Great Wall Motor (GWM) has updated its offerings for the 2025 off-road SUV model, the Tank 300, introducing a brand-new diesel engine variant for customers.
The Tank 300 diesel is powered by a 2.4-liter turbo engine that delivers 181 horsepower and 480 Nm of torque.
With a nine-speed automatic transmission (9AT), the Tank 300 is said to provide a smoother driving experience, boasting an efficiency rate of up to 97 percent!
In addition to the 2.0-liter turbo petrol variant (217 hp/380 Nm), the Tank 300 is also available in a Hi4-T plug-in hybrid version.
The total output of the Tank 300 Hi4-T can reach 402 hp and 750 Nm of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 6.7 seconds and offering an emissions-free range of up to 105 km.
Ten driving modes are also available.
Significant changes have been made to the cabin, with the Tank 300 now featuring a 14.6-inch infotainment screen powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip, a 12.3-inch digital cluster display, a column-mounted gear shifter, and a new steering wheel.
Additionally, it includes a 12-speaker audio system, Coffee OS 3 operating system, active noise cancellation, and Nappa leather seating.
Due to the relocation of the gear shifter and the revamped layout of the functional buttons on the center console, the cockpit now appears more spacious and tidy.
In terms of exterior design, the 2025 Tank 300 retains the same aesthetic as the existing model, but it adds a new desert yellow color option.
In China, the starting price for the 2025 Tank 300 is 199,800 yuan (RM122,070), with the diesel variant starting from 234,800 yuan (RM143,454), and the Hi4-T variant starting at 249,800 yuan (RM152,618).
Shell Malaysia has launched the new and improved Shell FuelSave Diesel in Peninsular Malaysia. This follows its debut in East Malaysia back in May last year.
According to Shell Malaysia, this latest formulation is Shell’s most fuel-efficient diesel to date, capable of delivering up to 19 kilometres more per tank.
The company attributes the introduction of the latest diesel to over half a decade of extensive research and testing conducted by 150 scientists.
Apart from offering more range per tank, the new formulation also removes up to 65% of harmful engine deposits and protects against future build-up.
Additionally, the improved diesel also has double-action deposit targeting additive that removes harmful deposits and protects engine condition.
Seow Lee Ming, General Manager of Mobility Malaysia, said, “Shell is dedicated to supporting Malaysians by continuously improving our offerings to deliver greater value. As Malaysians navigate changes like the rationalisation of the fuel subsidy, the New + Improved Shell FuelSave diesel provides a practical solution, offering extended mileage to help drivers go further with every tank.”
“Whether powering through the bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur in a diesel passenger car, hauling heavy loads up the rugged slopes of Cameron Highlands in a four-wheel-drive pickup, or navigating rural roads and muddy trails on the way to Terengganu, this New + Improved Shell FuelSave Diesel is designed to go further in various road conditions,” she added.
In June, the Malaysian government implemented diesel subsidy rationalisation as part of its efforts to curb rampant leakages.
However, the move appears to have had negative repercussions for petrol station operators in Peninsular Malaysia, who claim to have incurred losses amounting to RM181 million since its implementation.
According to Bumiputera Petrol Station Operators Association of Malaysia (Bumipeda) honorary secretary Hanny Julia Haron, nearly 3,500 petrol stations are now at a critical level, having sustained losses almost every month.
She added that the situation arose as operators were forced to purchase fuel at high prices and sell it at lower prices.
“About 98.3 per cent of these stations have reported losses from petrol and diesel sales, causing many operators to shift towards convenience store sales as a strategy to offset the decline in fuel revenue.
“Without intervention, the long-term economic impact could be severe, potentially increasing unemployment rates and reducing government revenue from taxes and levies due to the closure of stations or a reduction in operations,” she stated.
Earlier this month, Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying revealed that the targeted diesel subsidy initiated in June this year has allowed the government to generate savings of RM600 million per month.
The Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said that eligible individuals, small-scale companies, or organisations may apply for a special permit for the purchase of diesel exceeding the standard limit.
