Which Diesel Anti-Gel Additive is Best? Let's find out!

6oh · November 5th, 2019, 09:05

Project Farm is one of the YouTube channels i subscribe to, and he's a great watch for impartial product comparison tests.... he just did a video of something of our interest (or not, if you can do not use the stuff), Diesel fuel additives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8gDN_6esfs

imo000 · November 5th, 2019, 10:31

Is he testing it against a winter blend diesel?

6oh · November 5th, 2019, 10:56

Thought that was well, and looks like a summer blend... some commenters did ask for an update to exactly which control sample of the diesel fuel used.

amit9 · November 5th, 2019, 13:15

The guy is in a t-shirt in the video, so that gives it away that it was shot in warmer weather, hence used summer fuel...

lanorg · November 13th, 2019, 16:16

I'm not sure about the rest of you, but winter blend fuels in Ontario hit my fuel economy by a good 10% give or take - some of it might be cold related, not sulfur.

I only add cetane booster to my fuel, nothing with anti-gel properties.

amit9 · November 14th, 2019, 10:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by lanorg

I only add cetane booster to my fuel, nothing with anti-gel properties.

Which cetane booster do you use?

Savageman69 · November 14th, 2019, 20:22

i have always used power service.....but recently in the last couple years been using hot shots stuff and i really like it.

Uberhare · November 14th, 2019, 23:51

I've always just used the fuel as-is that comes out of the pump.

imo000 · November 15th, 2019, 07:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uberhare

I've always just used the fuel as-is that comes out of the pump.

Me too. No additives of any kind, EVER! Had a diesel for 15 years and never had a gelling issue. The internet hype is so strong on this that people now believe additives are must or else they engines will fail. The car manufacturer would have never demanded this since it would have been a nightmare for all the cars when they were under warranty.

phantom1260 · November 15th, 2019, 08:06

I only use additives if I'm going on a road trip and may have to fill up from a questionable fuel station. For cetane and lubricity reasons. Other than that I'll consider an additive if were getting into -45 C territory.

I remember my dads sprinter would not start some days when the temperatures dipped that low and he had not added an anti-gel. That's also because the sprinter would not fit in the garage. If it were to get that cold the Jetta would be okay since it would be parked in the garage with the frost heater plugged in.

I've also seen my uncle having trouble getting his Semi-Truck started on those days. After using a lot of starting fluid and an anti-gel it would eventually start.

imo000 · November 18th, 2019, 12:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by phantom1260

I only use additives if I'm going on a road trip and may have to fill up from a questionable fuel station. For cetane and lubricity reasons. Other than that I'll consider an additive if were getting into -45 C territory.

I remember my dads sprinter would not start some days when the temperatures dipped that low and he had not added an anti-gel. That's also because the sprinter would not fit in the garage. If it were to get that cold the Jetta would be okay since it would be parked in the garage with the frost heater plugged in.

I've also seen my uncle having trouble getting his Semi-Truck started on those days. After using a lot of starting fluid and an anti-gel it would eventually start.

When is the last time you were anywhere near where it was -45C?

jackbombay · November 18th, 2019, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by imo000

When is the last time you were anywhere near where it was -45C?

With the windchill added in?

The only relevant number for cars is the actual temp, not windchill numbers.

phantom1260 · November 18th, 2019, 14:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by imo000

When is the last time you were anywhere near where it was -45C?

I think it was February 2015 something about a polar vortex it was around -45 with windchill and I think again around new years 2018 it was in that range.

I know windchill doesn't really make much of a difference to the car though. It must have at least been in the -25 area without windchill in those days.

jackbombay · November 18th, 2019, 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by phantom1260

I think it was February 2015 something about a polar vortex it was around -45 with windchill and I think again around new years 2018 it was in that range.
I know windchill doesn't really make much of a difference to the car though. It must have at least been in the -25 area without windchill in those days.

Looks like it bottomed out at -25*C in february of 2015.

https://weatherspark.com/h/m/146971/...Airport-Canada

DivineChaos · November 18th, 2019, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by imo000

When is the last time you were anywhere near where it was -45C?

last winter. minnesota baby. has gotten as cold as -60f. last year coldest was -56f without wind one day. also seen temps as high as 114f in summer.