Cold weather additives

[RedRocket]

As winter drags on, I was just wondering what additives do you run in your truck, if any.
I have a 2017 Ram with a 6.7, and I don't run anything in mine as of yet. Just wanting some feedback. Thanks

[Brentw]

Nothing. 2013 ram. Change oil as required, buy fuel from a clean,busy place.

[Badbart56]

Nothing in the 6.7 or the 7.3. Over 250 K miles on the 7.3 and over 180 K on the 6.7.

[Javi]

I run Diesel Kleen in mine as a lubricant and Cetane booster because the diesel in Texas is 5% up to 20% corn and it help...

Not usually cold enough to need anti-gel additives

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by Javi

I run Diesel Kleen in mine as a lubricant and Cetane booster because the diesel in Texas is 5% up to 20% corn and it help...

Not usually cold enough to need anti-gel additives

Bio diesel is not corn, but more likely recycled cooking oil or something greasy.
Diesel Kleen has a winter additive with cetane lubricity & an anti gel if you think you need/want something, it won't hurt the engine & the cetane boost might help your mileage.

[rsv4pilot]

Hot Shots Secret Everyday Diesel Treatment since new. They have winter supplement as well..

[Javi]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

Bio diesel is not corn, but more likely recycled cooking oil or something greasy.
Diesel Kleen has a winter additive with cetane lubricity & an anti gel if you think you need/want something, it won't hurt the engine & the cetane boost might help your mileage.

What ever it is made from I don't like it at all, and don't like the results of running the B20 at all. However the idiot's in Austin have decided that I must run at least B5 so I use the Diesel Kleen supplement and can see and hear a difference if I miss a fillup.

No need for the anti-gel in central Texas.

[ChuckS]

Live in Idaho..cold winters..
Have never used any additive specifically for the cold weather.. I do like to run stanadyne in the fuel tank when towing the 5er.

It adds a little bit of extra lubrication to the fuel pump...otherwise stock 2007 GMC duramax ruining delo 400 Dino oil since new..

[JRTJH]

I think you're both right......

Most cooking oil is made from corn, soy or canola (with some peanuts thrown in for good measure). LARD is still used in some places, but typically it's "healthy fried food boiled in low fat oil produced by America's farmers"..... YMMV

[1st Chev Diesel]

Live in Canada..cold winters..
Have used stanadyne in the fuel tank summer and winter since truck was new. Also used in my previous Duramax for 10 years.

[Badbart56]

Originally Posted by Javi

What ever it is made from I don't like it at all, and don't like the results of running the B20 at all. However the idiot's in Austin have decided that I must run at least B5 so I use the Diesel Kleen supplement and can see and hear a difference if I miss a fillup.

No need for the anti-gel in central Texas.

I've been using biodiesel in my trucks for years with no issues. Even biodiesel levels below 1 percent can provide up to a 65 percent increase in lubricity in distillate fuels. And it has a higher cetane value (51 min vs 40 min for mineral diesel).

[Javi]

Originally Posted by Badbart56

I've been using biodiesel in my trucks for years with no issues. Even biodiesel levels below 1 percent can provide up to a 65 percent increase in lubricity in distillate fuels. And it has a higher cetane value (51 min vs 40 min for mineral diesel).

B20 biodiesel has an 8-9% lower energy content by volume than petroleum based #2 diesel. And B5 has 1-2% lower energy content. But as you stated biodiesel does have a higher Cetane level and also a higher lubricity than straight ULS #2

[Badbart56]

Originally Posted by Javi

B20 biodiesel has an 8-9% lower energy content by volume than petroleum based #2 diesel. And B5 has 1-2% lower energy content. But as you stated biodiesel does have a higher Cetane level and also a higher lubricity than straight ULS #2

This is true but with the power and torque that my 6.7 makes it isn't missed.

[Javi]

Originally Posted by Badbart56

This is true but with the power and torque that my 6.7 makes it isn't missed.

