Save your money. You don't need additives but if you're bent on using them, there are better ones out there.

 

Thanks. Wasn't bent on using, just wanted to make sure it's protected the most I can.

 

Like @Piper One said no additive needed. Pick fuel stops with alot of activity. If it pumps real real slow, stop and find another station.

If you look at the fuel stations you use you'll most likely see advertising on there diesel pump or close to it where "there" additive is included. No reason to double down.

 

I run additive in every tank. Would definitely recommend as it DOES make a difference. I use OptiLube but there are other good ones out there. The stuff you find at the auto parts stores are junk unless maybe the Power Service stuff.

 

I use Howes DD every once in a while in the summer, in the winter I use the diesel treat pretty much every fill up (mostly just for any potential water issues). My uncle was a long haul transport truck driver for probably close to 30 years and went to a lot of cold places in Northern Canada in the winter. He said thats all they used and never had any issues with fuel or gelling, etc and recommended it..??

I’m not so concerned about it in the summer (no freezing water potential) and in Ontario they use 3-4% bio-diesel (best lubricant and cleaner there is apparently) but I’m not sure it’s actually used in the winter due to its high gelling temp..?

 

I'm in California so it doesn't get that cold. But will have to when I move back to PA. Is that what's it is called, diesel treat?

 

For a long time I used and had good results (including keeping a cp4 alive) with Alliant power additive products. A local injector/pump rebuilder sold them at wholesale prices.

I figure it worked out to an extra 5$ per fuel up in the summer and maybe 10$ in the winter (the summer stuff was more concentrated lacking the antigel). The truck did seems to run a bit better. This was on a 6.7l cummins.


Sam

 

I can vouch for Alliant's winterguard formula. It's what I keep in the truck in the winter now after Howes left me stranded. I use it to treat US fuel as I head north into Canada. I wish it was more widely available.

 

Interesting to hear... what happened with Howe’s?

 

Looks like its pretty easy to get in the US.

Fuel Treatment | Alliant Power

parts.alliantpower.com

 

Ya, it's just not widely available at retail, like 'oh shit cold snap is coming better get some' kinda thing. Most of the on the shelf dealers were mostly marine last time I checked. I get mine from DPC in Edmonton (nice folks!) but order enough for the year. They make great stuff at reasonable pricing, I wish it got more shelf exposure is all.

 

I guess my question to you all is, me being new to these duramax trucks, do they really have that hard a time in the cold to need to add anything?

Sam

 

My opinion, In a nutshell no.

Diesel supplement doesn't call for the truck to be plugged in till 0 degree F. Can you plug it in before that, sure.

If you are buying diesel in your area it should be treated for your region already. As @Piper One stated earlier if you happen to be traveling to a warmer region and buy fuel and bring that back to your colder region you may want to treat it to prevent fuel from gelling. If you only have your factory fuel tank I doubt it will matter, you'll be re-fueling in your region.

If your in an area that gets very/extremely cold it would be better on the engine to run 5w-40 for those colder months.. Below is from the Diesel supplement manual.

On a safety note, if you do ever find yourself in a position where the truck won't start/run on an extremely cold morning and you think the fuel is gelled, once it thaws out change the fuel filter ASAP. It is possible to rupture the filter during these types of event.

 

You didn’t take them up on their offer?

 

That "offer" isn't worth the paper it's printed on. I did contact them......they don't pay jack squat.

 

For reference, this is from 6 or 8 years ago. Temps are -12F (-25C). First pic is untreated fuel from an Esso here in Waterloo region Ontario. Second pic is Howes treated US fuel.

You can see the wax crystals on the side of the jar in the Howes (the fuel was given a swirl in the jars before the pics were taken). It doesn't look like much but with a 2 micron fuel filter in a Duramax it adds up quick before the engine returns enough hot fuel to the tank.

My apologies for these pics being so big.

 

Looks like maple syrup.. 😅

 

I've been pretty drunk at times....but never enough to confuse the two!

 

Some people when you mention #1 diesel they look at you like you have 5 heads. A guy I was working with had a LB7 & we were having a cold snap -30 - -40 he kept gelling up & had used about 4 bottles of 911. I told him why not just fill with 1 till it warms up, I got a what the F&ck look.

 

In California I've never seen #1 just #2. Where do you get #1m

 

They used to have it here but I haven't seen road #1 for quite a while just off road red.

 

Yeah I work for a company who has red but if I'm not mistaken it #2 with red dye.

 

In California there would be zero need for #1. Straight #1 starts coming into play with sustained below 0F temps. Think Canada, the Dakota's, Minnesota etc.

 

I use Hotshot's Secret EDT typically. In the winter during the coldest months, I run HSS EDT + Antigel. One bottle lasts all through the cold season. Engines runs good and quieter.

 

Hi, ha

 

Hi, haven't used this Howes Product, but have used BG245 Premium Diesel Fue) System Cleaner which is recommended by my GMC dealer. They have a complete program set up around BG Products and they do not void your warranty.

 

Hi MalibuSS70, never used Howes Diesel Defender but have used GMC dealer recommended BG245 Premium Diesel Fuel Sysytem Cleaner. Dealer says it will not void your warranty either. BG has a program set up to handle your complete engine, transmission, differential and cooling system too.

 

MalibuSS70, just to give you more credentials about the BG Products name, their products have been widely used throughout Europe on all diesel and foreign trucks and automobiles. There are many internet videos supporting this. Interesting to watch their program and the equipment used in the BG warranty program.

 

Addittives are not needed buy good diesel fuel, change the filters etc regularly and that will be more than enough.
FWIW if you really want to get the longest life out of your engine and oil, use a bypass oil filter by someone like Frantz.

 

just get a additive that will increase your cetane and lubrication.