Biodiesel FAQ

What is biodiesel?

Propel biodiesel is a clean-burning, domestically-produced fuel, derived from 100% renewable resources like soybeans, canola and mustard seed easily accessible to drivers at our Clean Fuel Points. Unlike regular diesel or gasoline, biodiesel reduces harmful carbon emissions yet delivers equivalent performance.

What are the benefits to using biodiesel?

Among the many benefits, biodiesel:

Reduces global warming by lowering environmentally harmful CO2 vehicle emissions by more than 78%
It lowers our dependence on foreign oil and increases national security
Supports local and regional farmers, offering them a new revenue stream.

Do I need to convert my diesel vehicle to run Propel biodiesel?

No. Quite to the contrary, in fact. Any diesel engine can use biodiesel, either in pure form or in a blend with petroleum diesel. Propel offers two biodiesel blends B99 (99.9 % biodiesel) and B20 (20% biodiesel, 80% petro-diesel)

Can I convert a gasoline powered car to run on diesel?

While it can be done, it is not cost effective to transition a gasoline vehicle to diesel.

How does biodiesel perform in cold weather?

When nearing freezing temperatures (32° F), some biodiesel can begin to cloud, crystallize and plug your fuel filter. However, Propel biodiesel is specially formulated for winter use, and keeps your engine performing well in freezing temperatures. Note: If filling with another biodiesel brand, biodiesel other than Propel, we recommend you adjust your fuel ratios to a 50% biodiesel, 50% petroleum diesel blend minimum in temps under 32° F.

Can I switch between Propel biodiesel and petro-diesel?

Yes, diesel engines can switch back and forth between biodiesel and petro-diesel at any time. You can fuel your vehicle with 100 percent biodiesel (B100) or mix it with regular diesel. Propel offers two biodiesel blends B99 (99.9 % biodiesel) and B20 (20% biodiesel, 80% petro-diesel)

Does Propel biodiesel yield more energy than it takes to produce?

Yes, absolutely! Propel biodiesel provides 220% more energy, including all the energy used to grow the fuelstock, refine that fuelstock into biodiesel, and then transport and distribute that biodiesel to users. All this, while yielding more energy and fuel independence than both petro-diesel and gasoline.

Where does Propel’s vegetable oil come from?

Propel uses the most local feedstock that meets our quality and price standards, working with local farmers and producers to offer regionally grown and produced fuel at our locations.

If crops are grown to make fuel, will there be less for our food supply?

No, biodiesel feedstocks produce both meal for food, and oil for biodiesel. Propel only partners with providers who use fuelstocks that do not adversely affect the environment or fellow human beings.

Does biodiesel impact food cost?

Not directly, Petroleum cost is the largest driver of food prices. Several factors drive crop prices including seasonal weather, crop output, transportation costs and demand. On a positive note, American farmers have seen a small increase in crop value based on biodiesel driven demand. As such, biodiesel fuelstocks provide a dependable market for American farmers, helping to stabilize their income. The characteristics of biodiesel fuelstocks also provide an opportunity to expand into unused available land, offering additional revenue to our domestic farmers.

Can biodiesel void my manufacturer warranty?

No, this is a myth. Vehicle manufacturer warranties specifically exclude “intentional or unintentional mis-fueling” – whether the fuel is biodiesel, petro-diesel or gasoline. If poor fuel causes engine damage, the fuel producer is responsible for repair costs. So we suggest you always use Propel’s quality-certified ASTM biodiesel, backed by our guarentee to fix or replace any damage to your fuel system if our fuel was determined to be the cause of that damage.

* Whether or not a biodiesel blend is “recommended” by your automaker is separate from the question of whether the use of biodiesel affects engine warranty coverage. Make sure you know exactly what your automaker specifies.
* Because vehicle warranties only cover parts and workmanship, fuel is not covered under any vehicle warranty.
* Conversely, if consumers that use biodiesel have an engine failure unrelated to the use of biodiesel and the cause is found to be faulty parts or workmanship, then the failure would be covered by the warranty.
* If a customer brings in a vehicle that has used biodiesel and the customer is told that the warranty is voided solely because the customer is using biodiesel, this violates the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
* A vehicle’s warranty cannot be voided solely due to the use of biodiesel.

To know your rights, we recommend reading: Understanding the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
For complete manufacturers' statements, please visit www.biodiesel.org.

What vehicle manufacturers currently sell diesels?

At present, diesel passenger vehicles are available from Volkswagen, Jeep and Mercedes Benz. Diesel trucks and vans are available from Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge and GMC. The majority of commercial vehicles available today are diesel. Visit Vehicles for more information.

Are new diesel models coming soon?

Yes, in the EU the majority of new passenger vehicles sold are diesel, and that technology will soon be available in the US. Beginning and 2008 and 2009, new diesel passenger vehicles will be available from Audi, BMW, Honda, Jeep, Mercedes, Mini, Nissan, Subaru and Volkswagen.Visit Vehicles for more information.

Does Propel Biodiesel increase my engine’s life and performance?

Yes. The lubricity in biodiesel is higher than petro-diesel, and that’s great news for your engine considering your vehicle is likely the second biggest purchase of your life. Propel’s clean-burning biodiesel can translate into less-frequent oil changes over the life of your vehicle, as well, caving you money. Some biodiesel users find the engine power and mileage to be the same, yet many get even better mileage. Many studies are also showing a reduction in engine wear with biodiesel.

What if I can’t find biodiesel midway through a trip?

No worries. Propel biodiesel can be blended with any amount of petro-diesel, or you may run exclusively on petro-diesel as no modifications need to be made to your vehicle.

Can Propel biodiesel be used in an older diesel vehicle?

Yes, if you drive a pre-1990 diesel vehicle, we suggest you update your original rubber hoses and gaskets to the synthetic Viton® brand. This is because biodiesel naturally cleans your engine as you drive, drastically increasing the life of your engine. As such, the dirty byproduct can slowly degrade any natural or nylon hose or gasket. For more information visit Driving with Biodiesel.