Diesel powered vehicle questions
back to FAQ index

1. Can my diesel vehicle fuel at SeQuential? Do I need a conversion?

2. Can I switch back and forth from SeQuential to other stations? Does my tank have to be empty before switching over?

3. What are the benefits of using SeQuential’s biodiesel?

4. Diesel Vehicles: understanding fuel blend options

5. What is SeQuential’s biodiesel made from? Where is it made?

6. Does using SeQuential’s fuel void my warranty? Does the use of biodiesel void my warranty?

1. Can my diesel vehicle fuel at SeQuential? Do I need a conversion?

Everyone and every vehicle can use cleaner-burning fuel from the SeQuential Station. Diesel vehicles do not need a conversion.

Every diesel vehicle can use a blend of biodiesel and petroleum diesel. The two fuels can be blended together in any ratio. Common blends are:

• B5 Diesel (5% biodiesel) for all diesel vehicles
• B20 Blend (20% biodiesel) for all diesel vehicles
• B99 Biodiesel (99.9% biodiesel) for most diesel vehicles with simple precautions.

[top]

2. Can I switch back and forth from SeQuential to other stations? Does my tank have to be empty before switching over?

You can switch back and forth between SeQuential and other stations. SeQuential’s cleaner burning biofuel blends will mix with any diesel in your fuel tank – it does not have to be all the way empty when you fill up.

[top]

3. What are the benefits of using SeQuential’s biodiesel?

Lower emissions. - the average car emits 12,100 pounds per year of carbon dioxide. (CO2 is a greenhouse gas).

By switching to SeQuential’s cleaner burning, biofuel blended fuels:

• Diesel vehicles using B5 Diesel reduce CO2 emissions by up to 3.9%
• Diesel vehicles using B20 Blend reduce CO2 emissions by up to 15.6%
• Diesel vehicles using B99 Biodiesel reduce CO2 emissions by up to 78%

• All Biofuel is cleaner burning and produces “contemporary carbon” that is recycled year-to-year. Plants grow, pulling carbon from the atmosphere; they are turned into Biofuel and burned, releasing carbon that is then absorbed during the next growing cycle. Petroleum fuels release carbon into the atmosphere that was previously stored underground; fossil fuels cannot recycle their carbon.

Cleaner.  Bioethanol has a higher octane and cleans out fuel systems (E10 Gasoline has an octane rating of 89; E85 Bioethanol has an octane rating of 115).

Local.  SeQuential is committed sourcing local fuel whenever possible, with a strong preference for recycled or sustainably harvested materials.

• Local and domestic production of fuel increases energy security and helps the domestic economy, keeping dollars at home and creating jobs.

For more reading:
Personal CO2 Emissions: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html
National Renewable Energy Laboratories: http://www.nrel.gov/biomass/
Biodiesel information: http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel.html
Argonne National Laboratories: http://www.transportation.anl.gov/research/engine/index.html

[top]

4. Diesel Vehicles: understanding fuel blend options

Every diesel vehicle can use a Biodiesel blend. All vehicles can use B5 Diesel or B20 Blend. With some precautions, some vehicles can use B99 Biodiesel.

Using Biodiesel decreases emissions, lessening global warming. It also increases cetane (the diesel version of octane) and increases lubricity, keeping your engine running smoothly.

B5 Diesel is a great blend for people looking to increase the lubricity of their fuel, keeping their engines running smoothly. SeQuential’s B5 Diesel is a premium diesel that delivers better performance and decreases carbon dioxide emissions by about 4%. For the average driver that is a decrease of about 610 pounds of CO2 per year!

B20 Blend is a great blend for people who want the benefits of using a high blend of biodiesel without having to take the considerations for B99 Biodiesel use into mind. SeQuential’s B20 Blend is a premium diesel that delivers better performance and decreases carbon dioxide emissions by about 17%. For the average driver that is a decrease of about 2,400 pounds of CO2 per year!

B99 Biodiesel is a great blend for people who want to create the biggest positive impact possible with their fuel use. SeQuential’s B99 Biodiesel is a premium diesel that delivers better performance and decreases carbon dioxide emissions by about 80%. For the average driver that is a decrease of about 11,300 pounds of CO2 per year!

Before using biodiesel blends above B20 Blend, take the Three Considerations of high-blend Biodiesel Use in mind:

1. Vehicles made before 1993 have natural rubber in their fuel system, which is incompatible with high blends of Biodiesel. Switch out these fuel lines to commonly found synthetic rubber lines.
2. Biodiesel will clean petroleum deposits out of fuel systems. It doesn’t always happen, but be aware that when first switching over to Biodiesel, there is the possibility that the gunk flushing out of your system could clog your fuel filter. As a precaution, you can keep an extra fuel filter in your trunk; if you notice a loss of power, any mechanic can switch your filter out for you and you will be back on the road. If you have a fuel filter with a small micron size, 2 micron or below, or a water blocking (hydrophobic) fuel filter, use a maximum of B20 Blend.
3. In colder weather, Biodiesel will start to gel. SeQuential recommends using B50 Blend (50% Biodiesel and 50% petroleum diesel) when temperatures are below 45F. Below 20F, SeQuential recommends B20 Blend. You can either buy premixed blends or mix in your fuel tank, preferably with the diesel added first, Biodiesel added second.

[top]

5. What is SeQuential’s biodiesel made from? Where is it made?

SeQuential uses recycled, local and sustainably grown fuel products whenever possible. A good portion of the SeQuential fuel comes from the SeQuential-Pacific plant in Salem Oregon. Locally sourced used cooking oil, locally grown canola are the primary feedstocks).

In 2004, SeQuential formed a joint venture with Pacific Biodiesel of Maui to form SeQuential-Pacific Biodiesel (SQPB). SQPB opened Oregon’s first Biodiesel production facility in 2004, making one million gallons of biodiesel per year out of used cooking oil and Oregon-grown canola. The facility is currently expanding to five million gallons per year capacity.

[top]

6. Does using SeQuential’s fuel void my warranty? Does the use of biodiesel void my warranty?

No – auto manufacturers do not extend their warranties to the fuel. Since most auto manufacturers and mechanics are not familiar with biofuels, they will often incorrectly blame mechanical problems on biofuel. Theoretically, if you bought a tank of ‘bad fuel’, the fuel provider would be the one to cover your repair costs, and your auto manufacturer would not void your warranty. To do this, it must be proven that the fuel does not meet quality specifications.

All SeQuential Biofuel meets or exceeds ASTM Specifications, a set of rigorous guidelines that ensures quality fuel. SeQuential is proud of our commitment to quality and we stand behind our Biofuel. In our five plus years of operating, with 10,000+ customers, we have never had to file a fuel quality claim with our insurance provider.

Warranty information: http://www.biofuels4business.com/Engine_Warranties.html
ASTM standard for Biodiesel: http://www.astm.org/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/DATABASE.CART/REDLINE_PAGES/D6751.htm?E+mystore

[top]