I apologize if I'm bringing up a repeat topic. I searched, but get so many results and either none of them seem to answer my question or the threads are so huge I get lost before getting to the info. I have seen the chart linked in the tech folder.

So I mentioned in another thread about my truck that dad had been running "Hot Shot's Secret Stiction Eliminator" to fix some perceived issues, still not exactly sure what those were. At next oil change I'll probably try a better oil with no additive instead see what difference it makes.

Dad says he's also been using a fuel additive from the same company that he gets at tractor supply. "Helped with startups after its been sitting for a bit." Ok... I'm not getting that, but I can understand the running a fuel additive since these engines weren't designed for the current ULSD. Checking out Tractor Supply it seems that he would have to have been running Hot Shot's "Diesel Extreme" or "Everyday Diesel Treatment" and I'm guessing the latter. Neither of those are listed on the chart in the tech folder.

I don't mind buying what's available local but if I'm ordering online I might as well shop around for something good. From what I understand looking at the chart the "Opti-Lube Summer Blend" looks to be about the best cost/benefit ratio. The Winter Blend doesn't appear as good on the cost/benefit ratio as other anti-gel formulas, but it rarely drops below freezing in this part of the state where I spend most of my time. So I think I'd be running Summer blend most of the year, only need to run winter blend on rare occasion.

Should I switch over to Opti-lube, just keep running the Hot Shots stuff, or maybe don't use anything at all?

 

Josh, check out this recent thread by The Finlander.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ve-thread.html

I got a steal of a deal on some Opti-Lube XPD and noticed no difference in the way the truck ran or performed over nearly 1000 miles of towing the 5th wheel. Although, I believe the benefits of a fuel additive are long term, not short term.

I used to run Stanadyne Lubricity Formula, for several years. I stopped after my supply ran out and again have noticed no difference.

Although, the numbers don't lie in the research and companies @Bitterroot Diesel are posting pictures and relaying information that cannot be denied.

I am a "live and let live" supporter in every way. If someone does or does not wish to use fuel additives, I'm good with that.

I hope this helps sir.

 

Opti-lube in every tank. You could use summer then use XPD in the winter.

 

I use both those hotshots fuel additives. I do notice small differences while towing heavy. One being to avoid Love's fuel whenever possible. Always .5-.75 less mpg with the additive and -1.5 mpg without additive on their fuel

 

I think that'll help very much! I had seen someone reference that thread recently, but no link to it and I wasn't finding it when I searched for some odd reason. I'll give it a read. At this point I'm not even sure what dad was trying to cure by using the additives. When I ask he just says that it runs or starts better better with it. I might just have to run without to get a baseline and see what happens for myself.

I'm kind of wandering if I even need to worry about an anti-gel if I'm staying local. These are my local temperature averages:


It only ever drops down just below freezing for a short time overnight. I don't understand a lot of this stuff, but I'm thinking at those temperatures can probably to run summer formula year round. Keep a bottle of anti-gel the additive on the shelf to add if I'm taking a trip into colder climates.

Glad to hear from someone else that uses it.

My local truck stops are Pilot and Loves. Pilot is on the exit where I cross the interstate nearly every day, but inconvenient access during the day with the trucks going in and out. Loves is about two exits up, but about 20 mile round trip out of the way. I'll make a note to not bother with Loves for diesel if I've got a better choice.

It's not a truck stop, but Circle K near my parents just put in truck parking, pumps and cat scales. It's further out of the way than Loves for my daily drive, but drive right past it when visiting the family so I'll probably be filling up there regularly.

They built a Buc-ee's on next exit down from the Pilot. I filled up there today because when I stopped in with the car last week the diesel was a good $0.30 gallon cheaper than the other stations I paid attention to. Not sure if that was still the case today, I didn't shop around. I don't intend to make that a regular stop, the place is just too busy even in the middle of the night. It has 120 gas pumps and at 5 pm today most of them were occupied, the regular parking was nearly full, and you could barely get in the doors due to customers lined up at the register. Clean place, good brisket and jerky, but not worth the crowds.

Generally when I need fuel I'm going to stop where ever close by has the best prices, but not going to drive around hunting for it. That might be at Kroger redeeming fuel points.

 

I've noticed their fuel runs bad in mine also so I steadfastly avoid it.

 

Some consideration, summer has a larger cetane package and XPD will combat water.

 

Josh, we will be rolling through WR in the next two weeks or so on our way to Pensacola FL. We might hit up the Buc-ee's, thanks for the heads up.

As for the anti-gel, you don't need it unless our climate changes dramatically. In the 8 years I have owned our truck, I have not used it or needed it once.

There is a first time for everything though...

Bad how? Can you elaborate or is it hard to describe?

When traveling, we use Love's a good 50% or more of the time. Interesting that two FTE'rs that I value the opinions of have said similar things.

 

Hard to beat $1.99/gallon Diesel, isn't it?

