At what temperature do you need to add anti-gel to fuel tank to prevent any gelling problems? Haven't done any winter driving before now.....thanks in advance for any responses:clap:

 

It's much better to run #1 or a 50/50 mix of #1. Straight #1 will have a lower cloud point than #2 with additives.

 

I agree with above post if you are in sub-zero regions, or at least double dose the additive.

ULSD Winter Blend is good to about 0 degrees F....but why push it? If you are driving in Northern regions where the temperature often dips well below 20F for extended periods of time, start using the additive.

 

If you can get your hands on it, then blend a #1 and #2 mix and add an additive like stated above. Keep in mind, that as long as your engine is running, you can even use #2 with an additive usually down to sub zero temps. There is warm fuel that returns from the engine and will usually keep fuel temps up above 30F even in sub zero temps. This is especially true with Cummins engines, but they all return warm fuel. Once you shut down for any period over a couple of hours, then you are at the mercy of what you have mixed in the tanks.

Just make sure you do not top off the tanks with southern fuel before heading into the colder north. Just get enough fuel to get you into colder regions , then top the tanks with a mix of #1 and #2. Even if you can only get #2 in more northern fuel stops, at least get your fuel and throw in your additive. Northern #2 is usually blended at some level. Also, add your additive BEFORE fueling so that it mixes properly. Filling up and then waiting to throw the additive in when you get to cold areas will not cause it to mix properly and you will get your gell ups. I have found, at least in the upper Midwest, that Pilot and T/A are not that great about keeping winterized #2 in stock. Flying J, Loves, Petro, and Sapp Bros seem to be better about this, but never assume anything.

Just use a little brain power and go with your gut. If you feel you will need an additive or blended fuel, then do so. Better safe than gelled up along side the road!

Oh.... And don't forget to carry spare fuel filters and a adequate filter wrench!!!! You will probably need it at some time or another. A siphon hose to get fuel out the tank to fill the filter before mounting is needed unless you carry an old oil jug or similar with some fuel in it (I like the latter).

 

At quite a number of truck stops in the northern areas, the fuel is being blended at this time of year. If you're going north, the southern fuel may give you problems. If you're going south, the northern fuels keep going without a problem. A number of the companies in the northern regions also supply their drivers with additives. I know of a few that give their drivers the red bottle of 9-1-1. The instructions I've gotten in the past were...

When fueling the last time before coming into the yard and parking the truck, add a small bottle to each tank to keep the fuel liquid while it's parked. Plugging the engine in will help the engine start with the temps below zero, but if the fuel won't go through the filter, it won't run long.

Being down south now, I have not kept up with the reaction of bio-fuel to the cold, but I suspect that I would be adding sooner, and more often. I still have one of those red bottles of 9-1-1 in my truck just in case I have one more run up north before I step out of the truck completely.

 

I was told those 911 bottles are to be used to liquify gelled fuel & will do nothing though to stop fuel from gelling.

 

I run NY only and only add some anti gel if its down in the single digits or if it's going to sit for awhile and I'm not sure what the wheather is going to be. Never had a problem yet( i can't believe I said that!) Up here you start getting "winter blend" around Oct.

I've never seen #1 fuel , is that on road kerosene?

 

K1, #1, #2 are sold where I live. Lots of construction guy's here use K1 kerosene for space heaters. It's not for use in vehicles, and it's also not taxed.
Kerosene contains less cetane than #2 diesel. Cetane is the most universally accepted measure of diesel fuel ignition quality. Kerosene also contains less lubricity than #2 diesel fuel.

#1 diesel is clearly marked on the pump, and it is also more expensive. We use #1 diesel when we are expecting extended sub-zero temps, or some guys mix 50/50 to save some money. For the most part our winter blend #2 is good to zero degrees, so we just add Howes anti-gel. Also, our trucks are all set up with APU's which keep the block heated and batteries at full charge. The majority of our trips are south of here. I'm running #2 with Howes anti-gell additive and have never had a problem. I adjust when I'm heading north of hwy 80, and I buy only enough fuel in the south to get me back up to winter blend.

 

up here in canada all diesel sold in winter is winter blend, i usually never even put any additives in, and never had a problem.

 

Somehow, this doesn't make a lot of sense...

If the fuel is already gelled, and you add it, it is not going to liquify the fuel, than allow it to gel back up. If it will liquify fuel that is already gelled, it certainly can prevent fuel from becoming gelled in the first place. I always added it when I fueled up the last time before parking at he yard. Once, when it sat for a week, it started up without a problem, and ran fine. Other trucks were being put in the shop to thaw them out.

Yes, it does maintain fuel in a liquid state, and does a good job of it too. I also carried a couple of bottles of MELT-DOWN just in case the 9-1-1 wasn't enough.