Diesel Additive Testing

[StephenPT]

A couple of YT channels have recently tested a handful of diesel additives that are on the market. There's some interesting results from both tests and similar correlations that show some products are better than others. I've been a long time user of Stanadyne - after watching both of these tests I see about the only thing I'm getting from it is a small boost in cetane.

I'm going to try the Opti Lube XPD the next chance I get - they seem to have the best balance of cetane boost and lubricity.

Curious what others are using and their experiences...

 

[Jay P Wy]

I have an engineering background (nuclear eng). In the 2nd video I have some issues with his method of testing. In the tests where he didn't add to diesel fuel prior to testing make the test invalid. Doing a wear test of the pure product without adding it to diesel is useless. It's ment to be added to fuel at a ratio so for wear testing it should have been added to the fuel to see the change (or compared to untreated fuel). As for the demulsify part you want the water to stay in large drops so the water separator can remove it. At the high pressure these fuel systems operate at any water can destroy the high pressure pump and the injectors. Haven't watched the 1st video yet, don't have 45 min to spare at the moment.

 

[2024 White Tahoe]

A couple of YT channels have recently tested a handful of diesel additives that are on the market. There's some interesting results from both tests and similar correlations that show some products are better than others. I've been a long time user of Stanadyne - after watching both of these tests I see about the only thing I'm getting from it is a small boost in cetane.

I'm going to try the Opti Lube XPD the next chance I get - they seem to have the best balance of cetane boost and lubricity.

Curious what others are using and their experiences...

Why wouldn’t you use the additive recommended / sold by GM (ACDelco)?

 

[Stbentoak]

This probably won't be popular, but I think additives are a complete waste of money.. I've had diesels for 25+ years. Never used anything but a little bit of power service when it's cold out. All additives do is drive up your cost per mile. All the systems on these vehicles have been engineered with Ultra low sulfur diesel in mind. The big thing is to buy quality fuel at a place that goes through it and change your filters reasonably often. Other than that, just drive them.
Never had anyone tell me "If you would have used an additive this X wouldn't have happened"....Maybe I'm just lucky...

 

[Silverado4x4]

This probably won't be popular, but I think additives are a complete waste of money.. I've had diesels for 25+ years. Never used anything but a little bit of power service when it's cold out. All additives do is drive up your cost per mile. All the systems on these vehicles have been engineered with Ultra low sulfur diesel in mind. The big thing is to buy quality fuel at a place that goes through it and change your filters reasonably often. Other than that, just drive them.
Never had anyone tell me "If you would have used an additive this X wouldn't have happened"....Maybe I'm just lucky...

I agree with you 100%, Diesel additives are a big waste of money in today's Diesel motors. But yes just stay away from those small mom and pop fuel stations and only deal with fuel stations that have alot of volume in fuel turn over.

 

[Koolaid6666]

I use Max Mileage -Fuel Borne catalyst From Pittsburgh power Use it in Three sprinters and Two Semi Trucks and my Tahoe. I recommend trying.

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[captras]

I agree with you 100%, Diesel additives are a big waste of money in today's Diesel motors. But yes just stay away from those small mom and pop fuel stations and only deal with fuel stations that have alot of volume in fuel turn over.

I agree to a point. I do feel, after all my research, cetane levels in US diesel fuel is, at best, marginal, even in major brand fuels. Most of the reputable additives do give a slight boost your cetane levels, and that is a boost to performance and fuel economy numbers to some degree. Also, lubricity suffers allot under ultra low sulfur fuels and many of the additives increase lubricity to some degree. In most cases they make the lubricity numbers equal to or better than European standards. If you have a Bosch fuel pump that can be important. Some additives, like the GM and Opti-Lube brands, can add $1 per gallon to your fill up cost. Certainly the cost vs benefit for these is questionable if not ridiculous. I have chosen to use Hot Shot Secrets EDT. It's kinda mid range results in independent lab tests, but does show positive results. AND, at just an additional 5 cents per gallon, it's not expensive. I have read nothing about negative effects in using any of the additives for my Duramax, as long as it is a demulsifier. So, to me, the benefits may be small, but it's cheap insurance. Now oil additives ARE a bad thing. No positive affects, and in some cases, they can actually cause problems. Not an expert... just my opinion based on my research.