Armizan added that the special permit is solely for authorised uses and not for resale purposes.
“Applicants must submit a letter of confirmation from the relevant agency and apply through the Special Permit System available on the KPDN (Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living) portal.
“This includes agricultural and livestock purposes, with a quantity limit not exceeding 200 litres per day for purchases at petrol stations,” he said.
He noted that this facility has been outlined in the Guidelines for the Application of Controlled Goods Permits and Special Permits, which are administered under the authority of the Control of Supplies Act (Amendment) 2021.
IF you own a car or have a driving license, you surely know that there are generally two main types of fuel, namely petrol and diesel. Both of these fuels are very different and serve as the fuel for two different types of engines.
However, errors in filling fuel are quite common, such as mistakenly filling petrol into a diesel engine vehicle or vice versa.
This mistake can be caused by various factors such as forgetfulness, frequently changing cars, lack of awareness, or any other reason that could be the cause.
In this article, we will explore what happens if you mistakenly fill fuel or oil into a vehicle. Most importantly, we will also look at what can be done to ‘fix’ that mistake.
What are the consequences of the wrongdoing?
The consequences or effects of this error essentially involve damage to engine components. Each petrol or diesel engine operates differently, and petrol and diesel have different properties.
It’s like if you were supposed to add sugar to a drink, but mistakenly added flour, the drink would surely be ‘spoiled’, right?
Diesel in a petrol car
In actuality, it’s quite difficult to include diesel in a petrol car. This is because diesel nozzles mostly do not fit into a petrol car’s fuel inlet. However, if diesel is included, it will damage the internal engine components and fuel system.
Petrol is thinner and diesel is denser. If diesel is introduced into a petrol engine, it will cause blockages in the system since petrol engines are not designed to handle the denser diesel fuel.
Subsequently, the fuel injectors will be blocked, the spark plugs will also be damaged. The engine will stutter, there might be white smoke before the engine dies and cannot be restarted.
Petrol in a diesel car
The likelihood of filling petrol in a diesel vehicle is higher. This is because petrol nozzles are smaller and can easily fit into a diesel tank inlet. Unfortunately, filling petrol into a diesel tank will cause greater damage to the diesel engine.
In a diesel engine, compression ignites the fuel. Therefore, the fuel will enter the internal engine parts, and the fuel also acts as a lubricant.
So, if petrol enters this engine, its evaporation properties can damage the engine components. Fuel injectors that require lubrication will not function properly as well. The worst part is, it’s not easy for us to realize the presence of petrol in a diesel engine.
By the time you realize it, it is likely too late, and the engine is severely damaged.
What can be done if a mistake is made?
Now, let’s also look at what can be done if a mistake is made.
Diesel in a petrol car
If you realize it while filling, don’t worry, if it’s still a small amount, continue filling the tank with petrol. If a little diesel has mixed in, you can still safely drive the petrol car.
The best course of action is to remove all the diesel from the tank and refill it with petrol.
If you filled it up completely, do not start the engine. Immediately contact a tow truck to take your car to a workshop for further action.
Lastly, if you’ve already started the engine, turn it off immediately. Contact a tow truck and take it to a workshop.
If you have driven a long distance, stop and turn off the engine immediately as well. This is the worst-case scenario, and if you realize it, the car’s fuel system needs to be inspected and cleaned. Components like fuel filters and spark plugs may need to be replaced.
Petrol in a diesel car
Handling this situation is almost the same as above. When you realize you have filled petrol, immediately tow the vehicle so the fuel system can be cleaned and refilled with diesel.
If you’ve already started the engine, petrol might have flowed further in. Your diesel engine will need a thorough inspection.
The worst situation is if you have driven the vehicle for some time. Petrol may have entered all areas of the engine and many components will be damaged. Immediately stop the vehicle, turn off the engine, and contact a tow truck to take the vehicle to a workshop.
Tips to prevent filling errors
Some tips to prevent the above situations from happening are:
Use fuel stickers – These act as quick warnings so you do not mistakenly fill the wrong fuel.