 

I found a place right near me that stocks the 16oz bottles of Stanadyne and I have to say the first time I dumped an 8oz treatment into a fill-up I did notice a little extra something-something compared to the 20oz treatments of Powerservice grey bottle that never seemed to do much of anything I could notice. Little bit better power and throttle response and I would say an extra 20-30 miles per tank conservatively. Been doing it about 4 tanks now and it's a pretty consistent improvement. Makes me wonder why I was wasting my money on the other stuff (probably because they sell it everywhere so it's convenient.) They really should do another fuel additive shootout that includes all the heavy hitters...Opti-Lube, Stanadyne, Powerservice, Schaeffer, Archoil, etc.

 

Motor often seems sluggish and low on power. Dull throttle response and a noticeable drop in MPG. I attribute it to their blend of B5-20. Seems to clear up as soon as the tank gets filled with the normal no-bio stuff. Generally I like their locations...lots of newer ones that are clean and well appointed but I am hardly the first to complain about their fuel. I probably notice it more because I do a lot of in-town driving.

 

I'll have to look into the cetane benefits more. Probably in that other thread Sous linked me to and I'm slowly reading. Combatting water could definitely be a good consideration, especially if it's going to be sitting with a low tank where water could condense. I think the locations I will usually fill up have enough turnover that I won't need to worry about water in their storage tanks. Thanks for the info.

Yeah, I don't expect to need anti-gel anywhere in GA. Looking at the chart that was the big difference that I saw between Summer and XDP, aside from the price (I know, but they are made by same company) and lubricity. Yes, the XDP has much higher lubricity, but the Summer blend still exceeds the EMA Desired HFRR.

I know that you mentioned using Pilot in another thread, but if you need gas in this when passing through this area I would not recommend the one at exit 146 in I-17. The location and amount of traffic makes it difficult to get into and out of during the day. I'd really say than any station on that exit is an issue for the same reason.

If I were passing through pulling a camper like yours, I'd skip Byron exit 149 all together. All the gas stations are right by the the interstate, but you've got to cross a 5 lane road to get in or out of them and not much in the way of traffic lights to break up traffic. I know you're more used to maneuvering a rig like that than I am and could handle it no sweat, but I wouldn't want to deal with it when there are better options up the road. Ironically, the Pilot is technically in Byron too, the whole place needs to make some road/traffic improvements

Love's is exit 155 on I-75 and wouldn't be bad to get into. It's south of the I-75 & I-475 interchange so don't have to deal with any of that. Of course that is much better since they put in the new ramps. That interchange and Hartley Bridge road was a nightmare growing up, not as bad as I-16 & I-75, but still bad. I know neither are as bad as other places, but I'm not usually going through those.

Past Love's the Bu-cee's on exit 144 would probably be next easiest. Lots of traffic and lots of people in the store when I've been, but they seem to have it well laid out and traffic flows easily.

Can't really comment on any other stations along the interstate in the area.

Yep! I don't get it quite that low, but it definitely makes a nice dent in the price. My parents and I use the same number, so I try not to hog all of the points unless they're about to expire.

@Brandonpdx thanks for the feedback on that stuff. If they sold it local I'd give it a try, but I've never noticed it. If I'm going to order, I think it'll probably be something a little higher up on the additive chart. Leaning heavily towards going to Opti-Lube for both the fuel additives and oil additives if I find they are needed after oil change (or likely based on further reading here).

 

When the 7.3L PSD was in production, Stanadyne Performance Formula was the only fuel additive that I personally heard engineers at International, and engineers at Ford, concur with each other in recommending.

Ford once recommended Stanadyne Performance Formula in writing. I still have that document. Somewhere.

Notice that Parker, which owns Racor, which manufactured our fuel bowl and filter, now owns Stanadyne. Parker didn't own Stanadyne at the time International and Ford recommended Stanadyne.

I'm automatically suspicious of any product with words like "mystery" or "secret" in the title.

I tend to trust products by manufacturers who spend the money to jump through all of the regulatory hoops, and have EPA registrations for their products on file, as well as the endorsements of the OEMs.

Stanadyne, historically as a company, manufactured fuel injectors. There is a pedigree of knowledge about diesel fuel injection in their corporate DNA.

I second the earlier recommendation posted by @Brandonpdx of Stanadyne Performance Formula.

 

I might agree with you on the "secret", but what's wrong with a little "mystery". I like me some MMO (Marvel Mystery Oil), but not going to put it in the diesel or the oil of the 7.3L. Will put it in an engine though, worked good for lubing the cylinders in my FE that sat for 12 years.

 

My take is almost any fuel additive is better than nothing given the shyte that is EPA mandated ULSD. Very little separates the worst from the best, and all of them help. Just use something every tank.

Also avoid oil additives. If dino oil does not satisfy your tired injectors switch to synthetic. When your injectors can't open when cold with synth then order new injectors and run a stiction eliminator until you can install them, cuz they are done.