Do Diesel Fuel Additives Work?

Do you own a diesel vehicle and have questions about whether or not diesel fuel additives work? We get it — no one wants to pay for an unnecessary service or a trending gimmick. But, you also don’t want to miss out on potential benefits by being too skeptical. Honest Accurate Auto Service is here to help you learn more about this specialty fluid so you can make an informed decision about committing to regular . Read on to learn more about diesel fuel additives: how it works, how often to add it and other great tips. 

How Do Diesel Additives Work? 

Diesel additives work by improving the overall performance of your engine in several ways: 

Fuel System Cleanup — Detergents

Diesel engines aren’t necessarily “dirty,” but the engine is vulnerable to the buildup of carbon deposits and particulate matter. These materials can interfere with the fuel injection process and decrease the overall efficiency of the vehicle. Diesel fuel additives use detergents to remove this performance-reducing grime and improve the longevity of your engine. 

Cold Weather Boost — Anti-Gel/Cold Flow & Anti-Freeze Additives

Anyone with a diesel vehicle knows the stress when freezing temperatures are in the forecast. Diesel engines are all about the heat. They don’t use spark plugs, they use compression. When it’s freezing outside, the cold components sap away that critical heat energy. Diesel fuel can get waxy and oil can get extra slogged down, too. Diesel fuel additives have anti-gel properties that prevent your fuel from turning into a waxy mess that won’t do the job. They also improve cetane — the speed with which your fuel combusts. 

Moisture Maintenance — Water Removers

Diesel engines create more water during operation for a variety of reasons. For example, diesel fuel attracts water. It literally pulls it from the air, and at a higher rate than standard unleaded gasoline used in cars. Even the higher compression creates more water. Water causes corrosion and leads to the breakdown of vehicle parts at a much faster rate. Diesel fuel additives work to mitigate water with demulsifiers that separate it out from the fuel so it can be stopped at the filter. Additionally, they help protect the tank from corrosion. 

Boost Lubrication — Lubricity

Big engines need lots of support to keep all of those parts from grinding to a stop. Lubrication is important across all engines, regardless of age, make, model or fuel. The challenge with diesel is that diesel fuel manufactured after 2010 is known as ultra low sulfur diesel. Unfortunately, the process used to remove sulfur also removes essential lubricants. Diesel additives give that back, reducing damage and overall wear. 

Additional Additives

• Stabilizers and antioxidants
• Combustion boosters
• Anti-foam
• Cetane boosters

How Often Do You Add Diesel Fuel Additives? 

This is a question that can be a bit trickier to answer. We’ll break it down from most effective to least effective, but before we do, here are a few things to be aware of: 

1. 1. Amount matters. Follow the manufacturer instructions completely. Diesel fuel additives are diluted by the fuel itself. For example, a general rule for anti-gel additives is an ounce for every 2.5 to 5 gallons. And even that ratio can change in certain weather. Other additives, or multi-additive solutions, may require different amounts, too. 
   2. Type matters. Different additives do different things. It’s important to ensure you aren’t, for example, blending a de-gel additive with a multi-purpose additive to avoid over-treating the engine. 
   3. Frequency matters. Add it too often and you start to damage the engine instead of helping it. Add it too little and you cost yourself the benefits, increased longevity and improved performance. 

Best Practice: Add Diesel Additives Every Time You Fuel Up

This is the most recommended practice, but many vehicle owners are a little reluctant to commit to the expense. A bottle of de-gel can run anywhere from $10 for an eight ounce bottle up to $45 for larger bottles or specialty brands/formulas. That can add up fast if you have a 30-gallon tank and drive a lot of miles. However, an extra $8-$10 a tank could save you thousands of dollars in repairs — or the cost of a new vehicle. If you own a much older diesel, you should absolutely consider adding fuel additives at every fueling. Remember, it’s easier to prevent grime, damage and buildup than to reverse it!

Cold Weather

You should never skip diesel additives in the winter. Even in years with unseasonably warm temperatures, Colorado has plenty of sub-zero or freezing days that can make it hard to start your vehicle. Anti-gel properties are critical to getting that reliable start when the temperatures start to fall. They prevent wax buildup, icing, gelling and all sorts of unpleasant problems that can wreck your day and your engine. While you may skimp in other seasons, make your life easier by adding with every fill when it’s cold. 

Monthly Additions

While it may not be as frequent as every fill-up, a monthly addition with one of your routine fill-ups is still more beneficial than no additives at all. You get the boost  of detergent, lubrication and performance enhancers on a smaller scale. 

Before Storage

If you plan to store your diesel vehicle for a long period of time, diesel additives are very helpful. Diesel fuel has the advantage of being able to stay stable longer than other options. Additives boost that benefit. With stabilizers, you can keep fuel fresh for up to a year. They also reduce corrosion, sludge, water, microbes, and oxidization. 

Quarterly

Quarterly applications are not as effective, but they still support the engine more than not adding any boosters. It’s worth noting that you should still add it more often in the winter. 

No Diesel Fuel Additives

This is not really the best practice for a diesel engine. Yes, your vehicle will run, but you are missing out on a cleaner, higher performing, longer lasting engine. 

What Happens if You Don’t Use Diesel Fuel Additives?

• Increased wear and tear on your engine.
• Decreased cetane. 
• Reduced performance.
• Bad cold weather starts and sluggish cold performance.
• Fuel gelling. 
• Wax buildup that leads to gelling. 
• Water contamination and corrosion.
• Sludge build-up.
• Diesel bug/algae

Additional Factors to Consider with Diesel Additives

• Do your research before adding diesel additives to your vehicle. Call your mechanic or ask Honest Accurate mechanics during your next visit. Our diesel specialists can help you figure out what you need. 
• Don’t add diesel additives outside of fueling. You can overdo it and reverse the positive impact. 
• Do consider additives for older vehicles, winter weather, moisture reduction and higher performance.

Yes, Diesel Fuel Additives Work!

If you’ve been debating incorporating diesel fuel additives into your vehicle maintenance routine, they really do offer several benefits, the biggest one being improving the longevity of your vehicle. On top of that, they enhance performance by reducing the challenges that bog down your engine over time — grime, sludge, corrosion, wax, water, gelling and more. If you’re still confused or concerned, bring your vehicle in for an inspection and ask one of our technicians for advice. We’ll be happy to help!