Winter & Trucks

[lunachic]

You are sitting in the midwest, And your truck freeze's up running. 9 below 0
Do you know why? and what you should have done prior.
treament..............................
They r working the parking lot. $500. bucks to get ur truck started.
Most of the ones that are frozen are trucks from the South and West Duh..And know not ours.
Most o/op know. Bossman better teach ur drivers.

 

[rebel]

My wife says not enough additive in fuel (methyl alcohol I think) and/or the fuel tank got too low. She's blonde and smart.

 

[FlatBroke]

I run mostly in Michigan and Ohio and PA...my company's mechanic recently told me to start adding fuel additive to my tanks every other day to keep it from gelling up.

I asked if the company would reimburse this expense and he said he didn't know but would find out. I said yea, you had better because I am not adding it unless they will reimburse me.

 

[lunachic]

They should pay it's there truck and it's alot cheaper then having someone come out and get it started.
Not to mention he's seeing trucks freeze up running, Saftey.

 

[RobW]

Many fuel stations have pre-treated fuel these days. I still use an additive when I'm not sure(except I'm out). Anti-gel is a must in the cold parts. My company is being so cheap right now, I'm looking to have my truck freeze soon. They've allowed me to get below 1/4 tank and it's about 33 out. Last night it was in the teens and I was convinced I'd be freezing, but no...

This is a good time to start paying closer attention to inspections too... Tire pressures drop, wipers wear and break more, lights go out and plastics crack more easily.

 

[lunachic]

Mine is up in the negatives. I do'nt know which is more of a shock to the truck.
Tanks staying full or that sub human weather.
He's adding additive every other day.
He is pulling a reefer right now and they are having problems keeping the units running.
He has had a jump cable on his for 2 day's now and it's still not starting.

 

[Mike]

If you are buying fuel up North, the additive should already be there. They might not be putting it in all the pumps down South yet, but if they aren't they should soon be doing so. At least that is what I was always told, LOL.

If you are fueling in a Southern State, best to add something before you go North, just to be safe.

 

[AKDoug]

Fuel in the north should be winter blend by now, but it often isn't. I brought a new pickup north from N.C. to Alaska last winter and there still wasn't winter blend diesel in the pumps in January. I went through 4 filters and gelled four times crossing from N.H. to N.D.

Use additive at every fillup. I happen to use PowerService, but there are other good ones out there. It is important that the additive be warm, so keep it in a warm area or buy it fresh from the store when you fuel up. If you get stuck with a bunch of bad fuel the best cure is called Diesel 911. It's an additive made by PowerService, but it is NOT recommended for running full time. Alcohol is BAD for injectors and should be limited in it's use. You will need to add the 911 to the tanks and a little should be added directly to the fuel filter. If it's not a bad freeze up that will get the truck running.

Lucky for us in Alaska this is only an issue in October when they are switching from summer blend to winter.

 

[Roadmedic]

My company told us to start adding in November. We run the midwest. I get it at the shop and tried to buy with the card when fueling. Company does not allow the purchase of the additive. They want us to buy it and then pay us back a week or so later. Told them I am not their bank.

 

[trashauler]

Like Bull said if you are buying fuel up North it is already treated. Most of the trucks you see on the side of the road up here are guys that purchased fuel in a warmer climate that was not treated. Stay away from Biofuel. It is the worst thing you can run in the winter. Most addatives are non compatible with it as well. If you are in the midwest often invest in a fuel heater. I recommend the Davco. It is heated by coolant and also acts as a filter and water sep.