Anti gel additive

Howes Diesel Treat Anti-gel (guaranteed not to gel) or Hot Shot Secret Anti-gel. I wouldn't give a plumb nickel for Powerserve (white bottles), but they make 911 and that stuff is VERY GOOD!

Grit dog wrote:
Really nothing to worry about unless you're traversing the country and may have fuel you bought from a warm weather area still on board when it gets cold. The oils companies treat the fuel for the climate in that area.
Case in point, never adddd anything to diesel in AK from ANC to the N Slope. But I've had fuel gel in NM when I bought it in Albq and then went to the mountains.
If it is going to be much colder than the avg temps for the area and you're passing through its good insurance.
About 5 years ago in Denver, the oil distributors, whoever treats the fuel, skimped on additive due to unseasonably warm temps. Got a below zero snap that gelled almost every diesel in Denver including all my equipment. Couldn't buy a bottle of 911 or diesel treatment everywhere. I ended up driving home that night to the western slope in my gasser and bought out a Napa of all their 911!

x2. I've been in temps approaching -40F with our duramax and never had gelling or starting problems. Local fuel is blended to take into account the lowest expected temps. the only time I'd be concerned is if I had a 1/2 tank or more from a very warm area and ended in a very cold climate. The easiest solution would then be to just fill up locally.

and I never ever fill with #1. yes, it is available in some places we visit in the winter but the #2 is blended with anti gel additives to account for the temp. #1 is very poor lubricity and lower energy content than #2. Blended #2 is slightly lower than #1 for energy content but doesn't sacrifice lubricity.

Wait a couple days, it will warm up

I have had two vehicles experience fuel jelling though it has been 17+ years back. Temps. were below zero and I was using name brand fuel supposedly treated for the temperature. Since then I have used Stanadyne's year around additive and not had any further issues.

Really nothing to worry about unless you're traversing the country and may have fuel you bought from a warm weather area still on board when it gets cold. The oils companies treat the fuel for the climate in that area.
Case in point, never adddd anything to diesel in AK from ANC to the N Slope. But I've had fuel gel in NM when I bought it in Albq and then went to the mountains.
If it is going to be much colder than the avg temps for the area and you're passing through its good insurance.
About 5 years ago in Denver, the oil distributors, whoever treats the fuel, skimped on additive due to unseasonably warm temps. Got a below zero snap that gelled almost every diesel in Denver including all my equipment. Couldn't buy a bottle of 911 or diesel treatment everywhere. I ended up driving home that night to the western slope in my gasser and bought out a Napa of all their 911!

Well I don't use the "off the shelf" stuff. I did some research and now use these products. I use the XPD year round 1/4 oz. per gallon of fuel is no more costly than 2 cycle oil for lubrication, and protects down to -10 (does require 1/2 oz per gallon), just doesn't get that cold around here.

Opti-Lube

You have an 04 Ford and I assume it's diesel since you're asking about diesel additive, the answer would depend on where you are. Your profile says New Mexico. I have an 05 Ford 6.0 diesel and am in cold weather all of the time.

Here, they sell #1 from late Sept (usually) on. However, when headed up the highway to go moose hunting in mid Sept when it can be down to 10* F, sometimes #1 is available and you go with what you can get. I can't say I've had any problem running on #2 diesel in that weather.

When the fuel supply switches to #1, I start adding Power Service (in the white bottles, not the grey or red bottles) when I fill up primarily because the refiners take a lot of the waxes out of #1 fuel so it lacks lubricity to lubricate the fuel pump and injectors. A lot of new people up here loose their fuel pumps and have to spend big money to replace them.

I don't think you need to worry about it.

Bill

Below 30 degrees F we use #1 diesel or Power Service + cetane in the winter. In the summer you can use Power Service Kleen + cetane in the silver bottle. If I have a full storage tank, 500 gals, of #2 diesel and the weather turns cold I use Power Service. Otherwise I just order out # 1 diesel. Power Service works well in large storage tanks or just diesel fuel tanks. No need for it in warm weather unless you use their Kleen + cetane. I use diesel for my tractors. My MH is a gasser.