Diesel Fuel Containing Red Dye in the United States and Canada: Notes

The Governments of the United States and Canada impose an excise tax on diesel fuel. However, certain fuel uses are tax-exempt or subject to a reduced rate. These uses include: heating, farming, off-road vehicles, use by state or local governments or non-profit educational organizations and boats engaged in fishing or transportation.

The red dye is added to ensure diesel fuels with high sulfur content are not used for on-road vehicles and to ensure tax-exempt diesel fuel is not used for taxable purposes. After 2012, the only diesel fuel produced containing high-sulfur in the United States and Canada is heating oil.

The use of red diesel fuel will not cause any problems with the fuel or exhaust aftertreatment systems.