Fuel Additive / Winter Additive
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 175
Likes: 7
From: NW Suburban Chicago
Fuel Additive / Winter Additive
When I had my old 7.3, I used additive for winter gelling issues as my truck was parked outside year around.
I'm in Chicago and it can get into the minus teens during cold snaps.
What is the consensus of summer time additives and winter time additives to prevent gelling?
I'm in Chicago and it can get into the minus teens during cold snaps.
What is the consensus of summer time additives and winter time additives to prevent gelling?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 787
Likes: 72
From: Lansing MI
I run Staynadine year round. It has anti-gel for the winter months, and a help lubricate the fuel pump. It cost about 3.50 per tank, when bought by the case from Amazon, so its cheap protection.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,748
Likes: 118
From: Tallassee, ALabama
You can use the Motorcraft Anti-Gel and Performance improver PM-23 in the winter...
https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubrican...nce%20Products
And PM-22 for warmer months
https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubrican...nce%20Products
https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubrican...nce%20Products
And PM-22 for warmer months
https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubrican...nce%20Products
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,745
Likes: 72
From: West Virginia
At the first freeze of winter I add anti-gel. Doesn't matter what brand as long as it does not contain alcohol. Then, once the fuel mixologists have had a chance to catch up, I only add anti-gel if I'm buying fuel in the south and driving north. Otherwise, I don't worry about it.
Since you are asking about winter/freeze stuff, I'll take this opportunity to point out that you shouldn't keep your DEF tank full during winter. DEF needs room to expand when it freezes.
Since you are asking about winter/freeze stuff, I'll take this opportunity to point out that you shouldn't keep your DEF tank full during winter. DEF needs room to expand when it freezes.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 959
Likes: 18
From: Washington State
I run hydrotek powerkleen And essential lube Year round no issues at all it's the same product that the company I work for runs year round And they are heavy duty diesel and we have no issues with freezing and below freezing temperatures.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 4
From: Connecticut
I use pm22 or pm23 depending on time of year/freezing. Buy it online 7.50 for 20oz. Which treats 125 gallons. About $1.50 per 25 gallons.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,221
Likes: 4,231
From: Kaysville Utah
I've been using Opti-Lube since 2007 for my Winter Fuel. Occasionally use the summer blend but not very religious about it.
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Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,141
Likes: 5
From: Woodbury CT
I don't use anything for the winter, I go with PM22-A year round. I was in Albany NY 2 years ago during a below zero few days stretch, the morning I was driving back to CT truck showed the temperature as -6. Was very concerned, stuck the key in the ignition, fired right up and ran no problem. Maybe I was just lucky but haven't seen -6 since.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 14,254
Likes: 2,180
you can buy a lot of off the shelf products that will work. Opti-lube for example has packages targeted for the different seasons.
BUT, I did see an old study that tested major lube additives and the very best lube value was #2 diesel with 5% biodiesel..or b5.
likewise, for antigel during the winter simple kerosene like what home depot sells for home heaters during the winter (at $10.00 per gallon) will provide antigel protection at a blend of 5%.
don't get me wrong...im ok with someone buying the seasonal opti-lube at 40 bucks a gallon....but there are other options.
BUT, I did see an old study that tested major lube additives and the very best lube value was #2 diesel with 5% biodiesel..or b5.
likewise, for antigel during the winter simple kerosene like what home depot sells for home heaters during the winter (at $10.00 per gallon) will provide antigel protection at a blend of 5%.
don't get me wrong...im ok with someone buying the seasonal opti-lube at 40 bucks a gallon....but there are other options.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 538
Likes: 45
From: Lansing, MI
I'm around the corner from you in mid Michigan. I still have some Opti-Lube XPD from years ago and will add some if the temps get below zero but other than that I've had no issues not using anti-gel. You mentioned minus teens during cold snaps. I always like to remind everyone that your fuel tank only cares about the ambient temperature and not the wind chill temperature. Two very different things.
4wd High
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 4
From: Brighton
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,902
Likes: 26
From: BA, OK
Those of you that don't use any antigel in the winter must live up North where the fuel suppliers treat the fuel adequately. Farther south the suppliers play russian roulette and try to guess what the weather will do if they guess wrong guess what happens? Just wait until November or December, there will be a host of threads regarding fuel gelling because somebody will gell up this winter thinking the fuel suppliers are doing their job.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Those of you that don't use any antigel in the winter must live up North where the fuel suppliers treat the fuel adequately. Farther south the suppliers play russian roulette and try to guess what the weather will do if they guess wrong guess what happens? Just wait until November or December, there will be a host of threads regarding fuel gelling because somebody will gell up this winter thinking the fuel suppliers are doing their job.
I’m Picking up my first diesel tomorrow so I’m just looking at as much info as I can - thanks
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 128
Likes: 17
From: N. IL
I live up North, and never trust that there's any additives in the fuel to keep it from Gelling! Frozen up more than once and hate that experience! So, to answer the question, YES, I add an anti-gel to my fuel all winter long! Usually, Optilube.