Diesel Fuel Prices Rising, Owners of Modern Diesel Cars Must Prepare for the Consequences

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Diesel prices at several fuel stations have come under scrutiny due to an increase in May 2026. Even at some private fuel stations, the price of diesel fuel is now approaching Rp 31,000 per litre.

This situation has widened the price gap between subsidised and non-subsidised diesel.

For illustration, the government-subsidised Biosolar from Pertamina is currently sold at Rp 6,800 per litre. This is far different from non-subsidised diesel, namely Dexlite at Rp 23,600 per litre and Pertamina Dex at Rp 23,900 per litre.

Apin, the owner of Pelita Motor workshop in the Blok M Mall automotive centre, said that owners of modern diesel cars must understand that vehicles with such technology indeed require fuel according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

“So if we buy a car, we must also be prepared to buy its fuel. After being able to buy a car worth hundreds of millions of rupiah, but wanting to use poor-quality or low-quality diesel, that doesn’t make sense,” Apin told Kompas.com recently.

He explained that all modern diesel vehicle manufacturers have basically recommended the use of diesel with low sulphur content.

According to Apin, fuel quality is an important factor in modern diesel engines, especially those that have adopted the common rail system.

“But the fuel content must be appropriate. So the fuel we buy must match what we should get,” he said.

Technically, diesel with high sulphur content can leave residue and deposits in the combustion system. This condition has the potential to clog the injector nozzle and damage the fuel pump.

Therefore, the use of diesel with low sulphur content, a maximum of 50 ppm, is an important requirement to keep the injector, pump, and pressure control valve or suction control valve (SCV) durable.