| Density at 15°C (kg/m³) | 820 minimum 860 maximum | 820 minimum 850 maximum (effective 1 August 2004) | 820 minimum 850 maximum | ASTM D1298 |
| Distillation - 95% volume recovered at (°C) (T95) | 370 maximum | 370 maximum | 360 maximum | ASTM D86 |
| Cetane | 47 minimum cetane index or 47 minimum cetane number | 49 minimum cetane index or 49 minimum cetane number and 47 minimum cetane index | 51 minimum cetane index or 51 minimum cetane number and 47 minimum cetane index | Cetane number: ASTM D613 Cetane index: ASTM D976 |
| Appearance at 15°C | Clear and bright or compliance with water content and particulates specifications below | Clear and bright or compliance with water content and particulates specifications below | Not applicable | ASTM D4176(B) |
| Water content (mg/kg) | 200 maximum. Requirement waived if appearance specification is met. | 200 maximum. Requirement waived if appearance specification is met. | 200 maximum | ASTM D6304 |
| Particulates (mg/l) | 24 maximum. Requirement waived if appearance specification is met. | 24 maximum. Requirement waived if appearance specification is met. | 24 maximum | ASTM D6217 |
| Colour (ASTM colour) | 3.0 maximum | 3.0 maximum | 3.0 maximum | ASTM D1500 |
Cloud Point (°C) - Summer; Cloud Point and Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) (°C) - Winter9 Winter: 15 April - 14 October; Summer: 15 October - 14 April | Winter: +2 maximum Cloud Point and -6 maximum Cold Filter Plugging Point; Summer: +4 maximum Cloud Point | Winter: +2 maximum Cloud Point and -6 maximum Cold Filter Plugging Point; Summer: +4 maximum Cloud Point | Winter: +2 maximum Cloud Point and -6 maximum Cold Filter Plugging Point; Summer: +4 maximum Cloud Point | Cloud Point: ASTM D5773 Cold Filter Plugging Point: IP 309 |
| Sulphur10 (mg/kg) | 1,000 maximum pool average and 1,400 maximum cap for Auckland and Northland; 2,200 maximum pool average and 3,000 maximum cap for rest of country | 500 maximum pool average and 600 maximum cap (effective 1 August 2004) | 50 maximum | IP 336 or ASTM D5453 |
| Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (percentage mass) | Not applicable | Not applicable | 11 maximum | IP 391 |
| Filter Blocking Tendency | Fuel must be of acceptable filterability so that it is fit for common purposes | Fuel must be of acceptable filterability so that it is fit for common purposes | Fuel must be of acceptable filterability so that it is fit for common purposes | Indicative for monitoring purposes: IP 387 or ASTM D2068, 2.5 maximum, to be reviewed by 2006 |
| Lubricity - HFRR wear scar diameter at 60°C (µm) | 460 maximum | 460 maximum | 460 maximum | IP 450 |
| Viscosity (mm per second at 40°C) | 1.5 minimum 4.5 maximum | 1.5 minimum 4.5 maximum | 2.0 minimum 4.5 maximum | ASTM D445 |
| Oxidation Stability (g/m³) | 25 maximum | 25 maximum | 25 maximum | ASTM D2274 |
| Carbon residue (on 10% distillation residue) (percentage mass) | 0.25 maximum | 0.25 maximum | 0.25 maximum | ASTM D4530 |
| Copper strip corrosion (3 hours at 50°C) | Class 1 maximum | Class 1 maximum | Class 1 maximum | ASTM D130 |
| Ash (percentage mass) | 0.01 maximum | 0.01 maximum | 0.01 maximum | ASTM D482 |
| Flash point (°C) | 61 minimum | 61 minimum | 61 minimum | ASTM D93 |