TM 5-3810-300-24&P-3
13.3
DETROIT DIESEL FUEL OIL SPECIFICATIONS
regularly provided by the petroleum industry through
Detroit Diesel designs, develops, and manufacturers
retail outlets. It is accordingly contrary to the policy of
commercial diesel engines to operate on diesel fuels
General Motors to recommend the regular and
classified by the A.S.T.M. as Designation D-975 (grades
continued use of supplementary additives in such fuels
1-D and 2-D). These grades are very similar to grades
and lubricants.
DF-1 and DF-2 of Federal Specification VV-F-800.
"This policy, should not be confused with the fact I11
Residual fuels and furnace oils. generally, are not
that certain supplementary additives may effectively,
considered satisfactory for Detroit Diesel engines. In
and economically, solve specific operating problems
some regions, however, fuel suppliers may distribute one
which occasionally, arise in some vehicles. In such
fuel that is marketed as either diesel fuel (A.S.T.M. D-
instances. supplementary' additives may be developed
975) or domestic heating fuel (A.S.T.M.
D-396)
on the basis of suitable tests to remedy such problems
without otherwise causing harm to %vehicles. These
sometimes identified as furnace oil. In this case, the fuel
selected products are then given official GM part
should be investigated to determine whether the
numbers and made available for use in appropriate
properties conform with those shown in the FUEL OIL
service applications.
SELECTION CHART, presented in this specification.
"While General Motors Corporation
assumes
responsibility for the additives selected by it to remedy
The FUEL OIL SELECTION CHART also will serve as a
specific operating problems. it cannot, of course.
guide in the selection of the proper fuel for various
accept responsibility, for the many other additives
applications. The fuels used must be clean, completely
which are constantly being marketed."
distilled, stable, and non-corrosive.
DISTILLATION
RANGE, CETANE NUMBER. and SULFUR CONTENT
Although the stated Corporation policy is self-
are three of the most important properties of diesel fuels
explanatory, the following is emphasized: Detroit Diesel
that must be controlled to insure optimum combustion
does not recommend or support the use of any
and minimum wear. Engine speed, load, and ambient
supplementary fuel or lubricant additives. These include
temperature influence the selection of fuels with respect
all products marketed as fuel conditioners, smoke
to distillation range and cetane number. The sulfur
suppressants, masking agents, reodorants, tune-up
content of the fuel must be as low as possible to avoid
compounds. top oils, break-in oils, graphitizers and
excessive deposit formation. premature wear. and to
friction reducing compounds.
minimize the sulfur dioxide exhausted into the
NOTE: The manufacturer's warranty applicable
atmosphere.
to Detroit Diesel engines provides in part that the
To assure that the fuel you use meets the required
provisions of such warranty shall not apply to any
properties. enlist the aid of a reputable fuel oil supplier.
engine unit which has been subject to misuse,
The responsibility for clean fuel lies with the fuel supplier
negligence
or
accident.
Accordingly,
as well as the operator.
malfunctions attributable to neglect or failure to
follow the manufacturer's fuel or lubricating
During cold weather engine operation, the cloud point
recommendations indicated above may not be
(the temperature at which wax crystals begin to form in
within the coverage of the warranty.
diesel fuel) should be 10 F below the lowest ex-pected
fuel temperature to prevent clogging of the fuel filters by
wax crystals.
At temperatures below --20 F, consult an authorized
Detroit Diesel service outlet. since particular attention
must be given to the cooling system. lubricating system,
fuel system, electrical system. and cold weather starting
aids for efficient engine starting and operation.
STATEMENT OF POLICY ON FUELS AND LUBRICANTS
NOTE: When prolonged idling periods or cold weather
In answer to requests concerning the use of fuel and
conditions below 320 F are encountered, the use of
lubricating oil additives, the following excerpts have been
lighter distillate fuels may be more practical. The same
taken from a policy statement of General Motors
consideration must be made when operating at altitudes
Corporation:
above 5,000 ft.
"It has been and continues to be General Motors policy
to build motor vehicles that will operate satisfactorily on
the commercial fuels and lubricants of good quality
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