Do fuel additives really work?
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 409
Likes: 139
Do fuel additives really work?
Do we have any actual testing to show that diesel fuel additives provide more lubrication? My common sense tells me that adding 1 ounce of additive to a whole tank of diesel is useless.
Back in the day when we used to add 2-stroke oil to dirt bikes and lawn equipment, the ratio was more like 4 ounces per 1 gallon. Also, 2-stroke oil is a lot thicker.
Back in the day when we used to add 2-stroke oil to dirt bikes and lawn equipment, the ratio was more like 4 ounces per 1 gallon. Also, 2-stroke oil is a lot thicker.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 14,301
Likes: 2,197
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,962
Likes: 9,194
From: Western NY
I think mine does... this topic is the same as the oil brand/type/weight/OCI topic. Opinions are varied and many...
I use K100D+, since 1k miles new, every tank and truck is currently almost at 129k miles. Sure it adds lubricity to the fuel, but it also does more than that. I'm not pushing it, I'm just stating why I use it. I let the truck tell me when to change the oil (varies between 7kish to 7.4k miles) and I change the fuel filters, Motorcraft only, every third oil change.
The primary filter comes out clean. I've posted up pics before here. K100D puts alphaltenes back into solution which prevents clogging of the fuel filter and other problems. I also use it for anti-gel in the cold weather. It has a summer dose of 1/1000 and winter of 1/500... so it's more than just 1 oz per tank.
Increases cetane 1.5 to 2 points, a fuel cleaner, fuel stabilizer, etc...
Hot Shots makes a good lubricity additive, LX4, with a bio source I believe but you have to keep it at above 32 degrees which wouldn't work for me in winter time.
I also use Pittsburgh Power Max Mileage FBC. Just passing on as info. YMMV...
I use K100D+, since 1k miles new, every tank and truck is currently almost at 129k miles. Sure it adds lubricity to the fuel, but it also does more than that. I'm not pushing it, I'm just stating why I use it. I let the truck tell me when to change the oil (varies between 7kish to 7.4k miles) and I change the fuel filters, Motorcraft only, every third oil change.
The primary filter comes out clean. I've posted up pics before here. K100D puts alphaltenes back into solution which prevents clogging of the fuel filter and other problems. I also use it for anti-gel in the cold weather. It has a summer dose of 1/1000 and winter of 1/500... so it's more than just 1 oz per tank.
Increases cetane 1.5 to 2 points, a fuel cleaner, fuel stabilizer, etc...
Hot Shots makes a good lubricity additive, LX4, with a bio source I believe but you have to keep it at above 32 degrees which wouldn't work for me in winter time.
I also use Pittsburgh Power Max Mileage FBC. Just passing on as info. YMMV...
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,438
Likes: 732
From: Wisconsin
Even Ford recommends an additive (PM 22)............ "X amount of ounces per X amount of gallons". Depends mainly on the size of your fuel tank not just a "whole tank". Because of ULSD we have today, it is beneficial to add a lubricant.
https://www.opti-lube.com/products/e...00000003153364
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,187
Likes: 8,069
From: Texas
I ran Fords recommended PM22 religiously at recommended dosage levels in my 2015 PowerStroke. CP4 failed at 20,000 miles.
Nuff said for me, total snake oil. But, everybody else can do what makes them feel good. Ran my ‘16 for three years, no additives…..still couldn’t bring myself to fully trust the CP4; Ford went away, traded for a truck with a CP3, now just drive and don’t worry!
Nuff said for me, total snake oil. But, everybody else can do what makes them feel good. Ran my ‘16 for three years, no additives…..still couldn’t bring myself to fully trust the CP4; Ford went away, traded for a truck with a CP3, now just drive and don’t worry!
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 14,301
Likes: 2,197
I ran Fords recommended PM22 religiously at recommended dosage levels in my 2015 PowerStroke. CP4 failed at 20,000 miles.
Nuff said for me, total snake oil. But, everybody else can do what makes them feel good. Ran my ‘16 for three years, no additives…..still couldn’t bring myself to fully trust the CP4; Ford went away, traded for a truck with a CP3, now just drive and don’t worry!
Nuff said for me, total snake oil. But, everybody else can do what makes them feel good. Ran my ‘16 for three years, no additives…..still couldn’t bring myself to fully trust the CP4; Ford went away, traded for a truck with a CP3, now just drive and don’t worry!
my previous truck had a cp3 and during a filter change I found aluminum glitter in the filter. There was no DPK for the cp3 so I traded it in on my 2019 so I could install a DPK on it.
i use opti lube and vary the product based on the seasons.
when the pump goes plan on a DCR.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,477
Likes: 4,069
From: Raceland, La.
I just use a quality fuel and roll the dice. Only time I used additive was some anti-gel when driving through a blizzard in NW Arkansas 2 yrs ago. Got down to 2 degrees!!
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,187
Likes: 8,069
From: Texas
sorry for your woes
my previous truck had a cp3 and during a filter change I found aluminum glitter in the filter. There was no DPK for the cp3 so I traded it in on my 2019 so I could install a DPK on it.
i use opti lube and vary the product based on the seasons.
when the pump goes plan on a DCR.
my previous truck had a cp3 and during a filter change I found aluminum glitter in the filter. There was no DPK for the cp3 so I traded it in on my 2019 so I could install a DPK on it.
i use opti lube and vary the product based on the seasons.
when the pump goes plan on a DCR.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 409
Likes: 139
Sounds good... I got some Hot Shot's. They say to use 1 ounce per 25 gallons, or 2 ounces for the performance dose. It probably won't do anything, and I'll probably end up giving up before it makes any difference but we'll see. People claim MPG improvement as well, so that alone would make it worth it.
Frankly, if I can get some reasonable mileage out of the CP4 (100k+), I don't really care if it goes out. Just change it out and keep truckin' (although it's easy to say now). Only problem is that there's no warning... and it takes out everything else, but I guess DPK provides some insurance.
Frankly, if I can get some reasonable mileage out of the CP4 (100k+), I don't really care if it goes out. Just change it out and keep truckin' (although it's easy to say now). Only problem is that there's no warning... and it takes out everything else, but I guess DPK provides some insurance.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,187
Likes: 8,069
From: Texas
Sounds good... I got some Hot Shot's. They say to use 1 ounce per 25 gallons, or 2 ounces for the performance dose. It probably won't do anything, and I'll probably end up giving up before it makes any difference but we'll see. People claim MPG improvement as well, so that alone would make it worth it.
Frankly, if I can get some reasonable mileage out of the CP4 (100k+), I don't really care if it goes out. Just change it out and keep truckin' (although it's easy to say now). Only problem is that there's no warning... and it takes out everything else, but I guess DPK provides some insurance.
Frankly, if I can get some reasonable mileage out of the CP4 (100k+), I don't really care if it goes out. Just change it out and keep truckin' (although it's easy to say now). Only problem is that there's no warning... and it takes out everything else, but I guess DPK provides some insurance.
Ford is still a good truck, they just have an achilles heel!
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 979
From: Walpole, MA