I miss it in mileage, everytime I'm lucky enough to get clean #2ULS my mileage goes up noticeably.
And the Diesel Kleen in the fuel is noticeably quieter than without.

[vampress_me]

I finally remembered to add some anti-gel yesterday since it was 0 and I knew the truck was going to sit outside all day while I was at work. The station I get diesel from does not have mixed in winter, they still just have #2 and #1 in separate fuel pumps. So, figured it may be a good idea. Otherwise, if we are traveling out west I will add cetane booster when I fill up after the interesting problem in Yellowstone the last time we were there.

BTW - Javi, don’t visit MN if you don’t like biodiesel. They mandated B20 for all diesel about 5 years ago. The stuff is junk when compared to the pre-B20 days. Our truck gets better mileage towing out west where there is no mandate.

[Badbart56]

I really never payed much attention to the mileage on the 6.7. I checked it when I first got it and found it was getting 17.6 empty at 70 mph and 10 when towing at 65 mph. I think it gets about 14 around town.

Now my old 7.3 could get 20.6 provided you kept it at 55 mph on flat ground, but the mileage dropped if you went faster due to the 4:10 gears. At 62 it would get 17 mpg and at 70 mph it was down to 13 mpg.


As for the additives, I found that they were more beneficial when you weren't working the truck hard. It helps prevent carbon buildup around the glow plugs when you're just cruising around in addition to quieting down the engine.

[Javi]

Originally Posted by Badbart56

I really never payed much attention to the mileage on the 6.7. I checked it when I first got it and found it was getting 17.6 empty at 70 mph and 10 when towing at 65 mph. I think it gets about 14 around town.



Now my old 7.3 could get 20.6 provided you kept it at 55 mph on flat ground, but the mileage dropped if you went faster due to the 4:10 gears. At 62 it would get 17 mpg and at 70 mph it was down to 13 mpg.





As for the additives, I found that they were more beneficial when you weren't working the truck hard. It helps prevent carbon buildup around the glow plugs when you're just cruising around in addition to quieting down the engine.

For some reason, maybe bring an engineer... I have kept a running log in Excel of every gallon thru this truck.. and it is very obvious when I don't add the Diesel Kleen for a tank or two, even discounting the difference in noise levels.

I use 16 ounces in a tank (37 gal)... I've used it in the past two trucks and rarely ever miss using it.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

I think you're both right......

Most cooking oil is made from corn, soy or canola (with some peanuts thrown in for good measure). LARD is still used in some places, but typically it's "healthy fried food boiled in low fat oil produced by America's farmers"..... YMMV

Always amuses me how people in Costco or high end grocers have a bottle of non-animal fat cooking oil in the cart and they are buying prime rib or wagyu beef, paying a huge premium to get extra fat.
But I digress, to the OP's question. I use diesel kleen myself and I'm not an additive or "snake oil/mechanic in a can" user. YMMV

[77cruiser]

Originally Posted by vampress_me

I finally remembered to add some anti-gel yesterday since it was 0 and I knew the truck was going to sit outside all day while I was at work. The station I get diesel from does not have mixed in winter, they still just have #2 and #1 in separate fuel pumps. So, figured it may be a good idea. Otherwise, if we are traveling out west I will add cetane booster when I fill up after the interesting problem in Yellowstone the last time we were there.

BTW - Javi, don’t visit MN if you don’t like biodiesel. They mandated B20 for all diesel about 5 years ago. The stuff is junk when compared to the pre-B20 days. Our truck gets better mileage towing out west where there is no mandate.

As cold as it's going to be the next few days I'd go fill up with #1.
Several years ago a guy at work was having problem gelling & kept dumping 911 in still gelled, I told to fill it with #1 till it warmed up.

[SkiSmuggs]

Anti-gel is not needed until temps go negative. I live in Vermont and only add about once a winter when forecasts go crazy cold.