Oil and fuel additives

I have heard alot of people call additives is snake oil is that the feeling of most? I also noticed there are huge amounts available it seems that there must be some benefits of using them? Any thoughts

bretttennar wrote:
2016 38ft 36k miles diesel. Thanks this is my first forum

Look up the Chassis Service Manual for your RV ...whichever it is and read what the MFG recommends

Welcome to the forum!!! Here, you'll find answers to any and all questions pertaining to your coach, your equiptment and much much more. Don't feel like any question is stupid because it's not. That's how we learn. Remember too, some people have off days so ignore any snarky remarks and move on to the next post. That said, you'll always get better answers if you can provide your coach info or if it's something attached to the coach, a model number or other identification to help us identify it. i.e. you've said you have a diesel. While this question pertains to diesels in general, you might want to identify it further. Is it a CAT, (orange) Cummins (Red) Detroit (Blue) etc. Finally, use of the search box at the top of the page will provide you with lots of good information on your coach, your engine, tranny and those irritating things inside your coach.

Now to your question: Most diesel manufacturers do not recommend adding any oil additives. Use a good quality oil such as Rotella and change it per the mfg recommendations. I change mine once a year in February but we are full timers and use the coach often. I'm pushing 100,000 miles. If the coach is going to be sitting for any length of time, I make sure the fuel tank is full to minimize any condensation forming in the tank. Water is the bane of diesel fuel. Know, or learn how to drain the water from the fuel. You should have a water separator on the fuel filter and learn how to use it. Read your manual or ask here. Try to fill your coach at major filling stations. I like FlyingJ even though they are more expensive. They have filters on their pumps, 2" fuel hoses and have a huge turnover of fuel in their tanks. This means less chance of you getting water in your tank from theirs. It also means faster fill ups. The only thing I've ever added to the fuel is Diesel 911 which restores the flow of diesel fuel and removes traces of water to help prevent gelling. I add a bottle every other fill up. The paraffin in diesel fuel begins to gel at 10-15 degrees farenheit but it will begin to crystallize at 32 degrees so 911 helps.

Again, welcome to the forum.....Dennis

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I use fuel stabilizer as this new blend ethenol has a shelf life of nothing. Cheaper than repairs. I also use, with amazing results, a product called "Sea Foam" in gunked up carbs. The stuff is amazing and does all it claims

With a diesel, there are two times you want/need an additive:

If storing the fuel over 2 months in the summer or 3 months in the winter, add a BIOCIDE to keep algae from growing. Biobar JF is a common one.

If you fill up in summer or fall and will be keeping the fuel into winter (with below freezing conditions) add an anti-gel. PS brand is stocked in most Walmarts. If filling in winter, the fuel already has been formulated so it will not gel.

Also, be sure to store your diesel tank FULL to minimize condensation.

Others can probably advise on "care and feeding" of your DEF.

lets see oil already has a bunch in it,, fuel has even more hardly any gas in it. nope don,t need more. most is just snake oil . like a air filter will get you 5mpg more.ain,t gonna happen.

2016 38ft 36k miles diesel. Thanks this is my first forum

You really need to give us more information for us to be of assistance.

Advise on diesel fuel additives are of little value if you have a gas coach.

Gas or diesel

Age/miles on it

There are alot (additives) on the market do you just feel they are not needed?