If you are a driver aware of the quality of the fuel used in your vehicle, you have probably heard of the different types of diesel available on the market. Two of the most common types are the diesel S10 and diesel S500. But after all, what is the difference between them?
In this article, we will explain the specifications of each one and highlight the advantages of each type of diesel. Let's go!
What is S10 diesel?
S10 diesel is a type of fuel with a low sulfur content, as defined by the National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANP). The “S” in S10 refers to the sulfur content present in diesel, with the number 10 indicating that this type of diesel has a maximum of 10 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur.
Therefore, this low sulfur content makes S10 diesel a cleaner and less polluting option compared to other types of diesel that have higher sulfur contents. Reducing sulfur emissions from S10 diesel contributes to preserving the environment and improving air quality.
Furthermore, S10 diesel is known for offering better engine performance and more efficient burning, which can result in fuel savings for vehicles using this type of diesel.
Fuel performance is directly related to the cetane number present in the composition of each type, which we call octane. In a nutshell, the higher the octane, the more efficient the diesel. While the S10 diesel has an octane rating of 48, the S500 diesel has an octane rating of 42. Therefore, the S10 diesel has superior performance.
Due to these advantages, more modern vehicles with emission reduction technologies certainly use S10 diesel.
What is S500 diesel?
On the other hand, S500 diesel is a type of diesel fuel that has a slightly higher sulfur content compared to S10 diesel. This type of diesel contains a maximum of 500 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur and is intended for vehicles manufactured before 2012.
The S500 diesel was an intermediate step in reducing sulfur emissions from diesel fuels. Previously, it was common to use diesel with even higher sulfur content, which resulted in greater air pollution and harmful emissions to the environment.
With advancing environmental regulations and growing concerns about air quality, low sulfur fuels such as S500 diesel have been developed as a measure to reduce pollution caused by diesel vehicles.
Main differences between S10 diesel and S500 diesel
The main difference between diesel S10 and diesel S500 is the amount of sulfur present in each type of fuel. S10 diesel has a significantly lower sulfur content than S500 diesel, meaning it is a cleaner and less polluting option. However, there are other advantages to using these fuels, check them out below!
Advantages of the S10 diesel
- Better engine performance: S10 diesel is known to offer a more efficient burn, which can result in better engine performance and faster vehicle response.
- Less engine wear: With less sulfur, S10 diesel tends to cause less wear and tear on the engine, extending the vehicle's useful life.
- Lower deposit formation: The S10 diesel is less likely to form deposits in the fuel system, keeping the engine's internal components cleaner.
- future: The trend is for the S10 diesel to become the new diesel standard, and the S500 diesel to cease production.
Advantages of the S500 diesel
- Wide availability: The S500 diesel is still more widely available at gas stations.
- Lower cost: In some cases, the S500 diesel may have a little lower price compared to the S10 diesel. This can represent savings for the driver when refueling.
- Compatibility: This diesel is for vehicles manufactured before 2012.
Which diesel should I choose?
The choice between the S10 diesel and the S500 diesel will depend on some important factors. If your vehicle is equipped with a more modern engine and emission reduction technologies, the S10 diesel will be the best option due to its environmental and performance benefits.
On the other hand, if your vehicle is older and not designed to use the S10 diesel, like pre-2012 models, the S500 diesel will still be the appropriate choice. Therefore, it is essential to check the vehicle owner's manual to determine which type of diesel is recommended by the manufacturer.
Diesel-powered vehicles
With the advancement of diesel engine technology, today they have become less polluting, more resistant and have a longer useful life than gasoline engines of equivalent size. Furthermore, they use a more economical fuel compared to those widely used in Brazil, such as alcohol and gasoline.
These improvements have a positive impact on the driver's expenses for vehicle maintenance and parts. Although vehicles with a diesel engine may have a higher price at the time of purchase, the savings over time on maintenance and fuel consumption become notable.
We have two other articles that we think you will enjoy. The first talks about 4 effective solutions to improve your car's fuel consumption. The other is a curiosity about “Why are there no small diesel cars in Brazil?".
How to improve the performance of your diesel vehicle Strike Brasil
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