What color is number 2 diesel?

Diesel #2 is a specific type of diesel fuel; not all diesel fuels are equivalent to Diesel #2. Diesel #2 typically refers to ultra-low sulfur diesel without additives, whose hydrocarbon properties meet the requirements of relevant standard tests. It has good combustibility, high energy density, and good fluidity at room temperature, making it suitable for diesel engines in heavy-duty vehicles, industrial equipment, and generator sets. Due to its low sulfur content, this type of diesel helps reduce engine wear and exhaust emissions. It is one of the common types of diesel fuel locally and is widely used in diesel-powered equipment in road transportation, agriculture, construction, and other fields.

The practice of adding two-stroke engine oil to diesel fuel is mainly applicable to two-stroke diesel engines. Due to their compact structure and lack of an independent lubrication system, these engines require two-stroke engine oil to be mixed with diesel fuel in a specific ratio. This allows the oil to lubricate internal moving parts such as pistons and crankshafts while participating in combustion, preventing wear under high-temperature and high-speed operation, as well as assisting in cooling, sealing, and cleaning the engine interior. However, for four-stroke diesel engines, adding two-stroke engine oil to diesel fuel is not recommended. Since they have an independent circulating lubrication system where the oil does not participate in combustion, adding two-stroke oil can easily cause carbon deposits, clog fuel injectors or high-pressure fuel rails, and affect engine performance. It should be noted that the use of two-stroke engine oil must strictly follow the manufacturer's recommended ratio to ensure the normal operation of the engine and extend its service life.

Fuel Oil No. 2 (locally often referring to diesel for specific purposes) appears red due to the addition of compliant red dye, primarily intended to distinguish its usage and tax attributes. Locally, red diesel generally falls into the category of tax-exempt or subsidized fuel, designated exclusively for agricultural machinery, fishing vessels, industrial generators, off-road engineering vehicles, etc. In contrast, diesel used by ordinary road vehicles is typically light yellow and subject to full taxation. The addition of dye enables law enforcement agencies to easily identify and monitor the fuel, preventing tax-exempt fuel from being illegally used in road vehicles to evade taxes. This dye is compositionally safe and does not negatively impact the fuel's combustion efficiency or equipment performance. Furthermore, color-coded fuel labeling is a common practice in the local fuel management system. In addition to red diesel, other colors are used to distinguish fuels of different grades or purposes, aiding users and regulators in quick identification. This ensures compliance with relevant regulatory requirements, maintains a fair taxation system, and upholds standardized fuel market practices.

Yes, fuel oil #2 usually refers to diesel oil. No. 2 diesel oil is a distillate oil, with a viscosity range of 32.6 to 40.1 SUS at 37.7 degrees Celsius and an interfacial tension of 14.7 dynes/cm. In terms of chemical composition, it contains components such as paraffin (41.3%), monocycloalkanes (22.1%), dicycloalkanes (9.6%), tricycloalkanes (2.3%), and alkylbenzenes (5.9%). The total saturated hydrocarbons account for approximately 75.3%, and the total aromatic hydrocarbons account for about 24.7%. Diesel fuel is generally composed of a mixture of hydrocarbons from C10 to C19, with a composition similar to that of fuel oil #2. The main difference between the two usually stems from the additives used. In addition, No. 2 diesel oil needs to meet specific performance requirements in practical applications to ensure proper atomization and combustion efficiency in engines, adapting to the operational needs of diesel engines, and is one of the commonly used fuel types for diesel engines.

In the Malaysian market, hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) models and small-displacement high-efficiency gasoline models demonstrate the most outstanding fuel efficiency performance. Among them, the Perodua Bezza is recognized as the most fuel-efficient model, with its 1.0L and 1.3L Dual VVT-i engines achieving an official fuel consumption as low as approximately 4.0 liters per 100 kilometers. During actual driving, maintaining a steady throttle and reasonable speed, along with utilizing the ECO driving mode indicator, can further optimize fuel consumption. Additionally, Toyota's hybrid technology delivers exceptional fuel efficiency. Its HEV models integrate a high-efficiency gasoline engine with an electric motor for synergistic operation, resulting in superior fuel efficiency compared to conventional gasoline models (such as the 2.5L gasoline-powered Camry). Furthermore, these models do not require charging infrastructure, offering both convenience and reduced fuel costs. The new engine in the Proton X70 has achieved a 7% reduction in fuel consumption compared to its predecessor through technical upgrades. However, hybrid models and small-displacement economy-focused models like the Perodua Bezza remain more advanced in fuel efficiency, better meeting users' demands for low fuel consumption.

