Common Diesel Fuel Additives and Their Benefits
Your Guide to Improved Performance and More
When it comes to fueling heavy-duty vehicles, raw power is the name of the game. Gasoline simply can’t generate the high torque required for intense hauling, pushing, and pulling—whether it’s powering dump trucks, farm machinery, construction equipment, or long-haul 18-wheelers. These types of fleets depend on diesel fuel to get the job done. However, power alone isn’t always enough. Just like gasoline, diesel can benefit from additives that enhance performance, improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and extend engine life.
Diesel fuel additives fall into several key categories, each designed to optimize engine operation. Cetane improvers boost ignition efficiency, lubricity enhancers reduce wear and tear, and fuel stabilizers prevent degradation over time. Detergents help keep injectors clean, antigel agents prevent fuel from thickening in cold weather, and biocides combat microbial growth in storage tanks. When used correctly, these additives ensure diesel engines run more smoothly and reliably—for both on-road and off-road diesel engines.
On-Road Diesel Benefits
- Enhanced Combustion Efficiency: Cetane improvers increase the cetane number of diesel fuel. The cetane number measures the fuel’s ignition delay—the time between fuel injection and combustion. Higher cetane numbers result in shorter ignition delays, leading to more efficient combustion. Improved combustion enhances engine performance, providing smoother acceleration and better fuel economy. For on-road vehicles, this means reduced fuel consumption and lower operating costs.
- Engine Protection: Modern diesel fuels, particularly ultra-low sulfur diesel, are better for the environment, but they tend to provide less lubrication. This can increase wear and tear on fuel injectors and other components. Lubricity additives improve the lubricating properties of the fuel, reducing friction and wear, and helping extend the life of engine components.
- Cleanliness and Maintenance: Detergents help prevent the build-up of deposits in the fuel injectors and combustion chamber. Clean injectors ensure proper fuel atomization, which is critical for efficient combustion. Regular use of detergent additives can reduce emissions and improve overall engine performance, and result in fewer maintenance issues.
Off-Road Diesel Benefits
- Cold Weather Performance: Antigel additives are particularly beneficial for off-road diesel engines operating in cold climates like ours. Low temperatures cause diesel fuel to gel, which results in fuel flow issues and starting problems. Antigel agents help prevent these issues and ensure reliable engine operation in cold conditions.
- Fuel Stability and Storage: Off-road diesel is often stored for extended periods, leading to fuel degradation. Fuel stabilizers prevent oxidation and the formation of sludge and varnish, ensuring that it remains usable over long storage periods. This is especially important for emergency generators, seasonal equipment, and other situations where you may not use off-road diesel immediately.
- Prevent Microbial Growth: Biocides prevent microbial growth in diesel fuel. Water contamination in diesel storage tanks can lead to the growth of bacteria and fungi, causing fuel contamination and system clogging. Biocides eliminate these microorganisms, ensuring clean fuel and preventing costly downtime for off-road machinery.
Your Fleet-Fueling Partner
With 30 years in business, Southville has built a reputation for reliability—just ask all the customers who’ve been with us since Day One. We understand how having the gasoline and diesel fuel you need—when you need it—is critical to the success of your business. Our on-road and off-road fueling services are convenient and dependable for trucking, construction, and farm equipment needs, saving you time and money.
Contact us to become a customer today.
