Diesel Fuel Additives 2026: What Are You Running and Why?

[Mike]

I’m going to keep a running 2026 thread on diesel additives. Fuel quality varies a lot depending on where you buy, and additives are one of those things people either swear by or never touch. I’m not looking for marketing claims — I want real-world notes from drivers and owner-ops: what you run, what problem you’re solving (anti-gel, lubricity, injector cleaning, water control, performance), and what you’ve actually noticed over time.

Reply with:

• Additive name
• Why you use it
• When you use it (every fill, winter only, etc.)
• What changed (starts, idle, MPG, regens, filters, smoke, etc.)
• Truck/engine (optional)

 

[Mike]

I’ve bounced around with different additives, but for a while now I’ve been running Hot Shot’s EDT.


Why I use it: mainly to help keep the fuel system clean. If I get any performance or MPG bump, that’s a bonus.

How I dose it: they recommend 1 oz per 25 gallons for maintenance and 2 oz per 25 gallons for performance. I run the performance dose, and I round down to the lowest 25-gallon increment when I fuel.

I’m not claiming it’s “the best” additive, but I do think it’s up near the top. The buying options are easy too. I can order it online cheaper than truck stop pricing, and if I run out on the road I can still grab it at many truck stops.

What I’ve noticed: the engine seems to run quieter with it. I went a long stretch without an additive at one point and noticed the difference right away. MPG might be slightly better, but with a one-truck operation it’s hard to prove.

What convinced me to start running an additive wasn’t MPG claims — it was looking at maintenance cost per mile and downtime numbers from small/medium fleets. The difference was enough to make it worth trying.

Truck: 2021 Freightliner Cascadia — DD15 Detroit, 505 hp.

 

[AK7]

Power Service if it's going to be subzero and it's going to be parked for a while.
I have the tank heaters,so if it's running, I ain't skeeeered.

 

[Mike]

Power Service if it's going to be subzero and it's going to be parked for a while.
I have the tank heaters,so if it's running, I ain't skeeeered.

I have tank heaters as well, very nice to have. With the APU combined, I never worry about winterizing the fuel with this truck.

 

[mndriver]

I’ve bounced around with different additives, but for a while now I’ve been running Hot Shot’s EDT.


Why I use it: mainly to help keep the fuel system clean. If I get any performance or MPG bump, that’s a bonus.

How I dose it: they recommend 1 oz per 25 gallons for maintenance and 2 oz per 25 gallons for performance. I run the performance dose, and I round down to the lowest 25-gallon increment when I fuel.

I’m not claiming it’s “the best” additive, but I do think it’s up near the top. The buying options are easy too. I can order it online cheaper than truck stop pricing, and if I run out on the road I can still grab it at many truck stops.

What I’ve noticed: the engine seems to run quieter with it. I went a long stretch without an additive at one point and noticed the difference right away. MPG might be slightly better, but with a one-truck operation it’s hard to prove.

What convinced me to start running an additive wasn’t MPG claims — it was looking at maintenance cost per mile and downtime numbers from small/medium fleets. The difference was enough to make it worth trying.

Truck: 2021 Freightliner Cascadia — DD15 Detroit, 505 hp.

You getting it straight from hot shots?

The rep I worked with gave me some pretty decent deals compared to retail.

I stopped into their shop a couple times and saved myself the shipping costs too

 

[mndriver]

I stopped using additives and just started blending with #1.

 

[Mike]

You getting it straight from hot shots?

Yeah, order a few times online, then a rep contacted me and offered a better deal

 

[gearjammer]

at one time motor kote had a really good fuel treatment but the government made them take it off the market, they still have the best oil treatment on the market though

 

[Mike]

I stopped using additives and just started blending with #1.

Haven't had to worry about the winter issues with this truck, but may on the next truck. Probably won't invest in tank heaters on the next one.

Had a source for #1 in Lamar Missouri that I used to use with the previous truck when heading north, but they sold out and became a Casey's now, so the #1 option is gone.

 

[mndriver]

Haven't had to worry about the winter issues with this truck, but may on the next truck. Probably won't invest in tank heaters on the next one.

Had a source for #1 in Lamar Missouri that I used to use with the previous truck when heading north, but they sold out and became a Casey's now, so the #1 option is gone.

That’s what’s been the biggest issue…

Finding a reliable source for #1.

With the newer engines, the sheer level of fuel return is basically negating a need for tank heaters anyway.