Gasoline is a typical example of fuel. It is a liquid fossil fuel refined and processed from petroleum, with hydrocarbons as its main component. As a common fuel for internal combustion engines, gasoline is widely used in vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, small aircraft, and some mechanical equipment. It releases chemical energy through combustion and converts it into mechanical energy to provide power. Based on octane ratings, gasoline can be classified into different grades to suit engines with varying compression ratios, such as the common 92-octane and 95-octane gasoline. Furthermore, gasoline belongs to the category of fuel oil, which is a subclass of fuel and includes various types such as gasoline, diesel, and kerosene. All of them release energy through combustion to meet diverse power needs.

The fuel types for Class 8 vehicles mainly include diesel, natural gas, and hybrid electric power, among others. Among these, diesel fuel dominates, accounting for over 75% of the market share in this category in 2024. This is because it provides strong power, reliability, and meets the demands of high-intensity industries such as long-haul freight and construction, supported by an extensive refueling infrastructure. Hybrid electric options are also developing gradually; for instance, the hybrid system retrofit design introduced in January 2025 combines batteries with diesel generators to deliver high horsepower, substantial torque output, and extended driving range. Natural gas is another available fuel option for this vehicle category. These fuel types each have distinct features: diesel maintains its mainstream position due to proven maturity and practicality, while cleaner alternatives like hybrid electric power are being progressively adopted to align with the industry's pursuit of more sustainable transportation solutions.

In Malaysia, the efficiency of fuel types must be evaluated based on specific application scenarios. For household passenger vehicles, hybrids (combining gasoline and electric power) offer an efficient solution: pure electric operation in urban areas reduces fuel consumption, while reliance on internal combustion engines for long-distance travel eliminates range anxiety, making them well-suited for both local congested conditions and extended journeys. Among conventional fuel vehicles, RON95 gasoline stands out as a cost-effective and efficient option due to government subsidies and excellent engine compatibility (e.g., turbocharged engines in certain models are calibrated to fully exploit its anti-knock properties), delivering both performance and fuel economy. In heavy transport, hydrogen-powered vehicles—with rapid refueling, extended range, and zero emissions—along with biodiesel (such as airport-tested B20) that reduces fossil fuel dependence, represent efficient and eco-friendly alternatives. Methanol fuel, as a clean energy source, enhances energy utilization efficiency while curbing harmful emissions, positioning it as a promising future fuel option. Although electric vehicles boast low maintenance costs and zero emissions, their current limitations—inadequate charging infrastructure and higher upfront costs—render them less practical and efficient compared to hybrids or RON95-powered vehicles.

In the current fuel pricing system, RON95 petrol is the cheapest type of fuel. Malaysian citizens can enjoy a subsidized price of RM1.99 per liter upon presenting their national identity card. This price applies to the BUDI MADANI RON95 Subsidy Scheme, with a monthly subsidy limit of 300 liters per person. Non-citizens and foreign-registered vehicles are not eligible for this subsidy and must purchase fuel at market prices. Among these, the price of RON95 for non-citizens, after a recent adjustment, is approximately RM2.62 per liter, while the price of RON97 petrol is about RM3.27 per liter, and the price of diesel such as EURO5 B10 is around RM3.06 per liter—all higher than the subsidized RON95 price available to citizens. For most drivers, RON95 petrol is sufficient to meet the engine requirements of daily vehicles, combining economy and applicability, and is a fuel option with outstanding cost-effectiveness in the local market.

There are various types of gases used as fuels, commonly including natural gas (primarily composed of methane), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG, mainly containing propane and butane), hydrogen, coal gas (a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen), and biogas. These gaseous fuels are considered clean energy sources due to their complete combustion and low emission pollution. In the automotive sector, the primary gaseous fuels used are compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). LNG is produced by cooling natural gas to -161.5°C for liquefaction and storage, offering high energy density and being suitable for long-haul commercial vehicles. CNG is natural gas stored in a compressed gaseous state, with refueling stations being relatively widespread, making it commonly used in taxis and urban buses. LPG, a byproduct of petroleum refining, is easily liquefied and stored, and is also utilized in certain light-duty vehicles. The use of these gaseous fuels contributes to reduced vehicle emissions and extended engine lifespan, garnering significant attention in the context of energy scarcity.