Anti Gel - When do you need it, or do you need it at all?

Frozen DEF is causing way more problems over past 10 years. I remember the arctic flow back in January, from Indianapolis to Toronto I seen over 100 trucks on the shoulder, mostly with frozen def, even at the pumps was frozen.

 

All depends on where you get your fuel.
If it's Florida fuel.. treat it at 20.
If it's Minnesota fuel... I'd prob start adding something in the 0 range if it's gonna stay that way for a bit.
If it's just a one day event... my filled tanks do just fine.
I hardly ever treat, and I run Montana, Wyoming, the Dakota's.. it can get nipply.

Better safe than sorry though.

I ALWAYS have Diesel 911 on hand.

 

That cold snap last year back around late january, it took probably 3 different truck stops in a 50 miles radius to find one that had def that wasnt frozen. Even some of the diesel pumps were froze up. I remeber it taking over an hour to get fuel . only 3 workings pumps and def, the line was about 10 deep. Mass chaos.that was in illinois, i would expect that from texas but not illinois

 

Additive is always cheaper than a tow truck.

 

The paraffin wax additive in premium #2 diesel fuel (no bio-blend) will begin to crystallize at 32°F (0°C) and completely gel around 10°F (-12°C). Bio-blends will have variable crystallization and gel points at higher temperatures than premium #2.

In order to prevent gelling, additives are necessary if you expect to travel at ambient air temperatures below 10°F. Power Service Antigel, Howe's Diesel Treat and other products are available as additives. Brand doesn't really matter so long as you follow mixing instructions on the container. Always put in additives BEFORE fueling to get proper mix.

The other option is blending #1 diesel (contains kerosene) with your #2 directly in the tanks. 50 gallons of #1 for every 150 gallons of #2 for temps down to 0°F. Between 0°F and -20°F you'll want to increase your #1 amount accordingly (100-100, 150-50, etc). Below -20°F you'll want to run just straight #1.

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In Canada, fuel additives to prevent diesel gelling are required by law (so I've heard) and they are pre-mixed at the pump (so expect poorer fuel economy out of Canadian fuel between late October and early March/April).

But once you reach -40°F/C all bets are off. It doesn't matter how good the fuel is, what antigel content is, if you put those tanks in the wind, even with auxiliary tank heaters, that fuel will start to gel up on you if you aren't careful.

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And no matter what a company tells you (as a company driver) or what you hear from anyone, don't leave the truck off overnight below 0°F. Between the cold sucking cranking power out of the batteries and the diesel gelling problem, even if you have a Webasto engine pre-heater, it's going to be a struggle to start the truck in the morning. And the $3-4/hr it costs to run the truck idling overnight will save you from the $100-300 bill to have a tow truck come out to rescue you with a boost.

 

Might consider getting a box of DEF to keep on the trucks because it will freeze in the pumps when it gets cold and you can't pump it. I almost ran out in IA one time because every #### truck stop had frozen lines for 2 days straight and I didn't fill up at a half tank like I normally did.I got lucky and found a normal mom & pop station that still had some boxes..

 

Everybody's economy drops in the winter. There's no getting around it.

Between the fuel quality and the cold air.

Even cars drop a bit.

 

Just make sure it stays sealed and doesn't spill on anything. That stuff will make the truck smell like someone turned the interior into their own personal bathroom. Most DEF pumps in Canada get shut off below 0°F anyways, so most places carry large stacks of boxed DEF.

And also be wary of storing it in the jockey boxes, if that part of the sleeper doesn't have good heat circulation, it'll freeze under there too and definitely crack the container and cause a leak when you bring it up front to thaw.

 

yea 100% if you open it, use it and toss it.. If the guys keep their DEF tanks filled probably a non issue but if you have lazy drivers that let it run low..they may regret it..

 

Well im stealing that idea fellers and im gonna make a killing. Ill be selling boxed def at every truck stop with frozen def lines. That stuff will go like hot cakes

 

Full-Service Travel Centers

What the hell? TA/Petro has changed their winterized diesel map. Why can’t they make it less confusing?

The first list on the site says those locations are treated, but to what degree? Most drivers are not local. We drive to other places and we need to know up to what degree it is treated!

To make it worse, I called the TA fuel department in Antioch, TN about their winterized diesel. They said it’s winterized, but they don’t guarantee it.