Diesel additive?

[Ryan_V]

Should I be putting additive in my tank? New to a diesel so im not sure. What about a winter front? It's not an every day driver if that matters. Also stays in a garage. When I do use it, I spend time on mille lacs so it will sit out all weekend. 08 dodge. Thanks guys, I'll take any and all advice on running a diesel in the winter! This will probably be one of the last trucks I'll ever buy so it had to last!

[BobT]

When I ran my diesel I found the best thing for it was to blend #1 fuel. Arctic diesel and anti-gel additives seemed to steal performance from it. It got hard starting, ran rough, and at really cold temps it still gelled to some degree so I had to be careful. I'd watch the forecast temps and when the nighttime lows were predicted to be below 10 degrees I'd begin to blend about 50% #1. When the forecast lows were consistently below zero I'd switch completely to #1 until the temperature would stabilize above zero again.

Edit: It was a 1985 Ford 6.9L.

[nobody05]

dont mess around with additive. go to the #1 you really dont save much with the additive over a blend

[DIESELDAN]

Most gas stations sell diesel that is allready blended for the winter but if you know its going to be expecially cold it certinly doesnt hurt to add a additive. I will usually add some if I am going on a weekend ice fishing trip or I hear that the weather is going to be really cold.

[LMITOUT]

If it's going to be bitter cold I'll also add some #1 for some peace of mind. I've never used additives, but it's usually a good idea to avoid the ones that have alcohol if you decide to try some.

[heat checker]

I've only gelled up a couple times running in 12 yrs. Seems like the few times I did, was after a short warm up and hit the road in cold weather. Maybe tied to a fuel heater? Other than that, batteries that are in tip top shape make a world of difference to start them in cold weather.

[MN Mike]

I don't run any additives either if I know I have the winter blend diesel, if I have picked up some #2 and I'm heading into cold weather, them I might.

One rule of thumb I do have it to change the fuel filter every fall, whenever I have had trouble it's always been the dog gone filter, which reminds me............... I've got one more item on my list to do tomorrow.

Mike

[harvey lee]

I have own 3 diesels with 2 being suburban's. I would run almost all #1 in the severe cold. I always worried about what the gas stations said they had for a blend and typicaslly use truck stops.

Every fall, I would change both fuel filters and check all glo plugs. Mine had 2 batteries and if one went bad, I replaced both.

I remember once I had a small issue but still got home.

I always loved the mileage I got with the suburban's and then, the diesel was not so darn much higher than gas, in fact it was less.

[311Hemi]

I generally don't run additives either.....and never had a problem with the #2 at the pumps year round. I change the fuel filter every fall. I am parked outside pretty much all winter as well.

I did add a winter front to help warmup.

[Powerstroke]

I do use additive for extra lubrication due to the ultra low sulpher diesel, also because it helps the engine burn cleaner and I get slightly higher mileage. I use it year round. In the winter I think it helps keep things from gelling.

I live in the metro and use blended #2 pump fuel. I wouldn't even know where to buy #1 diesel. I've only had my truck gel up once in the 3yrs I've had a diesel and it was -27*F and I was unplugged. Other than that my truck has always started no matter how reluctant it seems.

[Valv]

Where you buy fuel is more important than everything. Most large truck stops have fresh, winterized fuel, since they rotate stock very quickly. Example, I've got a 5 gal tank from my local station last week, to be used in my skidsteer. Yesterday while cleaning up yard the fuel started to gel up a couple of times. I went to Faribault and a truck stop and I've got 2 tanks of winterized fuel, it fixed the problem. I also got 2 tanks of #1 diesel which is mainly a mixture of 50% or more of kerosene with diesel.

Additives will lower the gelling point and will help lubricate the injection system. I wintertime I always carry a bottle of Power Service 911 and and extra new fuel filter (but you have to know how to replace it), just in case. Many times the small wax amounts collect into the filter and restricts the flow, it's not a complete "gelling" situation but very close to it.

Nowadays all the diesel vehicles have very good protection against cold weather issues, just be sure you get good fuel, that's the key

[Palerider77]

+1 on buying fuel from a busy truck stop. Do not run #1 in a 2008 truck, as it will raise issues with the DPF. Change your fuel filters on a regular basis and plug it in when it is cold. Should be fine.

[mechanico]

I always put antigel in with every fill up, summer and winter in our old spotter tractor. It used to be hard to start, but now it cracks right off.