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Diesel Additive for Winter: Should You Use It?

March 3, 2022

Diesel Additive for Winter: Should You Use It?

Protecting your diesel engine in the winter is a crucial part of ensuring your truck’s longevity. Modern diesel engines have made significant strides in how they withstand cold weather, but harsh temperatures can still impact performance and result in long-term damage or short-term repairs.

The good news is that you can use a diesel additive for winter weather, designed to help your engine function at its best despite the low temperatures protecting your truck’s systems in the process.

As we consider the potential advantages of using a diesel fuel additive for winter, let’s go over whether you need it, why it can be helpful, and how to choose the right diesel cold weather additive for your needs.

Should I Use Diesel Fuel Additives in the Winter? 

Before considering specific types of diesel fuel additives for winter, you need to decide if it’s necessary for your specific situation. After all, as mentioned earlier, most modern diesel engines have become much more resilient to ambient temperature changes than in the past. So is a diesel winter additive really necessary?

The short answer is that while your truck may be completely fine in cold weather, it does still put a strain on diesel engines. In other words, it’s almost always beneficial to take additional steps to protect your truck’s fuel system and prepare it to withstand the harsh weather conditions it may be exposed to.

One of the most common issues that diesel engines can face is the formation of gelled paraffin lumps clogging the fuel filters and causing issues such as difficulty starting the engine or power loss.

This happens because while paraffin is an integral part of diesel engines, it has a pesky tendency to gel and form clumps. The good news is that in many situations, the lumps aren’t big enough to cause severe damage or clog the filters, but if the temperatures get low enough, it can happen over time.

Of course, the specific qualities of diesel fuel are also determined by its composition. Generally, the diesel fuel you get in colder climate areas will be better suited to handle cold weather and less likely to clump. But even then, the quality of the diesel fuel can vary significantly from one gas station to another.

To put yourself in the best position to withstand the challenges of driving a diesel truck in winter, consider replacing your fuel filter if it has been in use for a while. And in addition, using a diesel additive for winter can be an excellent preventive measure that lowers the gelling point of the fuel and protects your fuel system from becoming clogged.

The Benefits of Winter Fuel Additives

Using a winter fuel additive can offer a range of advantages, which is why it’s been such a popular option for years. Let’s look at some of the biggest benefits you can expect.

  • Ensure Peak Performance. A diesel additive for winter can be beneficial if you want to avoid frustrating (and costly) issues with your truck. Whether it’s regarding the engine or decreased performance on the road, a good gas additive for winter can help prevent many of the problems an engine might face in cold temperatures.
  • Avoid Gelling. Gelling is a common issue with diesel gas that gets below a certain temperature. While the specific temperature can vary, the end result is that the gel lumps become too big and start clogging the filters. A diesel fuel additive for cold weather is an effective way of preventing that from happening.
  • Protect Your Fuel System. Finally, when you use a diesel additive for winter, you reduce the strain when filtering and injecting fuel. And that can help significantly prolong its lifetime.

The Best Winter Fuel Additives

At this point, you probably have a pretty good understanding of why it’s smart to use diesel fuel additives for cold weather. But which one should you use? Each truck and each truck owner is unique, and you need to find the leading option for your needs. This could be finding the best winter fuel additive for unleaded gas, extremely cold winters, or other special situations.

To help you get started, let’s go over a few popular options.

  • Hot Shot’s Secret Diesel Extreme. This might be the single best overall fuel additive out there. It will not only prevent lumping and lubricate your injectors, it will also remove contaminants and even increase the diesel’s cetane score. 
  • Lucas Oil Anti Gel. Another popular option suitable for both gas and diesel engines is the Lucas Oil Anti Gel. It’s an excellent solution that prevents the paraffin wax from lumping together and also helps remove moisture from the fuel system.
  • Power Service Fuel Supplement. The Power Service fuel supplement comes with a range of benefits, lowering the waxing point of diesel fuel, acting as a lubricant, and boosting cetane levels.

The Bottom Line

Using a diesel additive for winter is a great way to protect your truck from serious fuel system issues. And if you want additional protection for your vehicle, consider a Peragon quick-release and fully-retractable truck bed cover. All of our covers are built at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Wisconsin, with free shipping directly to your door.If you want to learn more about our selection of products, send an email to sales@peragon.com or call 877-473-7246 today!

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