The Best Diesel Fuel Additives For Your Tank

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Plus, how often you should use diesel fuel additives

Co-authored by Marcus Pruitt, BS Reviewed by Charley Helvy

Last Updated: March 19, 2025 Fact Checked

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Best Additives

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Do additives really work?

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Can you use too much?

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Rejuvenating Old Fuel

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Why Old Fuel Is Bad

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Tips

When choosing the right diesel fuel alternative, it’s best to pick one that improves lubricity and fuel economy and helps prevent your fuel from gelling. Since there are so many diesel fuel additives to choose from, we put this article together to help you decide. Read on to learn about the best diesel fuel additives, how to rejuvenate old diesel fuel, and more.

Best Diesel Fuel Additives

Section 1 of 5:

What are the best diesel additives?

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1
Hot Shot’s Diesel Extreme Hot Shot’s Diesel Extreme fuel additive removes any injector deposits, which increases engine performance and efficiency. It also boosts the engine power, removes excess water, and cleans and lubricates the engine system for maximum performance. Hot Shot’s Diesel Extreme fuel additive also helps increase your average miles per gallon.^{[1]
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- How Often to Use: Treat your diesel fuel with Hot Shot Diesel Extreme every 6,000 miles (9656.064 kilometers).
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Hot Shot’s Diesel Winter Anti-Gel Not only does Hot Shot’s Diesel Winter Anti-Gel boost power and add lubricity, but it also disperses moisture and helps improve cold starts in the winter, reducing the stress on your engine. It also reduces fuel line freezes down to -40℉ (-40℃), helping fuel flow to the engine and preventing further stress on your vehicle.^{[2]
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- How Often to Use: Once the temperature drops below 32℉ (0℃), add Hot Shot’s Diesel Winter Anti-Gel whenever you fill up your tank.
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Archoil Diesel Fuel Additive The Archoil Diesel Fuel Additive cleans the injectors, increases your fuel economy, and extends the life of your engine. It also restores your power and fuel efficiency to optimal levels and reduces carbon deposits throughout the engine. It also lubricates the fuel system and protects it from premature failure.^{[3]
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- How Often to Use: Treat your diesel fuel with the Archoil diesel fuel additive every 5,000 miles (8046.72 kilometers).
4
Opti-Lube XPD The Opti-Lube XPD is a diverse diesel fuel additive that keeps the injectors clean, prevents the fuel from gelling together, and improves gas mileage. It also prevents water from building up and improves lubrication. The preventative measures that make sure the fuel doesn’t gel keep it flowing down to -10℉ (-23.33℃).
- How Often to Use: Treat your diesel fuel with Opti-Lube XPD whenever you fill your tank.
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Opti-Lube XL The Opti-Lube XL diesel fuel additive is one of the best diesel fuel additives in terms of lubricity. It’s an affordable additive that keeps the injectors clean, but not as well as other Opti-Lube products. The XL fuel additive is primarily focused on lubricity and helps improve the fuel economy of your vehicle.^{[4]
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- How Often to Use: Treat your diesel fuel with Opti-Lube XL whenever you fill your tank.
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Stanadyne Diesel Fuel Additive The Stanadyne Diesel Fuel Additive is designed to be used in every tank. It improves engine performance and horsepower, protects your vehicle from the cold, has anti-gel properties to make sure your fuel flows smoothly, improves your fuel economy, and lubricates and cleans your engine. The Stanadyne Diesel Fuel Additive also protects from corrosion and helps remove water from your fuel.^{[5]
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- How Often to Use: Treat your diesel fuel with the Stanadyne Diesel Fuel Additive whenever you fill your tank.
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Power Service Diesel Fuel Additive The Power Service Diesel Fuel Additive helps minimize engine lag, stops cold starts, and improves engine efficiency and power. This fuel additive also keeps your engine lubricated, which helps reduce the risk of engine problems in the future. It’s a great all-around fuel additive that helps stave off wear and tear.^{[6]
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- How Often to Use: Treat your diesel fuel with the Power Service Diesel Fuel Additive whenever you fill up your tank.

Section 2 of 5:

Do diesel fuel additives really work?

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Fuel additives are useful for diesel fuel, as it ages and deteriorates a lot faster than gasoline fuel. Adding fuel additives to your diesel fuel can prevent mold and bacteria from growing, lubricate your engine, or tackle corrosion, depending on the type of additive you get and how often you use it.^{[7]
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Section 3 of 5:

Can you use too much diesel fuel additive?

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Yes, in fact, using too much diesel fuel can lead to engine damage. Adding too much diesel fuel additive to your engine can lead to a host of problems, including clogged filters and decreased engine performance. Too much diesel fuel can cause your engine to lose efficiency, slip more, and lead to other issues in the future. Don’t over treat if you’re losing lubrication, and always follow the frequency instructions that come with the specific additive you're using.^{[8]
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- Consult a mechanic if you’re still dealing with engine issues after using a diesel fuel additive.

Section 4 of 5:

How to Rejuvenate Old Diesel Fuel

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Get a 50-gallon drum and pour 50 gallons of old diesel fuel into it to drain the tank. Check the treat rate on your fuel additive to see how much to add (for example, a 1 to 500 treat rate would require 1 gallon of additive for 500 gallons of fuel) and add it directly to the fuel.^{[9]
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Section 5 of 5:

What happens when diesel fuel gets old?

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The gum and sediment form when fuel and oxygen react together as the diesel ages. This sediment can block your filters, leading to engine stalling in some cases. They don’t burn off well, either, which often creates carbon deposits on the fuel injectors. Old diesel fuel may also contain mold or bacteria, which can clog the filters and damage your engine.^{[11]
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