Fuel additives

i run howes......mostly for the extra lubricants in it

during warmer months, and like runs i see an increase of fuel mileage by 25%

 

My friend is a company driver for Prime, and he uses Howe's as well. In some of the northern states, though, the additive is already mixed in the fuel dispensed from the pump during the winter months.

 

Howe's is a good product. I used it when I drove year round in Alaska. Still use is during winter months. I have used a product called PRI-D for several years in my truck and ag equipment. It is a fuel stabilizer that is used in pipelines and fuel terminals to prevent fuel breakdown and helps keep algae and other critters from forming in diesel fuel. It only takes 1 oz to 16 gallons of fuel, so it is not very costly. Have to get it from a distributor, or it can be bought online. You will not find it in an auto parts store or truck stop. Where I run, there is a wide access to biodiesel blends. I use them year round and biodiesel will add more lubricity to diesel than most additives. A simple 2% blend will boost lubricity to ULSD to the levels prior to LSD. Have never had any gelling or filter clogging issues in the 4 years I have been using bio blends year round in the Upper Midwest.

Additives are fine, but don't spend a lot of money. Use a good anti-gel in the harsh part of winter. Most diesel is just fine as is for most situations. Using a little something extra will help with your peace of mind, but don't get caught up in the addtive craze and blow a wad of cash on such things.

 

I use additives only when the temp will be below 20 for any long period of time i have had bad luck with howes i use power service and have had realy good luck with it other than that i use nothing.

 

Do you use Fuel additives? What brand? And Why? I'm just curious on why O/O use the fuel additives but large companies dont use them with there fleet trucks..?? Thanks for any input.

 

I run for a largish-fleet, and they require us to use an anti-gel. Recommend we pour it in only when temps are going to be below 20.

 

A lot of fleets do recommend additives in extreme weather, but want their drivers to either get the stuff from their own shop or get approval from maintenance before buying anything. That being said, a lot of fleet drivers could give a rip about anything, so they don't put anything in and if there is a problem, let the company worry about it. Some fleets trucks that fuel at their own company terminals regularly don't worry about putting in additives because when fuel is delivered to the terminal, additive is usually put in by the maintenance shop when the fuel is off loaded.

Besides, fleets just turnover trucks at a predetermined period and get new trucks. They could care less about longevity and condition of engines and fuel systems. That is for the next owner to worry about.

Additives are probably overused by a lot of people. I am not sure that anyone here is really saying that additives should be used every tankful year round. It is more of a gut feeling. I do know that the quality of fuel varies from place to place. Certain additives will help overcome some negative fuel quality, but won't cure everything. If you were to fuel at the same stop everytime and can be sure of what quality of fuel you were putting in, then additive would probably be of little importance.

 

Never ran any additives in Diesels, but I run a bit of Marvel Mystery Oil in the gas with my vintage iron.