Double-check when entering a gas station – Always be aware of the station and pump you are entering.
Get out of the vehicle when refueling – It’s better to step out of the vehicle than to let the attendant do everything for you. Also, make sure they are filling the correct fuel into your vehicle.
Diesel engines with their more compact, rugged mechanical components capable of delivering more torque make them a suitable choice for heavy vehicles.
This technology was designed by the German designer and mechanical engineer Rudolf Diesel, after conducting extensive thermodynamic research and testing to achieve greater efficiency compared to petrol engines.
Diesel engines use compressed air to ignite the fuel, unlike petrol engines that use a spark or ignition system. The story and development of this are recorded in history books, yet the original inspiration for Diesel to conceive this technology remains unknown.
In a discovery reported by the New Straits Times, Diesel seemingly may have drawn inspiration from the blowpipe, a primitive tool used in the Southeast Asian region.
It consists of a closed cylinder or tube on one side and open on the other, with a piston attached that can be pressed into the cylinder.
The portion of the piston that enters the cylinder must be rounded and airtight to create a vacuum with pressure when the piston is pushed in or pulled out.
At the “face” of the piston, there is a small recess to accommodate a flame that will not be extinguished when the piston is pushed in. Initially made from wood, animal horns, or bamboo, the blowpipe was small in size – 7cm to 15cm – to fit into pockets.
The rapid compression of air when the piston is pressed into the cylinder causes a sudden increase in the internal temperature to 260 degrees Celsius, enough for the flame to ignite with a spark. This flame can then be transferred before being blown to ignite a larger fire.
So, what is the relevance of the traditional blowpipe’s operating principle to the modern diesel engines we know today?
A History from the 19th Century
Moving back a bit, in the late 19th century, Carl von Linde, an engineer, returned to his homeland in Germany after traveling extensively.
He had visited various places, including the Malay Peninsula. As a renowned faculty member at Munich Technical University, he was supposed to present his findings to the entire faculty and students.
During the lecture, he paused for a moment and took out this small wooden tool from his pocket to light a cigarette. He called it “ein Feuerkoben” and it was a gift from someone he met in Penang.
He pressed the piston and the inner flame ignited. He took the ember and lit his cigarette. For most students there, it was merely a matter of lighting a fire from a wooden tool.
But for Diesel, who was present and was one of the top students in Linde’s class, the concept made him wonder if the same thermodynamic principles could be applied to ignite fuel in combustion engines.
The chemical equation involving pressure, volume, and temperature states that when pressure increases in the same volume, the temperature will also rise.
This same reaction became the operating principle of Diesel engines when air is compressed to ignite the fuel, hence eliminating the need for spark plugs like in petrol engines.
From 1983 to 1987, Diesel continued to develop his idea at Maschinenfabrik-Augsburg AG (later known as Maschinenfabrik-Augsburg-Nürnberg or MAN). He began testing prototypes and successfully demonstrated a diesel engine with an efficiency of 26.2 percent.
So, did the blowpipe truly serve as inspiration for MAN trucks and buses as well as other diesel engines we recognize today? It remains vague, but what is clear is that Diesel was the one responsible for connecting the blowpipe concept with heavy machinery engines.
Since the implementation of the targeted diesel subsidy on June 10, diesel seizures have seen a decrease of 87 percent, said Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister.
Armizan said the downtrend is based on a comparison during the 20-day period before and after the implementation of the targeted diesel subsidy.
From May 20 to June 9, there were 65 cases of diesel seizures recorded, involving the seizure of 520,803 liters of diesel. However, from June 10 to June 30, statistics show that there were only 14 cases, involving 68,457 litres.
“The number of individuals arrested in the subsidised diesel cases also dropped during the same period that is from 40 people to just one person. This comparison shows a significant decrease in the number of cases,” he said.
Effective June 10, the government had set the retail price of diesel at RM3.35 per litre at all petrol stations throughout Peninsular Malaysia, while the retail price of the fuel for Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan remains at RM2.15 per litre.
