Reservekanister.de Guidance. Safety. Choice.
Modern diesel labels

B7, B10 or XTL in a fuel can?

“Diesel” is no longer a single pump label in Germany. B7, B10 and paraffinic XTL fuels are distinct categories, and not every vehicle is approved for every one.

Reading time: 8 minutes
Three separate questions: what fuel is in the can, whether the can is suitable for it, and whether the vehicle is approved to use it.

B7: the familiar reference

Germany references EN 590 for B7 diesel and labels the fuel accordingly. The pump marking also identifies the possible biodiesel content.

B10: check vehicle approval

B10 follows a different standard reference. The German pump notice specifically directs drivers to the manufacturer information and recommends B7 when compatibility is uncertain.

XTL: paraffinic diesel

XTL is treated as paraffinic diesel under EN 15940. Availability at the pump does not mean universal compatibility; the vehicle handbook, filler flap and manufacturer guidance remain the relevant sources.

Keep stored diesel identifiable

Where several diesel grades are available, do not turn a fuel can into an untraceable mixture of leftovers. Clear labelling is particularly useful when a reserve is stored for months.

Cold-weather suitability is another layer

B7, B10 or XTL does not by itself answer every winter question. The filling season and cold-weather specification of the actual stored fuel still matter.

Memory aid: fuel label, vehicle approval and winter suitability are related, but they are not the same check.

Frequently asked questions

What does B7 mean?

B7 is the familiar diesel category referenced to EN 590 in German law; the pump label states that it can contain up to seven per cent biodiesel.

Can B10 be used in every diesel car?

No. German labelling explicitly tells drivers to follow manufacturer information and to use B7 when in doubt.

Is XTL the same as B7 diesel?

No. XTL is paraffinic diesel under a different standard reference. Vehicle approval remains necessary.

Sources for this guide

The following authorities and documents were used for this guide. Where rules change, the current original source takes precedence.

  1. Section 4 of Germany’s 10th Federal Immission Control Ordinance – B7, B10 and XTL diesel [German]Bundesministerium der Justiz / Gesetze im InternetGerman standard references for B7, B10 and paraffinic XTL diesel
  2. Section 13 of Germany’s 10th Federal Immission Control Ordinance – fuel labelling [German]Bundesministerium der Justiz / Gesetze im InternetGerman E5, E10, B7, B10 and XTL labels and vehicle-compatibility notices
  3. Winter diesel: cold-weather behaviour and practical guidance [German]ADACGerman winter-diesel season, cold-weather suitability, summer-diesel residues, additives and stored fuel