Biodiesel use has environmental benefits, provides energy independence, supports local and rural communities, and provides superior engine performance.  

Petroleum diesel pollution is a serious health threat and contains more than 40 air toxins, while biodiesel significantly lowers tailpipe emissions of sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and carcinogenic particulate matter.  Biodiesel also decreases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions related to global warming.  Click here for more information on the health benefits of biodiesel.

Domestically produced biodiesel reduces our dependence on foreign oil and helps provide energy independence.  Domestic biodiesel also supports rural and local economic development by supporting American farmers that grow oilseed crops used for making the fuel.  Biodiesel is produced by national and local producers, many of which are located in rural communities.

Biodiesel provides superior lubricity and cetane than petroleum diesel.  Sufficient fuel lubricity is necessary to reduce equipment wear and premature breakdown. Biodiesel’s higher lubricity enhances engine performance, prolongs engine life and decreases vehicle operating costs. 

What is biodiesel? 

Biodiesel is a cleaner burning, renewable fuel for diesel engines made from oilseed crops (like canola or soybean) or from used cooking oil and other fats. Biodiesel can be used in existing diesel engines with little or no mechanical modification.

Biodiesel has many benefits. It is simple to use, biodegradable and nontoxic.  Biodiesel can be blended at any level with standard petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. Typical blends used are B5 (a blend of 5% biodiesel and 95% petroleum diesel), B20, B50, and B99. Biodiesel is registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use as a fuel and as a fuel additive. 

How can I use biodiesel?

Biodiesel can be used in any diesel application - diesel cars, trucks, boats, generators, construction and farm equipment, and in furnaces that use home heating oil. 

If I start using biodiesel, can I go back to petroleum diesel?

Yes! With biodiesel, you can easily switch back and forth between biodiesel and petroleum diesel, and between various biodiesel blends. 

Does biodiesel perform as well as petroleum diesel?

A major benefit of biodiesel is that it can be used in diesel engines and fuel injection equipment with little impact on operating performance. While biodiesel has slightly lower BTUs (energy content) than petroleum diesel, biodiesel has a higher cetane number than diesel (similar to higher octane in gasoline) which results in a more complete combustion of the fuel. This higher cetane also results in easier starting, smoother running engine performance, and quieter, more reliable operation.  Biodiesel improves engine efficiency, can improve the power output of the engine, and results in less white smoke.

Are there maintenance issues with biodiesel?

Biodiesel users appreciate that their fuel can be used in any diesel engine with little or no modification to the engine or fuel system. With higher blends of biodiesel (higher than B20), fuel filters may need to be changed after the initial biodiesel switch and precautions may need to be taken in cold weather. Certain materials in pre-1995 engines (such as natural rubber) are not compatible with biodiesel and can be easily replaced with biodiesel-compatible materials.  Go to www.nwbiodiesel.org or www.nwbiofuels.org for more information. 

How does biodiesel impact my engine warranty?

Engine manufacturers’ warranties only cover the manufacturers’ parts and workmanship. These warranties do not cover fuel whether it’s petroleum diesel or biodiesel.  The use of biodiesel in diesel engines does not void these warranties, even if the blend of biodiesel (such as B99) is higher than what the manufacturer approves.  Engine manufacturers can not void an engine’s warranty due to the use of biodiesel under the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act.  If there are engine problems caused by a fuel (whether that fuel is petroleum diesel or biodiesel) these problems are the responsibility of the fuel supplier. If an engine problem is the result of faulty parts or workmanship and not resulting from the fuel, the engine manufacturer must honor the warranty.

What about fuel quality?

All commercially sold biodiesel in the Northwest is required by law to meet quality standards created specifically for biodiesel known as ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) D 6751. These technical standards ensure consistent, high quality fuel that will perform properly in diesel engines.

Want more information on biodiesel?

(Click on the subjects below. Downloadable PDFs coming soon!)

Marine Use

Your Car or Truck

Health Benefits

Heating Your Home

Sustainability

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