Winter Diesel Additives

[john17427]

In my second year of my first ever diesel truck (2021 GMC 2500). The weather conditions this past weekend provided me with another great learning experience. At the last minute last week, we decided to take the truck to Tennessee to be with the kids for Christmas. At the low extreme, the temperature reached 3 degrees one day while we were there. It was a little disconcerting when we went out and the truck would not start. It took a little while Googling to come to the belief that the diesel fuel had gelled, or at least reached a viscosity point where it couldn't pass through the filter. It appears that I should have started using additives as the weather started turning colder, and especially, since I was heading north out of south Louisiana. My question to those with long diesel engine experience is, what diesel additive do you use or recommend for winter use?

 

[Cajun Camper]

Howe’s is pretty popular with the Truckers. Stop in at a Love’s Fuel Stop & check out their selection, also Wally World usually carries some. If you check out the chemistry they are all pretty close to the same. Something is better than nothing during the weather we just had.

 

[3fifty7]

Here nothing is needed.
Sustained temps below 15*F is when something should be added.

 

[Danny Abear]

Doesn't it have a 110 volt block heater for use at 32 and below?

 

[kz45]

I don’t think the block heater has any effect on the fuel


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[340six]

Here nothing is needed.
Sustained temps below 15*F is when something should be added.

This, fuel here is winter diesel plus won't get cold enough or long enough for it to gel

 

[3fifty7]

We get all of our on farm fuel treated to prevent algae growth and I additionally run Lucas treatment in my pickup about once a month.

 

[john17427]

I think it was the multiple days in the low teens/ single digits that got me. The block heater is supposed to help keep the coolant and oil from freezing, or getting too thick, and I don't think the temperatures got quite that far down, but close. I'm reading that there are other reasons to use additives besides de-gelling including water removal and better valve/injector lubrication. I also saw some discussion about people putting 2 stroke oil in their diesel for lubrication. Not going there though.

 

[Fordfella]

In cold weather the glow plugs are your friends. Cycle them several times before starting. Using this method I've started the company truck that my co-worker said couldn't be started. This was in the Southern Indiana, in COLD weather.

 

[kz45]

I use Hot Shot's Secret EDT and Diesel Extreme, I'm pretty sure anti-gel is already added to the fuel in places that get cold enough. FYI people think you can just let diesel trucks idle for long periods of time, this is true only if you High idle (at least 1000rpm's), if you cant high idle just let the turbo cool down a few minutes after driving then shut the truck off

 

[paddle007]

We get all of our on farm fuel treated to prevent algae growth and I additionally run Lucas treatment in my pickup about once a month.

Sorry for hijacking the thread but what algaecide do you use?

 

[3fifty7]

We get the bulk plant to treat it as we buy it, when harvest is over and we will be storing it for several months we additionally use John Deere Fuel-Protect and Biocide.