Usually only checked in areas with heavy agriculture where cheating may exist.
They typically use a type of dip stick that can get down into the tank through the filler neck. The non-road use diesel has a dye in it. Highway diesel doesn't. The difference is taxes on the highway/road use diesel.

 

What is the Fine for Running Off Road Diesel

Whether it is Washington, Texas, Florida, Ohio, Alabama, or other states, the fine for illegal use of dyed diesel is $10/gallon or $1,000 per violation (a tank with red diesel), whichever is greater. For instance, if 20 gallons of such fuel are revealed in your tank, the fine will be $1,000.

offroadguides.com

 

How often do you get stopped?

As road fuel is far more heavily taxed in Europe, the "incentive" to save is much higher in the UK but stops of car-type vehicles are rare here - the authorities tend to target pick-ups* and vans but not obtrusively.

* pick-ups are regarded as work vehicles in Europe, not passenger/lifestyle vehicles.

 

Offroad Diesel is dyed red. They usually catch you by dipping your tank when pulled over for some other violation, and usually only commercial vehicles. In the US at least, commercial vehicles have many more rules, more stringent rules, and more record keeping. They can also be searched for little or no reason, depending on the circumstances. Most cheats get caught because they cheat elsewhere( Safety equipment, lights, load tie downs, etc), get pulled over, and just get found out in the course of the roadside inspection. I knew a guy that lost the ability to register commercial vehicles in the state for running dyed diesel on the highway. Big fine too, $10K iirc.
Some vehicles it is 100% legal to run dyed diesel on the road, such as farm vehicles. There are rules and restrictions though- it's not a blank check.
Private vehicles, I don't think they can be dipped without an articulable suspicion, such as a cop witnessing you at the pump. I've never known anyone getting pulled over and caught in a private vehicle for it. Always heard stories, but nothing verifiable. But then again, most farms have offroad Diesel tanks on the farm. No one is going to know. I'm not even sure it's possible to dip a Touareg, at least not the 7Ps. I've read horror stories about the nozzle restrictor getting knocked loose and needing the whole tank replaced. My guess is private vehicles are just too big of a hassle.

 

I live in a semi rural community and have been 'dipped' before in a previous vehicle during a 'blitz' that the local Constabulary have every few months around here.

The price difference between red diesel and the equivalent pump diesel here in NW England is £1 for red diesel and (usually £1.35) for a litre of pump diesel. Yes, American friends we pay £1.35 per quart here in U.K. and most of Europe. It works out to 77% in various taxes.

There is a savings to be had but for me, its not worth the risk. You're driving something special. Why ruin the experience by being dodgy and always looking in the rear view for Police lights?

Once you've been caught with red diesel, you never know when you will get a 'visit' or pulled over for another check.

It would be better to buy a kit and make your own 'diesel' from recycled fluids including your old engine oil.

These vehicles call for high test pump fuel and red diesel isn't what VW recommend for our engines.

 

It would be better to buy a kit and make your own 'diesel' from recycled fluids including your old engine oil.

These vehicles call for high test pump fuel and red diesel isn't what VW recommend for our engines.

DIY diesel is the last thing to use in a Touareg - in the UK, the only difference between red diesel and regular diesel is the dye.

 

When I was 'dipped' the guy beside me was in an Isuzu Trooper with his family. He got caught with red diesel and got a £1000 fine.

They told him if he got caught again it would be an automatic vehicle seizure (with towing and storage fees to pay) along with a mandatory Court appearance.

You'd have to pay a small fortune to get your vehicle back and bring pump diesel with you as the tank would be empty.

It is tempting but am not risking a vehicle seizure with my family in the Treg too. I wouldn't hear the end of it from the wife. It's not worth it.

 

With a cetane booster it would be better than the low grade pump diesel that isn't recommended .

 

There is no low grade diesel sold in the UK, or in Europe - it all meets EN590 which is what the engine is designed for.

 

VW recommends the higher grade pump diesel which is what I use (Shell VPower) exclusively. The cheaper stuff at the pumps isn't the same.

 

Thanks for your info and I wish USA have V Power for Diesel but we don't have it.

 

Am not a diesel expert. Am going off what other people on here have said for the V10 tdi.

 

Yes it just indicates taxed or untaxed in NC, US. I worked in agriculture and running dyed fuel in a cattle or grain hauling truck is risky. Anything commercial, as previous comments noted. I knew a logging outfit that got dipped, and held liable for tens of thousands of gallons already burned that they could not prove they’d paid tax. Because they hadn’t.

Passenger cars? I’ve never heard of anyone getting dipped. There’s just so few diesel cars/SUV’S in the US, it’s just not on law enforcement’s radar. They’re far more interested in whether you have a concealed weapon, because all the farmers I know do, and their DMV record is flagged for law enforcement.

It is not uncommon for farmers to own a little Jetta or Passat TDI and run dyed fuel. Cheaper, and can fuel it on farm. I owned both.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Just be aware that most jurisdictions all have reporting procedures in place as well as spot checks. Sale of non-taxed fuel is by law required to be recorded and reported, and there are also requirements to report the use or misuse of dyed fuel (non-taxed).
Do you want to run the risk of being reported when a shop mechanic (or owner) finds dyed fuel or dye residue (dyed gasket edges etc) in your vehicle?
In my opinion, after this whole Covid pandemic, and the many subsequent government bail-outs to individuals and businesses, the governments will need to increase revenue to pay for everything spent. This traditionally depends heavily on increasing taxes and also increased tax enforcement (including prosecuting tax-fraud).
Personally, I'll avoid the risk, thank you.

 

Those road taxes go to pay for the upkeep of your roads.

 

Not MY Roads- I live in NJ! 🤪

 

Sorry to hear that.

 

We have Shell V-Power Diesel here in Canada. Here are their posted claims;

"Shell V-Power Diesel has:

• A cetane improver to help engine ignition
• Protection against corrosion of steel and steel alloy parts

• Been specially formulated for year-round Canadian weather conditions

Both Shell’s main grade Diesel and Shell V-Power Diesel help protect your vehicle while getting you from A to B. However, we’ve set the standard for premium diesel with Shell V-Power, developed in partnership with Ferrari and designed for performance."

It's about 20 cents per litre more than regular diesel. I use their regular diesel on occasion, it's as good as any, and I always dose with PRI-D additive. Never had an issue with any Canadian diesel in any vehicle.