High sulphur diesel in new model car

Hello there, I am in the process of buying a new car to bring with me on an overseas posting. I wanted to get a diesel model for the fuel efficiency. But the country I'm moving to has high sulphur diesel (0.5%), and I don't know whether this will damage the vehicle I'm interested in (Hyundai Santa Fe, built for low sulphur fuel diesel). Can anyone help?

(And related to that, what difference would it make if it had a Euro III or a Euro IV engine, which comes as an option?)

Thanks a million.

Post edited by: dri, at: 2007/12/03 18:17

hi dri welcome to the forum

it seems contradictionary to me to buy a car built for low sulphur fuel diesel and then us it in a country with high sulphur fuel diesel why don't you have the engine change by the dealer (for their overseas models for example) to a model that isn't specifically built for that feature?

Well it just that the only cars are available here are for the low sulphur environment. To get the engine changed would be complicated (and costly?) And to buy in the country I'm going to would be equally costly because of high import tariffs.

But I'm sort of understanding from your post that you think the engine would be damaged, am I right? Any chance you could explain?

Thanks!

To tell the honest truth I wouldn't KNOW if it would be harmful at all since I never had this question asked or any of my friends encountering this problem. However, I do know people tend to take their cars with them from all areas around the world and they usually perform just fine. To be completely sure about it perhaps you should contact Hyundai itself HERE (please click), or call them at 800-633-5151

give me 2 reasons why the goverment had no choice but to phase out higher sulphur diesel

The biggest reason is so that people who live around highways and in cities can breathe. High Sulfur Diesel creates sulfur oxides, and particulates. Both of which are routinely linked to sometimes severe respiratory problems... I've never had asthma personally, but I hear it SUCKS

Second reason is that it creates jobs.


But to answer the OP question, high sulfur diesel in a low sulfer diesel engine CAN cause damage, but only because it can cause build up on sensitive emission control sensors... So you can start to have problems because the ECU is getting messed up readings. Generally this is a long term problem, but it depends on the fuel quality how long this will take.

Obviously a country with high sulfur fuel doesn't give a crap about emissions, so you shouldn't expect to have a problem passing emissions testing there, but when you get back you might because of the build up. Also you may get check engine lights and such stuff(?) It's hard to predict the future.

The other bad news is that it *may* (read likely) void your engine/ drivetrain warranty. I would talk to a dealer about the warranty issue.

Of course it's possible that my information is outdated, and the new engines are fully capable of handling the high sulfur diesel... Ask the dealer... if he says you're good, you're good (not really, but if he puts it in writing, you're good!)

You may want to consider instead purchasing a not new car that was made prior to the switch to ULSD. Then sell it when you get back.