Anti Gel - When do you need it, or do you need it at all?

We normally idle below 15 degrees and start treating fuel with power service anti gel when it gets in the single digits and below. Used to use Howe’s but it failed me a time or two.

The last 3 trucks I ordered were spec with the artic fox tank heaters which help tremendously. Also, running a cover on the grill helps keep the filters from freezing.

 

I’ve had trucks gel up using Howe’s also . I’ve also never had a problem using Power Service .When we had pre emmision trucks kerosene was always the go to when it got really cold , but was told by a few shops to not use kerosene in DPF/DEF equipped trucks that it will harm sensors. Only use 911 in an emergency when gelled up as the directions state. I had a friend using it as a anti gel additive , thinking he would be extra safe , but it’s so strong it disintegrated the paper element in the fuel filters .
When it gets really cold in the single digits or below we’ll also leave them running .

 

I've yet to use it. So far been in temps down to -24 in WHY-OH-MING.

Fuel at the large chains in the cold weather states when you're going there.

At about -10 to -15 without the engine running, the fuel line to my bunk heater will freeze.

That's the sign to idle the truck.

 

This issue is so confusing. I've searched the internet for hours and there so many different opinions on it, it's impossible to know what's right. Scientists and engineers should be able to provide definitive answers, but if they are, I haven't found it.

Anyway, here's what I've picked up:

1. I gelled up, twice, in CO one year, while driving. -16F to -18F. Double dose of anti-gel, and most of the fuel purchased near Denver. After the first time, paid a shop to drive some filters to my truck and change them (the only filters available in all of Colorado -- guess everyone needed them). They charged me $750 for the service. Then idled all night, then headed out in the morning. About 20 miles later, gelled again. But this time I just used 911 and idled a few hours, then it cleared enough to drive on. Moral of the story here seems to be, just don't drive when it's colder than -10F.

2. Was curious about TA's "winterized" diesel. Looked at their website and it says absolutely squat about it. Thanks, TA. Asked a Petro fuel desk manager in York, NE about it and she said she knew nothing about it, except when it gets below 10F they are supposed to add chemicals to the fuel. So, that's something at least: Petro thinks York needs something extra below 10. My gut instinct: TA and others don't "winterize" for the benefit of truckers, they winterize so it doesn't gel up in their tanks and pumps. That's why it's different at every truck stop, even though trucks can travel over 1,000 miles on a fillup.

3. Have read there are actually two issues with diesel fuel in winter: gelling; and water in the fuel that freezes. Water freezing happens at a higher temp than gelling. Anti-gel additives are supposed to do both: prevent the paraffin from separating out, and get the water out of the fuel. And "they" said it works best if you treat the fuel before it gets really cold out.

But again, I've read so many conflicting statements, I don't know what to believe. Sub-zero temps are coming next week, and here's the strategy I'm going to try:
A. Single-dose of anti-gel all of the time in Winter, even when temps are up to 50 by day, and down to 10F. Then double-dose for temps down to --10. Below -10, park it and idle until weather warms up.
B. Idle the engine all night long below 0F (10F if not in a truck stop w/ service shop).

 

Sub-zero I use either 50/50 all #1 fuel. Anti gel hasn’t been so successful in my experience. If you must use anti gel because #1 isn’t available then stay away from Power Service. Hot Shots Secret works great, Stanadyne, or Howe’s if that’s your only choice. I almost gelled you last week with -5 air with “treated” #2 from the pump (treated my ###). Truck stops make more money selling you #2 plus a $20 bottle of anti gel than just treating the fuel themselves.

 

You want to follow this:

• The antigel additive needs mixing by fueling over it.
• Do not expose diesel to temperatures under 30 for many hours. Semi-gelled diesel won’t mix well with the antigel additive.
• Check the temperatures you will be driving through and the location(s) you will be shutting down in. Treat accordingly.

I wouldn’t trust winterized truck stop diesel for temps under 0, unless we’re talking about diesel #1.

The Petro in York, NE, is listed for winterized diesel from November 1st to end of March. TA/Petro truck stops listed under that category don’t say to what degree they will be treated. My guess is to local temperatures.

The other categories are for truck stops that will treat when the temps are under 30 or under 10. There is also a category for truck stops that do not receive any treatment. I agree that the categories are confusing.