However, Armizan said there was an increase in the RON95 petrol seizures with 37 cases, involving 17,064 litres of this fuel during the May 20 to June 9 period compared to 46 cases, involving the confiscation of 14,011 litres of this fuel, after the implementation of diesel subsidy targeting.
He also mentioned that the total number of arrests increased from 10 to 17 people for the same period.
To combat these activities, he said his team will continue to improve enforcement and monitoring activities on the misappropriation of controlled goods through the implementation of Ops Tiris 3.0 nationwide.
“Close cooperation with other enforcement agencies is also being held to tackle leakages comprehensively and effectively,” he added.
THE policy paper for the rationalization of subsidies for RON95 petrol has not yet been brought to the cabinet for implementation. This was stated by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He mentioned that the re-targeting of subsidies for this purpose would not be implemented in the near future.
“There is no policy paper that can lead us to implement it (the rationalization of RON95 subsidies) quickly. There have been studies all along, but we think it’s better to first observe the steps taken regarding electricity and diesel subsidies,” he said in the Parliament yesterday.
He responded to an additional question from Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) who wanted to know if the government intended to implement the re-targeting of RON95 petrol subsidies.
Anwar, however, stated that in his opinion, the re-targeting of RON95 petrol subsidies should have been implemented long ago, but he was aware of various constraints that made it difficult to reinstate the subsidies for the fuel.
“If you ask me, re-targeting RON95 subsidies should have been done a long time ago. But this is not easy, as the problem we face is that 3.8 million foreigners are using this oil, just as the wealthy are. This is something that is crucial and important for us to halt,” he added.
He also criticized the opposition’s statement for continuously “manipulating” the issue of re-targeting diesel subsidies, claiming that it burdens the people.
“Until now, there are still those who are ‘riding’ on the issue with various accusations of the government being oppressive and claiming that subsidies have been completely withdrawn.
“Is the re-targeting of these subsidies a wise decision for the economy? All (Members of Parliament) agree, even though they expressed disagreement during the campaign.
“When (the previous government) was in power, they also said that (re-targeting diesel subsidies) was necessary, but because they knew it would heat up the political temperature (it was not implemented).
“However, I acknowledge that the implementation aspect can be disputed. I accept this, but what we are hearing now is only the accusation of an oppressive government, cutting subsidies and repeating the campaign (in the past), today in power, tomorrow oil prices will drop,” he said.
ROUGHLY 180,000 commercial vehicles have not yet applied for the Fleet Card through the Subsidized Diesel Control System 2.0 (SKDS 2.0).
Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, Fuziah Salleh, stated that according to records, there are 389,000 registered commercial vehicles with the Road Transport Department (JPJ), but only 209,000 have applied for the Fleet Card in the SKDS 2.0.
“The total of 209,000 has been approved for diesel subsidy,” she said when approached by reporters. She explained that there are 33 vehicle categories, including 10 categories of public transportation such as school buses and express buses, while the remaining 23 categories involve vehicles for goods transportation and logistics.
“In the goods transportation category, there are 389,000 registered with JPJ, but only about 209,000 have registered to get the Fleet Card, meaning roughly another 180,000 have yet to register.
“Perhaps those who have not registered think they are not eligible or only have one or two vehicles and find it difficult.
“Actually, even one, two, or three vehicles are eligible, no need to have 20 vehicles in a company. As long as they fall under the 23 categories of listed goods transportation vehicles,” she advised applicants in those 23 categories not to worry as those who apply will qualify immediately.
She gave an example, if the Fleet Card application from five oil companies takes time to process, the applicant can keep the receipt and then receive a refund.
“When you have a Fleet Card, discounts are immediately available at the gas station,” she said.
Regarding claims that the RM200 subsidy is insufficient for commercial vehicles, Fuziah stated that no Fleet Card quota has been set for goods transportation vehicles so far.
“The targeting of diesel subsidies under the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs is for companies and we use the Fleet Card system. It’s different from the other two,” she said referring to the Budi Individu or Budi Agri-Commodity system.
