Truck just sitting?

google 'diesel shelf life'

after a year the diesel fuel in my heavy equipment goes funky, the machines still start and run but the exhaust is nasty smelling, Im sure its only down hill from this point.

we burn through the first tanke of fuel quickly and get onto a new tank pretty quickly so we dont worry too much about it. In my truck I would use an additive.

here is a decent read,
fuel additive clicky

Our truck is not a daily driver...I ride my bike to work. The truck can sit for weeks at a time all year long.
I have never used any diesel fuel treatment. Fuel at the pump is blended for the proper season already.
Truck starts right up and goes.
No worries...

Bill

Weeks or months, don't worry about it.
Year or years, do something about it.

That's what I like to hear!

billtex wrote:
Our truck is not a daily driver...I ride my bike to work. The truck can sit for weeks at a time all year long.
I have never used any diesel fuel treatment. Fuel at the pump is blended for the proper season already.
Truck starts right up and goes.
No worries...

Bill

X2. My truck is for hauling the camper, the occasional home project and foul weather 4x4. Sitting for 4-6 weeks or more is not uncommon though I start to get nervous around 6 weeks and try to take the truck for a drive just to keep parts lubricated, not just engine but drive train. Even so I still usually use a couple tanks/year so the age of the diesel isn't a concern. A battery tender helps. I have a small solar powered one in the window of the garage plugged into the cigarette lighter socket that keeps me topped off. Also, when I do give the truck a lube drive I make it long enough that allows the engine to get up to temperature to get rid of any condensation inside the block. Then it's back into the garage until I need it again.

Diesel quality and longevity can vary greatly across the country. Some regions can promote algae growth much quicker than say the Southwest.

Personally, I pour additive into every tank to boost cetane and inhibit potential growth. I've had fuel sit for over a year without issue.

If treated, diesel can sit for up to 5 years. This is one reason why large diesel generators are preferred over gaz0line.

A battery tender helps. I have a small solar powered one in the window of the garage plugged into the cigarette lighter socket that keeps me topped off.

Dual battery Silverado 2500HD here (non diesel). Our truck sits in storage for 7 to 8 months a year (this year an early spring, so only 6 months storage). I stopped using the battery minder probably, hmmm, 8 years ago. I now just disconnect my 2 batteries for storage (it takes me only ~2 minutes to disconnect them), and I disconnect them if we have no driving planned for more than a week. The truck is a 2004.5; and starter battery is still original. After 12 years, it is still like nearly new condition. I've only replaced the accessory battery; that was done last year (at 11 years old) LOL!

...OK, back to the program...

silversand,

As you know, we have a 2004.5 Chevy also but it's the 6.6 diesel (D/A) which has 2 big starter/acc batteries also. Just replaced the OEM batteries last year at 11 years old and over 160K miles. Still started the truck fine but sure didn't want to be somewhere with 2 dead batteries so it was time! Never disconnected them once as the truck (only used since new for RV use with either the Lance TC on or our Carriage Carrilite 5th wheel) very rarely sits idle for even a week.

Heck, I never disconnect the boat batteries for storage from around the first week in November till in May and they are 8 years old now. NO battery minder ever used and the engine starts right up always. Don't disconnect our RV's batteries when in not used season either and have never used a battery minder. Never had them go dead or below 70%. Just fully charge them before storing! All our very MANY (11) batteries are the flooded lead/acid 12V and most are group 31 deep cycle 215 to 225 minute reserve at a 23 amp draw except the truck and SUV starter batteries.

Probably helps a lot that where we live in West Michigan on the lakeshore we don't get below zero F at night or over 90F max as that can really hurt battery life etc.

GMC says not to use additives.
Also have Kubota and Caterpillar diesels that don't get used for six months
to a year and they have no fuel issues.