Off-Road or Non-Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel in Detroit Engines

Communication Type: Service Programs

Date: 10/14/2026

 Various state and federal government agencies have recently announced actions to increase availability or reduce cost of diesel fuel in recent weeks, and news articles have communicated these allowances with varying levels of accuracy. These actions include suggesting that red-dyed off-road diesel fuel be used in on-road engines. Additionally, EPA has made temporary allowances for the production and use of non-Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (non-ULSD) fuel up to 500 ppm in some locations. Detroit Diesel Corporation urges caution as certain restrictions remain and failure to follow them could result in unwarrantable engine or aftertreatment system damage. 

Specifically, for the production and use of non-ULSD fuel that EPA has approved, this use has specific limitations:

1. The waiver is limited to highway and nonroad vehicles and nonroad equipment originally certified for operation on low sulfur diesel fuel (< 500 ppm S);

2. The non-ULSD fuel is not used in any diesel-powered vehicles that is equipped with a diesel particulate filter or catalytic emission control technology;

3. The non-ULSD fuel must be segregated from any fuel that is sold or labeled as ULSD fuel, and;

4. To prevent or minimize instances of misfuelling, persons distributing and dispensing non-ULSD fuel under this waiver must provide adequate warning to the owners or operators.

Regardless of any statements to the contrary, fuel used in Detroit engines must meet ASTM D975 specification and the requirements listed in the Detroit Fuel Brochure (DDC-SVC-BRO-0120), including a limit of 15 ppm sulfur for EPA07 and later engines. Use of fuels beyond these specifications can damage engine or aftertreatment components and cannot be warranted by Detroit. Accordingly, vehicle operators are encouraged to choose fuel providers carefully for applying best practices with their products.

Vehicles fueled outside these boundaries could experience increased failures. We reserve the right to deny warranty claims for failures that are related to the use of out-of-spec fuelband we may use any information, including fuel samples, analysis of failed components, or review of refueling locations as reported by telematics, to deny those claims. Use of any dyed fuel may indicate blending or nonconforming fuel. Care should be taken before using such fuel in 2007 or later engines, as doing so may result in unwarrantable claims.