THE Ministry of Transport describes the increase in school bus fares as unwarranted, considering that the Subsidized Diesel Control System (SKDS) 1.0 for land public transport vehicles remains at a price of RM1.88 per liter.
The Minister, Anthony Loke, emphasized that this decision also applies to express bus operators who cannot arbitrarily raise fare rates as such actions require approval from the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD).
“This should not happen because this diesel subsidy is still being given to express bus and school bus operators. This means they are not affected by diesel price hikes as they are already receiving subsidies and there is no change in that aspect. So why are they motivated to raise prices if the issue of diesel (price hikes) is being used as a reason to raise prices,” he told reporters yesterday.
Loke suggested that although the government does not control school bus fare rates, operators should hold discussions with the Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG), with the ministry ready to assist from various angles to ease the burden on those involved.
“We encourage discussions between operators and PIBG… I know there are constraints and challenges they face, and we try to help from various perspectives to ease their burden,” he said.
Previously, there were rumors of possible fare increases for express buses, school buses, and excursion buses following the announcement of the diesel price hike in the Peninsula from RM2.15 per liter to RM3.35, which took effect two days ago.
Premier of Sarawak, Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, suggested that the federal government should seek and explore cheap and sustainable alternative energy sources to replace the use of diesel throughout Malaysia.
He said that this long-term effort would also eliminate the need for the diesel subsidy borne by the country.
Abang Johari. Photo by: Malay Mail
“If people still use diesel and ask for subsidies, when the prices go up, they will ask for more… so why not have alternative energy so there won’t be a need to use diesel,” he said in a press conference yesterday.
Abang Johari said, for example, the government could explore the use of emerging energy sources like hydrogen, which is being actively implemented by the Sarawak government.
On Sunday, Second Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, announced that the price of diesel at all retail stations in Peninsular Malaysia was set at RM3.35 per liter, the market price without subsidies, starting from 12.01 am on Monday.
Under “Budi Madani,” a cash assistance of RM200 per month is provided to private diesel vehicle owners, small-scale farmers, and small-scale commodity growers.
Registration for Budi Madani opened on May 28 following the discontinuation of diesel subsidies, and 30,000 diesel vehicle owners will receive the assistance starting today.
THE government has set the retail price of diesel fuel at RM3.35 per liter starting from midnight tonight (June 10, 2024).
According to the Second Finance Minister, YB Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, the new price will be enforced at all petrol stations across Peninsular Malaysia. The retail price of diesel fuel in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan will remain at RM2.15 per liter.
Through the implementation of diesel subsidy targeting, the government has set the diesel prices for eligible sectors as follows:
Subsidized Diesel Control System (SKDS) 2.0 using fleet card method for logistic vehicles, set at RM2.15 per liter
Subsidized Diesel Control System (SKDS) 1.0 for public land transport vehicles including school buses, express buses, ambulances, and fire engines at RM1.88 per liter
Subsidized diesel for fishermen remains at RM1.65 per liter
The subsidy targeting is introduced in the form of cash assistance through the following initiatives:
Individual BUDI Cash Assistance of RM200 per month for citizens who own private diesel vehicles
Agri-Commodity BUDI Cash Assistance of RM200 per month for small-scale farmers and commodity smallholders
It is understood that the first group of over 30,000 recipients will benefit from Individual BUDI and Agri-Commodity BUDI assistance starting tomorrow (June 10, 2024).
Application for the Subsidy Assistance Program BUDI MADANI, involving private diesel vehicle owners, small farmers, and small commodity planters, will open today (May 28, 2024).
Qualified recipients will receive BUDI MADANI assistance of RM200 per month in line with the implementation of diesel subsidy distribution.
Second Finance Minister, Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said, private diesel vehicle owners meeting specific eligibility criteria can apply under the BUDI Individual category.
While small farmers and small planters can apply under the BUDI Agri-Commodity category.
“The follow-up implementation statement to the Prime Minister’s National Address by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last week regarding the Cabinet’s decision to implement diesel fuel subsidy distribution involving consumers in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said in a statement.
