To add or not to add
 

Hi Guys,
Newbie to the DIESEL world and I have a couple of ?'s. Should I put additives in my fuel when I’m filling up and if yes every time? Some guys say it helps clean injectors and helps fuel mileage. The manual that comes with the truck said NO. When to change the transmission spin-on filter? The book calls for it every 25k with the oil change but I saw a forum post that guys are changing them every 10k with their engine oil/filter. I currently have 14k+ on my 08 right now. My computer told me I had 30% on my fuel filter left. I’m heading to the mountains for hunting this weekend so I changed out the fuel filter. Maybe it’s me but the truck felt like it had more power than what it did. If that’s the case should I change it out quicker like 40% – 50% to reduce any harm?

Thanks, Wayne

It depends on what kind of additive you want to run and how much. I use additive every tank. One for lubricity and one for anti-gelling.

As for the transmission, I'd probably stick with 25k...that being said, I need to do mine :ouch:

What type of additive do you use for lube? I dont have a problem with the cold.

Don't run 2 cycle oil. Use Stanadyne Performance formula.

Yeah, Stanadyne performance or Lubricity formula are great.
There's nothing wrong with 2-stroke though...TCW3 ashless. It should work in any diesel. They use it in Europe on Benz CDI's and VW TDI's without issues.

Thats the question? ...to speak in Shakespeares word...

What you have done is called preventive maintenance.
You take care of your engine in advance. Basicly it is changing out items before you get trouble with them - what you did.
This kind of maintenance can be expensive, but it is better than to squezze the last bit of performance out of it, like the most of us do to save money.
Trust me when I say factory recomandations a very conservative. They tend to change items to make sure that your truck will run under every, even the worst, circumstances.

There is nothing wrong with changing out the fuel filter in advance. Maybe you skipped a couple of thousand usable miles. So what? Better than being lost in the hills.

If I see any parts I don't like- I change them too. At my job or at home. I'm responsible for equipment doing it's duty at my job or at home again. I don't want my girl sitting in a broken truck and waiting for help.
But there is no need to decrease the duty cycle of a fuel filter down to 50%. Same with the tranny filter. If you have the money and you want it for peace of mind you can do it if your hard on your tranny.
Otherwise its wasted money. Maybe decrease it by 5 k miles but don't cut it into half.

I also run additive every tank with 4 points of cetane, with a formula for winter too. Just a couple ounces every tank. I have the 08 DMAX and I change my filters at about 50% if not it is very noticable and starts messin up shifting with the PPE. If your truck is stock then it might not be as noticable like u said. As for the spin on Alli filters I do mine every second oil change. I buy mine from a Diesel for about 14 bux here , from GM there about 45:argh:....

I run AMSOIL diesel concentrate in every tank of fuel for mine. I have acutually seen a slight increase in MPG as well as quieter engine.

PM Heath on this site and I am sure he will get you hooked up with great additives and oils for your truck.

Can you explain the increase of mpg?
Quieter engine is simple to explain: just a higher cetane number and the engine runs smoother.

But mileage inrcease? I doubt that- there is no BTU adding... :pca1:

It's because of the better lubrication properties of the additive. It supposedly helps fuel economy by reducing friction in the fuel system pump/injectors. The gain is minimal though, normally anywhere from 0-3% increase.

Personally I see 0 gain in my own truck - because I probably drive 3% faster to offset it lol