Determine the freezing point of diesel
If you drive your diesel vehicle into the mountains in autumn, a sudden cold snap and temperatures well below zero can cause you to get stuck with your car. The reason is the insufficient cold resistance of summer diesel. If you want to determine the freezing point of your fuel, pay attention to the type and time of year when filling up with diesel.
When it is freezing cold in Germany, more and more diesel vehicles have problems. Suddenly you stop lying there. Gasoline engines do not have this problem. Does diesel have a lower freezing point than petrol?
Freezing point of diesel varies depending on the season
Not only do people freeze at temperatures below 20 degrees below zero, cars also have their problems when there is severe frost. If in winter Diesel engines strike, this is mostly related to the diesel fuel and the entire fuel system.
- The diesel, which is available at petrol stations in summer, is intended for temperatures down to freezing point in accordance with the standard. Sudden changes in temperature from plus and minus degrees can lead to malfunctions regardless of the cold resistance. The reason for this is humidity. This collects in the form of water through tank breathing on the bottom of the tank. At temperatures below freezing point, ice plugs then obstruct the diesel supply.
- If you fill up on summer diesel in southern Europe in winter and then head to the Alps, you may have a problem. Always empty the tank and fill up with winter diesel before a trip into the high mountains.
Premium types of fuel guarantee a CFPP value of minus 24 degrees
You cannot determine the freezing point of diesel yourself. Diesel is standardized (DIN EN 590) and delivered to filling stations depending on the season.
Diesel drivers should know that temperature is important with diesel fuel. That …
- With summer diesel, the freezing point, also known as the CFPP value, is 0 degrees. From November 16 until 03/01 Every year, diesel fuel has to withstand temperatures down to minus 20 degrees.
- From 01.03. until April 15th the freezing point is minus 10 degrees. High-priced premium fuels have a guaranteed CFPP value of up to 24 degrees below zero. The values achieved are even 28 to 32 degrees below zero.
- In Scandinavia, polar diesel is still offered as a winter fuel. With the help of other additives, diesel can be used at temperatures well below minus 40 degrees.
Since you cannot determine the freezing point of diesel yourself, you have to be able to rely on your petrol station. However, when delivering to petrol stations, there is sometimes a mixing of summer and winter diesel. This then reduces the suitability for winter.
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