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B99 USERS GROUP TERMS OF USE

I. Membership: Each member is entitled to all the rights and benefits of membership including but not limited to: the right to purchase fuel that is renewable, the right to lower emissions, the right to fuel from local sources, and the right to be informed on local biodiesel issues. As a member, you are entitled to purchase clean burning, renewable biodiesel and biodiesel blends from the biodiesel distributors in Southern California and through reciprocity agreements with other biodiesel cooperatives and users groups in California. There is no cost of membership, however donations defray mailing and operating costs.

II. Biodiesel: Quality of the fuel is very important to all of us. Purchase only 100% biodiesel manufactured to ASTM D 6751 standards.

III. Member Responsibility and Disclosure: It is the member's responsibility to provide the fuel vendors with any requested information regarding the performance of biodiesel or any issues that the member observes while using the fuel. This information is critical to allow the fuel vendor to complete the required quarterly reports to the CA Department of Measurement Standards.

IV. Precautions and disclaimers: The following are facts concerning biodiesel and its usage. You as a user must be aware of and responsible for these qualities of biodiesel fuel:

1. Solvent Properties: Biodiesel, in addition to being fuel, is an effective solvent, and will act accordingly. This means that:

a. Biodiesel will dissolve existing solids—created through usage of petroleum diesel—in your vehicle's fuel system. These solids will clog your vehicle's fuel filter. When this happens depends on many factors, but can be recognized by the following symptoms: power loss, engine sputtering, difficulty starting, and poor fuel mileage. When you notice these symptoms, you will have to replace your vehicle's fuel filter (possibly more than once, depending on the amount of petroleum solids in the fuel system). socalbug.org recommends keeping at least one spare fuel filter on hand at all times. Clogging of fuel filters also occurs with old fuel storage containers that contained petroleum diesel. When dealing with such large fuel tanks, fuel filters may have to be changed many times, and cleaning of the tank prior to biodiesel usage may be a more suitable alternative.

b. Biodiesel will, over time, dissolve most types of paint. For this reason, socalbug.org recommends keeping a clean, soft, dry rag on hand when fueling, to gently wipe off any spillage. When the rag becomes soaked with biodiesel, put it in a dark, closed storage container to await proper disposal. Do not leave fuel-soaked rags crumpled up in the sun. Under such conditions, the rags are prone to spontaneous combustion due to oxidation and the heat generated during that process.

c. Biodiesel will degrade rubber components in older vehicles' fuel systems faster than petroleum diesel. These components include some hoses, seals, and o-rings. Most diesel vehicles made after 1993 use synthetic components, eliminating this problem. Please contact the manufacturer for answers on specific parts. Should your rubber components need replacement, we recommend viton substitutes. Call us for more information

2. Cold Weather Properties: Depending on its feedstock, biodiesel can gel at temperatures as high as 40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher without added anti-gel. During the winter months, if operating in cold environments the only way to be 100% certain your fuel will not gel is to maintain a percentage of petroleum diesel in your fuel supply (exact quantity varies with climate). This is especially recommended for vehicles with electronically-controlled, highly-sensitive fuel injection systems, such as those found in Volkswagen TDIs and Chevrolet/GMC Duramaxes. Feel free to ask us about other possibilities for cold weather fuel storage, including heating elements and insulation.

3. Vehicle Emissions and Performance: Because every engine is different, socalbug.org makes no claims about the emissions or performance when burning biodiesel fuel. Biodiesel will not have the same effects on every vehicle. Because the BTU value of biodiesel is slightly less than that of petroleum diesel no. 2, a small loss of power and fuel economy is to be expected, although this is mitigated by biodiesel's higher lubricity and cetane number.

4. Biodiesel Storage Etiquette: Biodiesel should not be stored more than 6 months without topping off or cycling. Biodiesel can oxidize when exposed to air and light for extended periods, resulting in a "rancid" fuel that can have negative effects on your vehicle's performance. Biodiesel needs to be stored properly, in a dark container, away from air and water. Use a filter with a water separator. Like diesel, biodiesel can attract bugs and biological contamination. The potential for contamination should be taken very seriously, and guarding against it is the member's responsibility. Large fuel containers must be vented properly. Regarding rust and age issues of storage containers, see section IV. 1(a), above.

5. Fuel Additives: Biodiesel, in this document, is defined as 100% biodiesel (B100) and biodiesel blends are identifed by the blend concentration. For example B20 contains 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel. If you would like to use an additive in your fuel, for whatever reason, we recommend you contact your fuel supplier so they can share with you the benefit their experience. If you plan on blending biodiesel with petroleum diesel, remember: the better quality the diesel, the better the blend.

All information contained in this Membership Agreement is believed to be accurate at the time of printing. In addition to the above precautions and disclaimers, socalbug.org reminds you that many mechanics have not heard of biodiesel, nor worked on vehicles using it as fuel.

This agreement applies only to the below mentioned parties. 

This form represents a non-binding contract between Southern California Biodiesel Users Group (socalbug.org). ("us") and "you."
I agree to the terms of service