Mercedes Benz says Canadian Diesel Fuel Too Crappy for their Engines

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SkyPup

Guest
"Will there be a DIESEL model in the 2001 model line-up?

No.

DIESEL models will NOT be sold in Canada for the 2001 model year. Due to the variance in the diesel fuel quality sold in Canada (cetane value, sulfur content, level of contaminants) the Mercedes-Benz direct injection diesel engines (CDI) cannot be certified to comply with Canadian emissions standards. Our plans for future offerings of diesel models depend on any Canadian legislation that will require improved diesel fuel quality, an issue that is out of our control.

http://www.mercedes-benz.ca/English/html/FAQs/faqs-corp.cfm?sections=PR#21
 
S

SkyPup

Guest
They also mention that they will not import their super high mileage "SMART" turbodiesel cars either:


Will the SMART Car be sold in Canada?

Currently, there are no plans to import these vehicles into Canada, as they are not designed according to Canadian safety and emissions standards.
 
S

SkyPup

Guest
Hard to believe, MB builds all this turbodiesel iron at their plant in Alabama and then ships it ALL overseas.


"MBUSA currently builds the ML320, ML430, ML55 AMG, and the ML270 CDI turbodiesels at the Tusculoosa, Alabama North American plant for shipment to Europe only. This is because of the very poor diesel fuel quality available throughout North America."
 

Ric Woodruff

BANNED, Ric went to Coventry.
Joined
Feb 19, 1999
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SkyPup:
crap
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I just did, about 4 hours ago.
 
S

SkyPup

Guest
You could have used some emergency toilet paper from an oil bypass, remember that next time, it pays to stock some in the trunk for emergencies like you had. It's terrible getting stuck in situations like that and having to stink up everything.
 
S

SkyPup

Guest
US Regulations and the Future of Diesel in Light Duty Application: Reg Modlin, DaimlerChrysler

Reg Modlin began with an anecdote about “The Perfect Storm,” in which three storm systems came together to form a deadly super storm. He said that in the world of diesel companies, fuel quality, fuel economy, and emission regulations constitute three elements coming together to make the perfect storm, and we shouldn’t be steering policy right into the center of it. Daimler Chrysler’s view is that diesel has a place in the future motor vehicle fleet because it is the best alternative for improved fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions in the near- to mid-term.

However, health-based regulations effectively bar diesel in the light duty segment, making a technology deemed necessary elsewhere in the world a nonviable option for the United States. He noted the apparent conflict between health-based emission restrictions and energy policies, but countered that marketplace realities must be acknowledged.

Any new technologies must meet customers’ desires in order for sales to occur. Advanced powertrains can’t be counted on in the near- to mid-term.

Reviewing the challenges, Modlin said that existing tailpipe regulations appear to allow some flexibility for light duty diesel -- but these phase out by 2007, which doesn’t allow a sufficient time span to develop and market a vehicle cost effectively. In addition, the requisite fuel won’t be ready by 2004. The proposed sulfur cap of 15 ppm is not adequate to support after-treatment technologies. What this means is that new diesel engines are effectively choked out of the market by 2004 unless better fuel becomes available.

He added that customers require improved cetane levels for better start up, reduced smoke and noise, and a smoother ride. US cetane levels are very low. (He also noted that the proposed regulations neglect to set limits on aromatics.)

In conclusion, he said that diesel offers the only option to significantly improve fuel economy in the near term, but the timing and stringency of emissions and fuel regulations are inconsistent and counterproductive. Fuel quality must improve beyond the current proposals.
 
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