Its up to you but its really not necessary to become a " mix master" with fuel additives. I have been using Diesel Kleen since I was about 15. White bottle in winter and grey in summer. Never mixed with the exception of slight if any was left over in the tank when we transitioned seasons.

The fuel treatments are designed to be used by themselves but many mix with no bad results. There just hasn't been any measurable beneficial results posted by anyone mixing them compared to just running them ya know?

 

I'd recommend using straight Summer+ during the warm months and XPD during the cold ones. Mixing seems like too much of a hassle for such a marginal improvement in results.

Having said this, IMO half the value of using additives is the peace-of-mind knowing you've done the best you can to reduce the chances of your turbo grenading. So if mixing additives helps you sleep better than using a single additive, then get to mixing!

 

Mixing them definitely falls into the "over thinking it" category ... slow day at work! lol It's just that looking at the chart it seems like you can get a lot closer to XPD lubricity levels much cheaper by mixing these two and without the anti-gel that's not needed here for 10 months out of the year, but as you guys have said it's probably wholly unnecessary.

 

Mixing them definitely falls into the "over thinking it" category ... slow day at work! lol It's just that looking at the chart it seems like you can get a lot closer to XPD lubricity levels much cheaper by mixing these two and without the anti-gel that's not needed here for 10 months out of the year, but as you guys have said it's probably wholly unnecessary.

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Im sure you know this but I would not believe anything that comes from the makers themselves unless it comes from a third-party tester with no monetary gain. Plus by mixing them you are only hoping it helps. WITHOUT testing mixing may not do anything, may actually reduce the effectiveness or one or the other or both etc. Again its your wallet but I never had time to pre mix two additives let alone one at the pump most times lol.... I filled up a gatorade bottle and measures out 1, 2, and 3 tanks and pour till it hits the line and the gatorade bottle sits in the tool box otherwise lol.

Too be fair I do not belive opti-lube is bad but for me its not practical. Diesel Kleen is endorsed by cummins, been using it for years and its available everywhere so it was just easier to use on the go haha. It may not be as good but never caused issues with any of our 6.7ls either too.

 

I contacted Opti-Lube a number of years ago (before they came out with that handy chart) and a few things to note from the conversation are:

1. While Boost! adds quite a bit of cetane it does this by lowering the amount of lubricity additive in the chemical package.

2. The main reason for the high treatment rate of the XPD product is to get the required amount of the anti-gel chemical into the fuel.

3. He mentioned that quite a few of their customers mix the Opti-Lube products to obtain the benefits desired.

 

Well, I have a chemistry degree and I say mix away!

I actually premeasure a bottle for a half tank of fuel and use a mixture of Summer + and better diesel Fuel Born Catalyst in the warm months and swap out to XPD/ FBC in the winter.

Fill the tank when half full and use the mix every fill up.

Opti-lube keeps my HPFP happy and the FBC keeps my DPF clean.

 

Well, I have a chemistry degree and I say mix away!

I actually premeasure a bottle for a half tank of fuel and use a mixture of Summer + and better diesel Fuel Born Catalyst in the warm months and swap out to XPD/ FBC in the winter.

Fill the tank when half full and use the mix every fill up.

Opti-lube keeps my HPFP happy and the FBC keeps my DPF clean.

Not to hijack the thread, but did you notice a significant difference in your regen interval when using the FBC? I like the idea of using an additive that improves the regen interval (I'm getting about 400 miles between regens), but I've never heard of one that actually worked as advertised.

 

I mix additives. Been doing so for quite a few miles now that I track in the Fuelly app. While we all have our own thoughts on additives I've concluded what works for me from trial and error. As long as you stick to additives that are alcohol free why not try other brands/flavors?? Cause you could be missing that one that works best for you.
If you saw me mixing my additives at the pump you'd be wondering what the hell I just poured into the tank. LMAO

 

Out of curiosity, which ones do you mix? I've never seen that Fuelly app but I like the looks of it so I'm going to start using it ... today is pick up the truck day!!!

 

Like @HeavyAssault, I use a mixture of 2 additives --- Ford's PM22 and Stanadyne Lubricity. Except, I mix in them in my laboratory (aka man cave) and then pour the mixture into one of those measuring bottles that you squeeze and it dispenses an ounce at a time (think Sta-bil 32oz container). An ounce covers 3ish gallons of diesel fuel. Has worked for me for years....so I keep concocting and using.

 

@jd4010 Do you have a source for those bottles??

 

I get my bottles here: U.S. Plastic Corp. | Plastic Bottles, Tubing & Fittings, Tanks, Buckets, Pipe, Sheet & Labware

 

I like Howe's products since it's easily found at Wal Mart. Seems as WalMart may have dropped the Injector Cleaner version so I may be mixing in something else in the future.

 

Looking at opti-lube specs it appears to me unless you are simply trying to save money the XPD every time all the time. I ordered a gallon with pump and 2 8oz bottles. Will see if it improves my setup.

 

Based on what the Opti-Lube representative told me about the XPD dosage you could half the dose in the summer months since you don't need the extra anti-gel.

 

At this point in all my miles of driving it's about adding protection, MPG gains are a "feel good" aftereffect. Spend what you want, use what you want. When you try different products you see what the cost is worth.

 

@jd4010 I thought about the bottles you are using before. Just never went thru enough Sta-bil...LOL

I found a Biodiesel site that had proper "fuel rated" PTFE (??) bottles to use. They work for me.

I even just bought a new container/tool box that fits inside the cab behind the driver's seat to carry the bottles. That way on longer trips I have my mixed bottles ready to go plus the Howe's supply bottles. So much nicer to use in and out the cab, plus it's got a lid seal. If I need to load more people in the cab I can just grab the tool box and clip into the bed. Super happy with them. I bought a second tool box that will fit the oil filter, fuel filters, small tools, etc etc that I use when doing oil changes and fuel filter changes.

 

HDPE bottles.

PTFE (Teflon) is way overkill and expensive.

 

Yea...meant HDPE. Thanks for reminding me.

 

lol you guys and your HDPE bottles. Im still rocking a Gatorade bottle that I drew 4 lines on . So far its held up to two stroke oil and diesel kleen very well and the cap is much better at sealing out fumes compared to the older style grey/white bottles.

I only use a little two stroke oil in a super old John Deere. It just quiets the idle down during longer summer use. It probably doesn't do much but I always have some lying around and makes me tummy feel all warm and fuzzy.

 

I understand cheap, I get heated if I buy fuel and see it 2 cent cheaper down the road.

 

Cause when your operating costs are $.14 a mile you will drive 10 miles to save $.10 per gallon. It's science.