Fuel Additivies

[Wiarton William]

I use cetane that i buy at wally world...I add 8 oz every second tank.....when towing it increases my mileage to 12.3 to 12.8 mpg from around ll.3 to 11.5...If I really take it easy I can stretch the mileage out to 13.2 mpg...it pays for itself and I fell as if the engine is running better....

[Waynem]

I recently completed the Freightliner Seminar (I'm and SOB, remember) and I have the Cummins 340 ISB engine. The instructor is well known in the industry. At one time, he stated, additives were needed for lubricity, but now the fuel (ULSD) had enough lubricity in it to do the job, so additives are not necessary. He did state that if you are comfortable with adding additives, and that is what you want to do, you will not hurt your engine. So, I personally have never used an additive in the Cummins 340 ISB. I'm carrying 32,000+ some pounds and my average MPG for the last two months is sitting at 9.2. When I was in flat country i was running 10.6.

[stiles watson]

I am not sure I believe your "expert". He is at variance with my "experts". In any case, that doesn't address the unreliable cetane rating. It also doesn't account for the increased mileage I get. Guess it depends to whom you want to listen.

[sue531]

We use Stanadyne Performance Formula. The young guys around here say this is good stuff for an LBZ engine.

[richfaa]

There is much to consider.Do the home work then decide. You rarely see cetane rating posted like Octane rating. Hess stations in Florida have them posted as 40 cetane and the 08 Ford is designed for42/ 45 cetane. Shell premium is posted at 45 cetane but they are few a far between. lubricity is another factor the low sulphur content affects lubricity in all year diesels. It is a additive and do we know that all brands add it????..There is a big difference,,Valero fuel for example..We have done the experiment in Florida of running several tanks of Valero diesel adding nothing.. Our MPG dropped and the truck ran like chitty, chitty, bang, bang. We avoid Valero diesel

[Hooker]

Maybe it's a Cummins thing. In our SOB, we have a Cummins 400 ISL...and have been told the same thing, no additives.

[akf15e]

I find it interesting that my GMC truck manual has several pages on additives for gas engines, but doesn't even mention additives for the diesel engine. It's hard to know what to do. All claims of better or worse mileage are suspect, as unless it was under the exact same conditions (vehicle weight, road grade, temperature, winds, etc.), it really means nothing. Performance issue like Rich mentions certainly are tough to deny though. I am going to search for some scientific studies and see what I can learn, rather than rely on anecdotal evidence or opinions.

[jliveit]

Everyone this past winter in Florida said I should use it, Diesel Kleen so I tried it on the 1200 mile trip back and realy did not notice any difference in anything, mileage included. Did make me feel kinda warm and fuzzy inside that it might be good for the engine though.

[Dave Nowlin]

I'm thinking that the over the road Cummings engines probably have higher compression ratios than in our pickups. This might allow lower cetane ratings than in our pickups. They might also run higher temperatures than our pickups. All these things probably factor in. These things make you wonder. If it can be proven beyond doubt that lower cetane ratings do damage to our engines, you would think the government would step in and make the oil companies post the ratings. The fact that they don't and that the manufacturers don't require us to add cetane boosters would leave you to believe the engine won't be damaged without it. Then again who really knows?

[farmboy]

I have never used a cetane booster to my '04.5 ISB Cummins in 7.5 years and 119k plus miles. Most of my miles are without camper hooked up. No trouble yet. Must just be me. Oh well.

[CmdrDewey]

My Ford dealer is connected with a large fuel oil delivery company. They have about 100 trucks in three states and they use Power Service in all of them. Their head truck mechanic recommended it to me. I use PS in the silver container, about 10 oz to 25 gal. As some you are aware, the Ford 6.0 has injector issues. I stopped using the additive for about 5000 miles because I thought it made no difference. Silly me, lost the #1 injector, thankfully under warranty. Now with 102,000 miles on the truck I will always use it. PS in the silver container does not have the anti-gelling and it does raise the cetane 4-5 points and is quite a bit cheaper.
YMM and probably does, Differ

[BigAl52]

Amsoil Diesel Conditioner and I also use there Cetane Boost. It works for me. Al

[jimcol]

I used them in the Ford but based on manufactures recommendations never used them in the Dodge Cummins. Just had it in the dealership to update the ECM codes. In visiting with the mechanic he recommended CRC Diesel Fuel Therapy. He didn't think it improved mileage but felt it really helped in keeping the DPI from clogging, and keeping the injectors clean. He recommended treating every other tank unless you are noticing a problem. If having a problem, put the entire bottle in when you have about 15 gals left in the tank, run the hell out of the engine for 20 miles, then park it overnight. He claims the additive continues to dissolve inpuritys while it sits. Jim