Diesel seems simple until acronyms, warnings on the fuel filler, and gas station stories start popping up. For beginners, understanding the basics avoids silly mistakes and headaches.
Below is a concise checklist, focused on Brazil, with three essential points and some common myths that keep circulating.
1) What S10 and S500 really mean
The letters don’t indicate “power” or “premium quality.” The number shows the amount of sulfur in the fuel.
- **S10**: up to 10 parts of sulfur per million. It’s the cleanest diesel. - **S500**: up to 500 parts per million. It follows an older environmental standard.
Less sulfur means fewer pollutant emissions and better compatibility with modern engines.
2) Where each type should be used
This is where one of the most common beginner mistakes happens.
- **Newer vehicles** (generally from the 2010s onward): use **S10**. The emissions control system was designed for it. - **Older vehicles** and some off-road applications: may still use **S500**, according to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Mixing them because you “think it’s the same” is not a good idea. The vehicle manual remains the safest reference.
3) Impact on the environment and maintenance
S10 isn’t just an environmental requirement on paper.
- Reduces smoke and strong odors from the exhaust. - Helps preserve emissions system components. - Contributes to less polluted air in cities.
S500, because it has more sulfur, tends to generate more residues and wear in engines that weren’t designed for it.
Common myth: “S10 gets better mileage than S500”
Fuel economy doesn’t come from the number on the pump. It depends on factors such as:
- Engine condition. - Driving style. - Load carried and type of route.
S10 wasn’t created to make the vehicle go farther per liter, but to pollute less and work better in modern engines.
Common myth: “Using S10 in an old engine damages the vehicle”
In many cases, S10 can be used without issues in older engines. What matters is the manufacturer’s recommendation.
The bigger concern is the opposite: using **S500 in an engine that requires S10** can cause failures and higher maintenance costs.
Quick checklist before refueling
- Check the manual to see which diesel the vehicle requires. - Look at the pump label (S10 or S500). - Be wary of explanations like “this one is better for any car.”
With these basics in mind, diesel stops being a mystery and becomes just another informed choice in the Brazilian routine.
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