Top Duramax Fuel & Oil Additives

Premium Fuel and Oil Additives for Duramax Diesel Engines

Duramax engines are renowned for their power and durability. Their robust construction makes them a popular choice for heavy-duty applications. However, these high-output powertrains also demand proper maintenance to perform at their best.

Hot Shot’s Secret additives are purpose-built to protect and enhance General Motors’ (GM) diesel engine series. Explore our selection of scientifically formulated Duramax fuel and oil additives.

Why Duramax Owners Trust Hot Shot’s Secret

Trucks, whether for fleet or personal use, perform demanding tasks that require powerful engines. They’re the go-to vehicles for hauling and towing, carrying substantial weight that calls for extreme force.

As much as trucks are powerful behemoths, they also need care for reliability and longevity. For these reasons, GM truck owners, fleet operators and diesel technicians rely on Hot Shot’s Secret. Our fuel treatment for Duramax engines offers several benefits, such as:

Cleaner injectors: We use a blend of synthetic cleaners that safely and effectively remove external and internal diesel injector deposits (IDIDs), leading to better throttle response and fuel economy.

Reduced stiction: Our additives contain strong cleaning agents that dissolve sludge buildup. They keep stiction at bay, particularly in the earlier Duramax generations, such as LB7 and LLY engines.

Less DPF regen frequency and soot buildup: Our Duramax oil additives improve fuel combustion and reduce soot buildup, which helps reduce the frequency of regeneration cycles, especially for the LMM, LML and L5P engine variants.

Protection against fuel system wear: Our multitasking additives clean, lubricate and prevent damage caused by corrosion, moisture and deposits, especially for vehicles using ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD).

Enhanced oil film strength: Our additives’ unique combination of ingredients improves the host oil’s resistance to wear and tear, allowing it to perform under high loads or extreme towing conditions.

Recommended Products for Duramax Engines

Hot Shot’s Secret offers a broad selection of Duramax fuel additives to solve the most common issues with Duramax diesel engines. These include:

Stiction Eliminator: Engineered to remove stiction, varnish and sludge, this engine oil treatment improves performance and reduces engine wear by up to 62%.

Diesel Extreme: Our concentrated injector cleaner removes all IDIDs using cetane booster, fuel stabilizer and lubricity additive for maximum efficiency.

Everyday Diesel Treatment (EDT): This six-in-one diesel additive addresses issues with ultra low sulfur diesel and enhances the lubrication protection of fuel systems in all diesel engines.

FR3 Friction Reducer: Our lubricity-enhancing oil additive strengthens the lubricating and wear reduction properties of your vehicle’s host oil.

EDT + Winter Defense: Our 7-in-1 everyday diesel treatment is formulated to prevent diesel from gelling and icing.

Shift Restore: This dual-function transmission protectant and cleaner dissolves gum and varnish on the surface of your precision transmission components, solving erratic and inconsistent shifting, excessive noise and overheating.

Premium DEFender: This concentrated formula cleans and prevents Diesel Exhaust Fluid crystal buildup, eliminating harmful deposits in the Selective Catalytic Reduction system.

Product Compatibility Guide for Duramax Engines

Every Duramax engine offers different capabilities for drivers and truck operators. Let’s break down each engine type, its common problems, and the best additive for Duramax diesel.

LB7 Duramax (2001-2004)

GM’s first Duramax diesel 6.6L V8 engine, the LB7 Duramax, is known for producing 300 horsepower. It’s lightweight yet durable, offering reliability and efficiency to users.

• Common issues: The LB7 Duramax is prone to injector failures due to carbon and varnish buildup and has no exhaust gas recirculation (EGR).
• Recommended products: Diesel Extreme, EDT, FR3, EDT+ Winter Defense 

LLY Duramax (2004.5-2006)

Introduced as a replacement for the LB7, the LLY Duramax featured significant improvements, like the EGR system and a variable geometry turbocharger. It offered more power but had issues, such as overheating and reliability concerns.

• Common issues: This engine is known for overheating, especially under heavy load, and EGR fouling due to clogging. Failing head gaskets are also common in higher-mileage engines.
• Recommended products: Stiction Eliminator, Diesel Extreme, EDT, EDT+ Winter Defense 

LBZ and LMM Duramax (2006-2010)

Both were used on the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado heavy-duty trucks, but the LMM Duramax (2007.5-2010), which was launched later than the LBZ (2006-2007), featured a diesel particulate filter (DPF). The two engines were reliable, but LMM was ahead in power and durability.

• Common issues: Both engines require clean combustion and injector maintenance.
• Recommended products: Diesel Extreme, EDT, EDT+ Winter Defense, FR3

LML Duramax (2011-2016)

GM mainly used the LML in its heavy-duty pickup trucks to offer key updates in line with new emissions standards. It offered increased power and torque and better fuel efficiency.

• Common issues: This engine features a high-pressure fuel system prone to CP4 pump issues.
• Recommended products: EDT (lubricity), Diesel Extreme, FR3, EDT+ Winter Defense, Premium DEFender

L5P Duramax (2017-present)

The latest Duramax engine features significant improvements, including increased power and torque, upgraded fuel and cooling systems, and improved towing capacity.

• Common issues: The L5P sees advanced emissions systems (Silicon-Controlled Rectifier, DPF and EGR) and high cylinder pressures.
• Recommended products: Diesel Extreme, EDT, FR3, Premium DEFender, EDT+ Winter Defense 

Duramax Diesel Additive FAQs

See some of the most commonly asked questions about Duramax fuel additives.

Are These Additives Safe for My Duramax Emissions System?

Yes. Our additives are considered safe for use in Duramax emissions systems, delivering improvements in fuel economy and overall performance.

How Often Should I Use Diesel Extreme vs. EDT?

EDT is a daily treatment ideal for boosting lubricity and cetane. We recommend using it at every fill-up, while Diesel Extreme, with its deep cleaning capability, is suitable for use every 6,000 miles.

Can I Use Stiction Eliminator With FR3?

Although compatible, we don’t recommend using the two products together as they are designed for separate oil changes. We suggest using Stiction Eliminator in the initial oil change and FR3 in the next ones, then using Stiction Eliminator every third oil change.

Will Additives Void My GM Powertrain Warranty?

No. Hot Shot’s Secret additives are safe and compliant. They are safe for use and will not void your GM powertrain’s warranty.

Shop Fuel and Oil Additives for Duramax Diesel Engines

Make the most out of your Duramax engine with Hot Shot’s Secret’s full range of performance-enhancing additives. Shop our products chosen specifically for your engine.