Fuel for diesel engines (Audi 80 B3)

Table of contents: Operation in winter conditions ↓ Recommendations for refueling with… ↓

Diesel fuel must comply with DIN 51601 standards with a cetane number of at least 45.

Operation in winter conditions

In winter, it is not recommended to use summer types of diesel fuel.

At temperatures below 0°C, the paraffin components separate, thicken and have a negative impact on engine performance.

Therefore, in winter conditions, frost-resistant grades of diesel fuel with characteristics corresponding to the air temperature in winter in a given climate zone should be used. In extreme cases, both winter and summer grades can be used during this period, but in this case, they will need to be diluted with regular leaded or unleaded gasoline (just not the Super brand). Due to the fact that in this case there is a decrease in engine power, it is necessary to adhere to the following mixing proportions (maximum - 30%):

The fuel mixture proportions table is calculated taking into account the vehicle operating conditions in Germany.

For safety reasons, mixing must be done in the fuel tank, with gasoline being added first.

It is advisable to do this in a timely manner, while the diesel fuel has not yet thickened.

If it has already thickened and the engine does not start, place the car in a heated garage or room for a while.

Mixing diesel fuel with any other additives is not recommended.

Recommendations for refueling with another type of fuel

Filling up with normal gasoline instead of Super-98

It is permissible to operate the engine on this fuel, but only in exceptional cases, and even then the octane number of the gasoline should not be lower than 91. In this case, the engine should only operate at medium speeds and with minimal load.

A sharp load at full throttle and high RPM can damage the engine. At the first opportunity, immediately replace the fuel with the required brand Super-95 or 98.

Unleaded gasoline Super-95 instead of leaded gasoline

As an exception, short-term operation of the engine on this brand of fuel is also permitted.

At the same time, as in the previous section, high loads on it should be avoided due to the lower detonation properties of this gasoline.

For longer operation, appropriate engine adjustment is required.

Leaded gasoline instead of unleaded

If there are catalytic converters, the use of leaded gasoline is excluded. It may damage the exhaust gas cleaning system.

If this happens, the entire fuel system must be cleaned of this fuel. It is best to clean it at a service station.

Gasoline instead of diesel fuel

The engine can be operated on mixed fuel, but with a concentration of no more than 30%. If, through carelessness, a larger amount of gasoline or Super gasoline is poured into the diesel fuel tank, the fuel mixture will have to be drained and the entire fuel system cleaned.