cars that will apparently soon be on market. A Jag, a Cruze and a Mazda. According to Edmunds, the Cruze can use B20, but the Mazda and most new diesels will need B5 . Intersting that some manufacturers are introducing new diesels while Mercedes are not.

__________________
Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5