i've used tranny fluid (more smoke), howe's ten point (good stuff), total power(the stuff), and diesel kleen (good stuff). tranny fluid is cheaper, but ATF WILL SETTLE IN BOTTOM OF TANK IF NOT DRIVEN ALOT, and, i like the smoke. total power has stabilizer, anti gel, +8 cetane, lube, cleaner, all that good stuff, as do the others, but i get better mileage with my total power.

 

Transmission fluid is effective at cleaning injectors, but it makes a lousy lubricant. I use Lucas upper cylinder treatment as long as it's above freezing. Below freezing I use Howe's diesel fuel conditioner. I'll use Power Service in a pinch, but I don't care for it at it kills my fuel economy.

 

does atf increase black smoke???

 

Yeah it increase smoke! when it destroys your injectors!!!

 

is the smoke black or blue???

 

Its red..... No really I don't know. I would never put the stuff in my truck to find out.

 

if it was red i would deff burn it...

 

here is a study that was done on just the lubricating properties of different additives. They unfortunately did not include ATF. I found it interesting because lucas upper cylinder lubricant, does nothing for lubrication, diesel kleen is negligable, 2 stroke oil, which I ran for a while lubricates well, and worked good for me, but it has no other properties besides lubrication I am going with optilube XPD. But like several above said biodiesel, better than 2% is the best.
here is the link where I got the info
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...additives.html