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FAQ: The Use of Biodiesel with Cummins Automotive Engines

Issued: 05/23/05

Interest in reducing national dependency on petroleum-based fuels has led to increased attention on biodiesel as a renewable, alternative non-petroleum based fuel for diesel engines. This FAQ sheet addresses some of the questions regarding its use with Cummins automotive engines in North America:

1. Which Cummins engines can be used with biodiesel?

2. Some vehicles already using higher than B5 - is this okay?

3. What's preventing you from moving to B20 and above?

4. Will your 2007 engines be biodiesel capable?

5. Is biodiesel more environmentally-friendly than standard diesel?

6. What fuel specifications are in place for biodiesel?

7. How does using biodiesel affect your engine warranty?

8. What is Cummins position on alternative fuels?

9. Are there any biodiesel mandatory requirements on the horizon?

1. Which Cummins engines can be used with biodiesel?

Cummins has completed evaluations which enable us to confirm that B5 biodiesel blend is suitable for use with the full range of Cummins automotive engines in North America, covering applications in truck, bus, motorhome and the Dodge Ram pickup truck.

B5 is a fuel blend of 5 percent pure biodiesel with 95 percent standard petroleum diesel.

No modification to the engine is needed to enable it to operate on B5 biodiesel and no impact on engine performance, durability or maintenance is anticipated with its use.

Users of B5 biodiesel should ensure that the fuel is of a consistent, high quality standard appropriate for that of a high performance Cummins diesel engine.

2. Some vehicles are already using higher than B5 - is this okay?

Cummins can only confirm at this point that biodiesel no higher than 5 percent blend (B5) is suitable for use with our engines. We would advise our customers not to use anything above B5 levels with a Cummins engine until our evaluations are completed.

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6. What fuel specifications are in place for biodiesel?

The industry is aware of significant variations in biodiesel specifications and quality, particularly with regard to consistency and fuel stability. As the production and distribution of biodiesel has grown so dramatically it has outpaced the ability of the industry to conduct the appropriate engine performance and fuel specification evaluations. This has been further complicated by the wide variety of blend percentages available. Cummins is undertaking evaluation programs focused on establishing an agreed industry standard of biodiesel fuel consistency and quality. The program is running in conjunction with the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials).

It should be emphasized that Cummins, in common with all other engine manufacturers, emission certifies engines only to meet the prescribed EPA (or other local regulatory agency) registered fuels for on-highway applications. It is the engine user's responsibility to use the correct fuel prescribed by these regulations and as recommended by the engine manufacturer.

The EPA has regulated the nation's highway diesel fuel quality since 1993 to ensure it is compatible with meeting engine emissions standards and air quality goals. It is the responsibility of the user to obtain the proper local, regional, or national exemptions required for the use of biodiesel in any emissions regulated Cummins engine.

7. How does using biodiesel affect your engine warranty?

The use of biodiesel does not affect the Cummins materials and workmanship warranty. However, any engine failure or performance issue caused by the use of biodiesel or other fuel additives cannot be considered as defects of the Cummins engine, components or workmanship - and would therefore not be covered by Cummins warranty. This is no different from our position with any regular diesel fuel. Cummins does not cover the damage caused by products from other companies that may have insufficient quality. It is important to ensure when using any diesel fuel or a B5 biodiesel blend with a Cummins engine that the fuel meets industry acceptable quality standards.

8. What is Cummins position on alternative fuels?

Cummins fully supports the use of environmentally beneficial alternative fuels. Our full range of truck, bus and RV engines are compatible with operating on B5 biodiesel to help encourage the greater use of renewable, domestically grown fuel. In May 2005 we announced B5 biodiesel capability for the Cummins Turbo Diesel available in the popular Dodge Ram pickup truck, bringing the option of using this fuel to a much wider range of customers.

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We are by far the largest supplier of natural gas fueled engines in North America through our Cummins Westport joint venture, who are also undertaking important development work on Hydrogen Compressed Natural Gas (HCNG) engines. Cummins has played a leading role in the emerging technology of diesel-electric hybrid buses, providing an environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient solution for transit operations in U.S. cities and national parks

9. Are there any biodiesel mandatory requirements on the horizon?

We understand that several States and municipalities in the US are considering mandating the use of low level levels of biodiesel in diesel fuel. We are also aware that the Provincial Government in Ontario, Canada has discussed the possibility of making biodiesel mandatory for commercial vehicles. If mandatory requirements are introduced, these must first take into account the need for biodiesel fuel specifications with agreed consistency and quality standards. Also, at this point, Cummins cannot confirm the suitability of our engines for biodiesel blends above fivepercent (B5).

END

"All engine and vehicle manufacturers provide a material and workmanship warranty on the products they manufacture. Such warranties do not cover damage or problems caused by external factors or elements they dont produce or control, such as the type of fuel or additives used in the engine. Thus, if an engine experiences a failure that is caused by a fuel or a fuel additive no matter if the fuel or additive is biodiesel, regular petroleum diesel, or an after market additive -the damage generally will not be covered by the OEMs equipment and workmanship warranty." (Source: National Biodiesel Board).

I know a guy that had a so-called repair shop supposedly "convert" his Ram Mega Cab 3500HD to run on waste French Fry oil. This was in 2008 when fuel prices were driving business owners to look for any way to cut costs. If only he had read his owners manual first, or at the very least asked a dealership beforehand, he would have saved himself a lot of grief and a great deal of money. Any dealership would have strongly advised him not to waste his money.

First, waste French Fry oil is not biodiesel by any industry standards. Second, Cummins states no more than a 5% biodiesel mix is allowed by their specs.

When you have heavy loads to haul like he did, you need a heavy duty truck. There is no getting around that or we'd see Toyota Prius' hauling 48 foot trailers instead of Freightliners. You need big frames, big brakes and a whole lot of torque. The Dodge Cummins Ram is already more fuel efficient than its competition. He should have saved his money.

You said "the local Dodge dealership simply refused to honor my warranty BASED ENTIRELY UPON my additional system installed on this vehicle." ANY alterations to the original vehicle system are reason for the warranty to be null and void. You altered the vehicle that the original warranty covered, so therefore, your vehicle is not covered. Sucks but is true. Similar situtation happened to my uncle.