Volkswagen of America, Inc.
3800 Hamlin Road
Auburn Hills, MI 48326

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):
Subject: 2009-2015 Model Year Volkswagen TDI® Clean Diesel Vehicles Registered in Minnesota
Engine Codes CBEA, CJAA, CKRA, CATA, CNRB
Using Biodiesel Blend Fuels
Dear Volkswagen TDI Clean Diesel Owner,
As a valued Volkswagen customer, your satisfaction is our utmost priority. Because we support the
development and use of renewable fuels (such as biodiesel fuel blends) we are writing to customers
who have Volkswagen TDI® Clean Diesel engine vehicles registered in the State of Minnesota in order
to share some important information about using biodiesel fuel blends in these vehicles.
What is biodiesel?

Why is it important for
me to know about
biodiesel fuel blends?

Biodiesel is a domestically produced, clean-burning and renewable partial
substitute for conventional (petroleum) diesel fuel.
Your vehicle was originally designed to run on “ULSD” - Ultra Low Sulfur
Diesel No. 2 – fuel that complies with ASTM D-975 specifications and
permits up to a maximum blend of 5% biodiesel (B5).
Due to new Minnesota state regulations regarding biofuels, biodiesel
blends of B5 or less may not be available in Minnesota. However, we
want to assure you that Volkswagen will continue to honor the terms and
conditions of the Volkswagen Limited Warranties that came with your
vehicle.
Biodiesel blends (up to B20) may be used in your Minnesota-registered
TDI® Clean Diesel vehicle; however please be aware that biodiesel has
characteristics that are different from other kinds of fuel, especially
petroleum-based fuels.

How does biodiesel
differ from ULSD diesel
fuel?

Biodiesel can attract water and also deteriorate with age. Small amounts
of biodiesel can get into the engine oil, but unlike petroleum diesel, it does
not evaporate over time. This can cause the oil level in the engine to rise
and can affect the quality of the oil.
USA VWBioD_MN

When I use biodiesel
blends in my
Minnesota-registered
Volkswagen TDI® Clean
Diesel vehicle, what
should I remember?

• Routinely check the engine oil level. A good time to do this is when you
refuel, especially if you regularly do a lot of short distance or stop-andgo driving. This will help you see if the engine oil level is getting
higher. (A rising oil level beyond the maximum indicator means an oil
change is needed due to the dilution of the oil in the system; a potential
characteristic of biodiesel use.) See your Owner’s Manual for
additional information on checking the engine oil level in your vehicle.
• If you ever notice that the engine oil level has risen or is above the
maximum indicator, contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or
Volkswagen Customer CARE to schedule an oil change – regardless
of the time or mileage that has elapsed since you last had an oil
change performed.
• Continue to follow the oil change intervals found in the maintenance
booklet that came with your vehicle, and use only engine oil that
expressly complies with Volkswagen quality standard VW 507 00.
• Refuel only at trusted, commercial fueling stations that are located
near main highways. These stations are more likely to have “fresh”
biodiesel fuels that have not aged significantly.
• When your vehicle will be in storage (or not driven) for several weeks
or months, please completely fill the fuel tank. If possible, fill the tank
with Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel (ASTM D975 standard Grade No. 2 D
S15).

Can we assist you
further?

If you have additional questions about your Minnesota-registered TDI®
Clean Diesel vehicle, please call or write to us at:
Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Attn: Customer CARE
3800 Hamlin Road, Auburn Hills, MI 48326
1-800-444-8982

Please keep this letter with your Warranty booklet for future reference, and deliver it to any new owner,
along with the owner’s manual.
We hope you are enjoying the exceptional performance and fuel economy of your TDI® Clean Diesel
vehicle, and we wish you many more miles of driving pleasure. Thank you for driving a Volkswagen!
Sincerely,
Volkswagen Service & Quality

USA VWBioD_MN