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Do semi tractor trailers use the same diesel fuel as a car or is special blend?

Diesel fuel for both cars and semi-tractor trailers is mostly the same in composition. The primary requirement is that diesel used in semi-trucks complies with the regulations that are set by regional or national standards, such as the European EN590 or the American ASTM D975.

While the chemical makeup is similar, there may be some minor variations in the additives used in different formulations of diesel fuel. The additives can alter the fuel's properties such as its cetane number, lubricity, and stability during storage.

For instance, the cetane number, which represents the diesel's ignition quality, might differ based on the specific requirements and engine designs of various vehicles. Some high-performance diesel engines might demand a higher cetane number for optimized performance.

It is worth noting that the fuel tank of a semi-truck has a significantly larger capacity compared to a car. While many cars might have fuel tanks ranging from 10 to 25 gallons, semi-trucks typically carry several hundred gallons of diesel to support long-haul journeys and heavy loads.