Diesel Fuel Additives: Which Is Best?

Learn about the different diesel fuel additive options.

Diesel fuel additives come in many different varieties. And it seems like everyone has an opinion of which one is best.

Diesel engine fuel standards are very broad, and the fuel that you get at the pump might not always be what your vehicle needs. Since ultra-low sulfur fuels were introduced, many diesel fuels have lacked the lubing and hot-burning properties that your engine needs.

As newer diesel engines become more finely tuned, making sure you have high-quality fuel has never been more important. You should add fuel treatment chemicals to your fuel to keep your car or truck running smoothly and efficiently.

These diesel additives can clean your fuel system, remove water from your tank, add lubrication, break up the fungal growth that diesel is prone to, and boost the cetane rating of your fuel.

These things will make your engine run smoother, give you better mileage, make your engine and fuel system parts last longer, keep your fuel system from getting clogged, and increase your engine’s power.

Learn about a few of the best diesel fuel additives out there with Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

Sta-Bil Diesel Fuel Stabilizer

Sta-Bil Fuel Stabilizer is ideal for storing diesel fuel. It prevents algae growth and sludge in fuel for up to twelve months, and it also cleans your engine’s fuel system.

Most diesel fuels need lubrication added to lube the injector pump in diesel engines. And they prevent it from wearing out. Sta-Bil Diesel Fuel Stabilizer adds the lubrication you need to keep your injector pump in good condition.

Star Tron Enzyme

Star Tron enzyme fuel additive can do a lot of things for your engine. But it mainly stabilizes the fuel and cleans your fuel system.

It also breaks up the water that can build in diesel fuel tanks and allows it to be burned off by the engine. This can give you better mileage and help your engine run smoother.

Star Tron also has many other uses besides being a diesel fuel additive.

Sea Foam

Sea Foam is an all-in-one diesel fuel treatment. It cleans your fuel system, breaks up the water that leads to algae growth, stabilizes your fuel, prevents gelling in the cold, and adds lubrication.

It won’t boost your engine’s power, but it will make it run smoother and give you better mileage.

Sea Foam also has a lot of other uses besides treating diesel fuel.

Howes Lubricator Diesel Treat

Howes Diesel Treat is another great diesel fuel treatment. It prevents gelling, removes water, stabilizes your fuel, and cleans and lubes your fuel system. It reduces smoke and rough idling, increases mileage, and can give you more power.

Howes is a great winter additive, and will prevent gelling in the cold, down to -12° F.

Power Service Diesel Fuel Additives

Power Service is one of the most trusted names in diesel fuel additives. They offer a wide variety of fuel treatments that will boost and improve fuel economy, power, and engine life. Below are some of their top options.

• Bio-Kleen Biocide: Kills the algae in your tank, if you have algae problems.
• Diesel 911: Add it to a system that has water in it or has gelled in the cold to get the engine started again.
• Fuel Supplement With Cetane Boost: A general-purpose, year-round diesel fuel additive that will prevent buildup in your fuel system, lube your fuel, and boost your power.

Lucas Upper Cylinder Lube and Fuel Treatment

Lucas Oil’s diesel fuel additives are some of the best around. This one acts as a fuel system and injector cleaner, lubes your injector pump, and fights the effects of low-sulfur fuel.

The result is longer pump and injector life, easier starts, more power, better fuel mileage, and a smoother-running engine.

So which one is the best?

Unfortunately, none of these diesel fuel additives does all the things your car or truck will need year-round. This is because diesel engines’ needs change with the weather.

Also, different diesel-powered engines perform a bit differently. One of these diesel fuel additives might be ideal for one engine and not work as well in another.

The best way to determine which is right for your car or truck is to try them and stick with the one your engine likes the most.

For more auto guides like this one, visit our Maintenance & Repair Blog.