Frozen diesel can have a profound impact on your truck or vehicle, and preventing this situation is critical to your vehicle’s long-term health. From older vehicles to modern engines, freezing or gelled diesel is always a risk, and it can reduce performance, reliability and fuel efficiency.
One excellent way to improve additive efficiency and reduce costs is through the use of multifunctional winter additives, which fulfill multiple roles using a single product.
How Diesel Additives Improve Winter Performance Beyond Anti-Gel
When it comes to winter diesel protection and maintenance, additives offer some significant benefits. They’re ideal cold-weather solutions for keeping your vehicle running.
Fuel Flow and Engine Efficiency at Low Temperatures
While gelling is a significant concern, a high-quality winter fuel additive for diesel prevents wax crystal formation by modifying the size and structure of paraffin wax the forms during low temperature weather events.
This approach to preventing gelling also offers various secondary benefits like smooth fuel flow between system components, improved combustion and more consistent engine power output.
Enhanced Lubricity and Engine Protection
When you invest in the best diesel additives for cold weather, you get the advantage of added lubricity. Most of these products contain a substance like LX4, which reduces fuel system wear. As a result, the right additive will keep things flowing smoothly and protect critical engine components.
Cetane Boost for Cold Starts
The most effective cold-weather solutions for diesel fuel will also help to improve engine ignition in low temperatures. They help boost the cetane in the fuel for improved function, which prevents rough idling, eliminates hard cold starts and reduces strain on your vehicle’s batteries.
Choosing the Right Additive for Your Diesel Vehicle
When searching for the best diesel additives for cold weather, there are multiple options to consider, including water dispersants, diesel anti-gel additives and cetane improvers.
Everyday Diesel Fuel Treatment With Winter Protection
An everyday diesel fuel additive with winter protection provides year-round support while addressing problems associated with the cold season.
Hot Shot’s Secret EDT+ Winter Defense is an excellent example of this kind of additive. It acts as an additive for day-to-day use, specifically treating problems like fuel gelling and freezing. This beneficial 7-in-1 solution:
- Offers comprehensive water and corrosion protection
- Improves lubricity
- Prevents paraffin wax precipitation
- Boosts cetane levels
- Stabilizes fuel while controlling asphaltenes
- Cleans the injector
While winter diesel maintenance products can be helpful, a multipurpose product is a fantastic way to do more for less.
Targeted Winter Additives
Targeted additives focus on accomplishing one specific task, whether that’s to stop gelling, prevent diesel from freezing or something else entirely.
For example, Diesel Winter Anti-Gel is an additive specifically designed to combat gelling. It offers excellent benefits for areas experiencing extreme cold.
These types of targeted additives are often the preferred solution for emergency use. They can be more efficient at immediately solving a problem, since they’re focused on a specific purpose. On the other hand, multipurpose options are ideal for routine preventive treatment, as they cover multiple aspects.
Key Additive Features to Look For
The best-quality winter diesel maintenance additives will offer a few reliable features, including:
- Wax crystal control: The best additives alter the chemical structure of paraffin wax, reducing or eliminating crystal formation.
- Cold filter plugging point (CFPP) reduction: Many premium additives lower the temperature of CFPP (the point at which crystallization clogs fuel filters) to reduce related problems.
- Fuel stabilizing additives: Additives containing substances that stabilize fuel to make it more reliable are generally the preferred choice.
- Improving lubricity: If an additive improves lubricity, it also improves performance and reduces component wear.
Frequently Asked Questions About Winter Diesel Additives
We’ve compiled some of your most-asked questions about how to stop gelling, diesel freeze prevention and optimal additive use. Find the answers here.
Will additives improve power and fuel economy in winter?
Yes, additives can improve your vehicle’s power and fuel economy in winter. Additives like anti-gelling products and EDT+ Winter Defense contain a cetane booster. Cetane is responsible for easier cold starts and burning the fuel more completely resulting in increased fuel economy.
Can multifunctional additives replace separate anti-gel and cetane boosters?
Yes, multifunctional additives can replace separate products and obtain similar results. The main advantage of using a multipurpose product rather than a targeted one is that you get more value for money. A broad-spectrum product like Hot Shot’s Secret EDT+ Winter Defense prevents gelling, boosts cetane and improves lubricity.
How often should winter additives be used for optimal results?
A targeted product to stop diesel from gelling should be added every time you refuel from the moment the temperature begins to drop to 35°F. An all-purpose winter diesel protection additive should be used before you refuel, throughout the winter season.
Can additives prevent freezing in older diesel engines?
Yes, a high-quality fuel additive can prevent freezing in older diesel engines. It’s best to use additives regularly to prevent fuel from freezing or gelling. The added lubricants in some additives may also help older engines avoid freezing and gelling.
Maximize Your Diesel Performance This Winter
This winter, keep your engine running smoothly and protect components against damage caused by gelling and freezing with premium additives from Hot Shot’s Secret.
Use EDT+ Winter Defense as a trusted everyday treatment to keep your vehicle fuel-efficient and optimized. If you have already gelled up you need an emergency product like Diesel Winter Rescue.