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Driving Diesel to Mexico

Low Sulfur Diesel

Thinking of driving diesel to Mexico?  If you have a new diesel …one of those gorgeous beasts that push out 480 horsepower and get 24 mpg…do you want to take it to Mexico? I know it’s tempting…the comfort and control, maybe camping in an Airstream along the coast or near the Lake of Chapala? But did you know that Mexican diesel contains the highest sulfur content in the world? When you put that into a new diesel, it can seriously damage your system and most definitely void any warranty.  Don’t drive your new diesel to Mexico before knowing reading further…

In 2022, you can find ultra-low sulfur diesel in Mexico. For 2022, most diesel is imported from the USA and is ultra-low sulfur diesel.  You’ll find UBA diesel (Ultra Baja Azufre) at highway stations. Approach humbly, chanting and coughing with your Kashkul (beggar’s bowl) as empty as your tank. UBA is not everywhere, but it’s much easier to find than last year. You are more likely to find it at international stations (Chevron, Gulf, Exxon, G500, etc.) than at Pemex, though you will find it at Pemex stations too. 

So today, you can drive your diesel rig in Mexico. The good news is that the availability of ULSD (Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel) is improving daily.  Fill up at every opportunity. You will have a hard time finding DEF, so bring plenty. Autozone carries it.  

Driving diesel into mexico
Driving Diesel to Mexico

Years of driving in Mexico have taught me to “trust but verify.” So the rest of this page is devoted to skeptics and probably overkill.

Google Is Your Newer Diesel in Mexico Buddy

Mexico still doesn’t refine enough Ultra Low Sulfer Diesel for you to count on finding ULSD at a Pemex pump. Oil independence is woven into Mexico’s national pride, and the President supports Pemex. Foreign stations, however, import most of their fuel from the USA. Thus you are likely to find ULSD at Chevron, Gulf, Arco, G500, and other international stations. Try Google. Search for their websites. Some will actually tell you if they have the new diesel.  Participate in online BBSs (yeah, they still exist and are easier to follow than FaceBook) and FB for tips.

According to Pemex

I contacted PEMEX, and they PROMISED to have Ultra Low Sulfur in all stations by the end of 2018. Then in 2018, Pemex promised that USLD would be sold everywhere by 2019. They were overly optimistic. Returning RV’ers told me said they found ULSD generally in ARCO stations and occasionally other international brand stations. To find them search Google God for gasolinera ARCO (or other Gulf, Chevron, G500, Texaco, Valero, or another brand). Some results will be wacky and not gas stations at all since ARCO is Spanish for arch and is used a lot. But many independent stations have websites with good information on them. 

Driving diesel to Mexico

They have provided us this link to offer our clients…this shows where all the diesel stations are currently.

PEMEX Diesel Stations
They have, as of this writing, upgraded half of the stations in Mexico City and 200 stations in central Mexico.

Keep an eye out and help us if you can by sending us WHERE YOU FIND IT. You will see signs of the Diesel for (Bajo Azufre) or DUBA (diesel ultra bajo azufre) Low Sulfur.

Diesel in Mexico: The Gas Jockey

Your best bet is to ask the attendant when you pull in if the diesel is Ultra Low Azufre and offer a small propina. If they don’t have it, he will know where. Of course, there will be signs with “Ultra Baja Azufre,” but years of experience have taught me to trust people more than signs in Mexico. You can trust signs in general. But the station may have sold out, so the fallback is to rely on humans. Just like the old days when unleaded gasoline was hard to find, fill up at half a tank, and you will save a lot of stress.

When you pull into a station, ask the gas pump attendant (with a 20 peso bill visible) if they truly have ULSD. Say something like Tiene ultra baja azufre diesel And if he says yes, look incredulous and say, No me digas! or Cierto? If he again replies in the affirmative, go for it. The pumps also look different.

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