Ambiguous Diesel Signs

[artnefsky]

I have a 2010 Jetta TDI Cup Edition, and the wife filled the tank with, the sign says "Diesel # 2". But on the pump it shows "95% Biomass-Based Diesel Blend". "contains more than 20% biomass-based diesel or biodiesel".
What do you guys think of this?
Is this fuel safe to use in my car?
The fuel station is the Speedway on University Ave. in San Diego. I emailed Speedway's corporate office for a clarification, but have not received an answer yet.
Thanks in advance.
Arthur Nefsky

 

[dieseldonato]

I doubt it's going to hurt anything, bio diesel has been around for quite some time. Biggest thing to worry about is it absorbing water and growing algae, but not typically an issue with a daily driver. There is also "synthetic" diesel that's made from plant material but it supposedly is more or less the same as regular #2 diesel and can be used interchangeably.

 

[Lightflyer1]

Regular bio should not be used in these cars at more than 20% concentration. This more than likely is not regular bio. It should prove no issue to your car. California has been selling some bio that is different than the regular bio, also called renewable bio. Probably this:

California refiners shift production to renewable diesel

cen.acs.org

 

[atc98002]

I would not use that fuel until receiving clarification from the provider. If it truly is B95, your engine will NOT like it. If it's renewable diesel (I've never heard of these pumps ever marked as Bio-D) then it's completely compatible with your engine. But since it's specifically marked as "greater than 20%" biodiesel, it doesn't sound like it's a compatible fuel.

 

[Lightflyer1]

Highly doubt any major service station is selling B95 in California. But check anyway if you want.

 

[TDIMeister]

On a recent trip to California, I specifically looked for stations that had Renewable Diesel. 76 has its Fuel Forward app to find stations with RD and also gives nice discounts to pay from the app (I saved 60 cents per gallon on my first fill-up and I believe 35 thereafter).

*30¢ is a combined savings of 5¢ everyday off per gallon and an extra 25¢ off per gallon when you purchase Renewable Diesel through the Fuel Forward™ App (limit 30 gallons). Offer valid through 12/31/2023. Participating locations only in California. Can be combined with other offers. 5¢ everyday savings offer can only be applied once per transaction.

More germane to the OP's inquiry, you're getting R95, not B95. The sign does say 95% biomass-based, which is true of either RD or BD, but it's highly unlikely it's dispensing BD. If it's a 76-brand station or one listed on https://propelfuels.com/locations then it's certainly Renewable Diesel.

Incidentally, we drove my wife's Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec on this road trip, and I got limp mode and a CEL after a fillup of B20 (6-20% Biodiesel) in Oregon and continued with 3 fillups of R95/R99 in California. The car had pre-existing issues though, and had the emissions system fixed back in April. I don't think they're related incidents. Just last week, after the road trip, the DPF differential pressure sensor and SCR pre-heater were replaced under extended warranty. 500 miles after the most recent fix, no more limp mode and CEL.

PS: I used Power Service Diesel Kleen at every fillup.

 

[Stromaluski]

I have a 2010 Jetta TDI Cup Edition, and the wife filled the tank with, the sign says "Diesel # 2". But on the pump it shows "95% Biomass-Based Diesel Blend". "contains more than 20% biomass-based diesel or biodiesel".
What do you guys think of this?
Is this fuel safe to use in my car?
The fuel station is the Speedway on University Ave. in San Diego. I emailed Speedway's corporate office for a clarification, but have not received an answer yet.
Thanks in advance.
Arthur Nefsky

PM'd about your Cup Edition. I run a Cup Edition Registry.