For the BUDI Individual category, applicants must be Malaysian citizens, own registered private diesel vehicles with the Road Transport Department besides luxury vehicles under 10 years old.
The owned vehicles must have active road tax and individual or spouse annual income of RM100,000 and below.
As for the BUDI Agri-Commodity category, applicants must be registered as small farmers or planters with relevant agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) or the Ministry of Agriculture and Commodities (KPK).
Applicants should be active commodity small farmers or planters with annual agricultural sales between RM50,000 and RM300,000.
“Each application received will be cross-checked with data under the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDNM) to exclude luxury vehicle owners under 10 years old and high-income individuals (T20),” he said.
Applications can be made online at the website https://budimadani.gov.my, which will be open throughout the year.
For applications made and approved before June 3, the first BUDI MADANI will be received by mid-June, with subsequent assistance distributed monthly.
While for applications approved after June 3, the first BUDI MADANI will be received within two weeks and subsequently on a monthly basis.
BUDI MADANI will be credited to the recipient’s bank account every month, while recipients without bank accounts can claim BUDI MADANI in cash at any National Savings Bank (BSN) branch across Peninsular Malaysia.
Amir Hamzah said that the BUDI MADANI Program complements the Government’s existing efforts in targeting diesel subsidies through the MySubsidi Diesel system managed by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs.
So far, nearly 90,000 fleet cards have been issued to companies in the public land transport sector and the land freight transport sector.
“As frequently emphasized by the Prime Minister, diesel subsidy distribution is among the fiscal reform measures under the MADANI Economic framework, to build Government financial sustainability and enhance Malaysia’s competitiveness.
“The BUDI MADANI initiative reflects the integrated efforts of the MADANI Government machinery to ensure that the diesel subsidy distribution mechanism is comprehensive, efficient, and effective, so that the logistics sector and the majority of the people are continuously protected,” he added.
For more information and to apply for the BUDI MADANI eligibility requirements, visit https://budimadani.gov.my.
Applicants can also contact the BUDI MADANI assistance hotline at 1-800-88-2747 / 03-8882 4565 / 03-8882 4566 or via email at budimadani@treasury.gov.my.
Further inquiries and information can also be obtained at all Inland Revenue Board offices across Peninsular Malaysia.
A pilot project to test the MySubsidi Diesel system of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) and the Fleet Card system of petrol companies through six selected goods transport companies will be implemented with effect from February 1.
Its minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the implementation of the pilot project was for the expansion of granting subsidised diesel quotas to the land transport (goods) sector through the Subsidised Diesel Control System 2.0 (SKDS 2.0).
The six companies are Perceptive Logistic Sdn Bhd, Multimodal Freight Sdn Bhd, Mun Chuen Transport Sdn Bhd, Tan Swee Hee Sdn Bhd, Sim Yew Enterprise Sdn Bhd and Rantau Panjang Haulage Sdn Bhd which were selected after their Skid Tank quotas expire this month.
“An engagement session was held to give exposure to pilot companies and petrol companies about the guidelines to apply for quotas and reporting under MySubsidi Diesel System and the Fleet Card system,” he said during a press conference.
Earlier Armizan made a working visit to review the preparations of Syarikat Perceptive Logistics for the implementation of the pilot project in Port Klang.
He explained that SKDS is currently given through two channels, namely Skid Tank which involves manual application and processing and Fleet Card which uses the MySubsidi Diesel KPDN system.
“At this point, only the land transport sector (public) uses the Fleet Card channel while the goods transport sector (land), river passenger boats as well as ferries and boats to the main island still use the Skid Tank channel,” he said.
He said the use of Fleet Card can reduce the offence of misappropriation and smuggling of subsidised diesel since the system will be digitally monitored by KPDN and oil companies while Skid Tank only involves reporting by the companies involved.
“KPDN will continue to monitor the implementation of this pilot project and get feedback from the industry to ensure the effectiveness of the implementation of the system which is expected to be implemented in the second quarter of this year,” he said
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