Community Forums

Mr.Cleane · 08-08-2012, 10:51 AM

What is the best fuel additive for my 400 cummins to boost fuel mileage and lubricate?

BFlinn181 · 08-08-2012, 12:44 PM

No additive will boost mileage. If there was, it would be added and marketed by an oil company. Good, fresh fuel is all I use. I don't believe you will extend life of components in any significant way with additives, they will just empty your wallet.

FormerBoater · 08-08-2012, 01:02 PM

Opti-lube Summer Blend was rated near the top in an independent lubricity study:

Lubricity Additive Study Results - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck Forums

It is very inexpensive and I have not had any lift pump issues in my much older C8.3 Cummins.

DaveS
1998 American Eagle 40EVS

Dutch Star Don · 08-08-2012, 04:14 PM

Mr.Cleane......I'm almost afraid to respond here because of the upcoming firestorm. I rarely tell someone to do a search on a subject, but this one usually gets crazy. With that said.....I use teh same as "Forme Boater" (OptiLube Summer Blend) for the lubricity and I do see better mileage. It adds between .15 - .21 cents a gallon depending on how you mix it. I run a 1/3 of an ounce per gallon in normal driving and mix it at about 1/2 ounce per gallon when I'll be doing some hill climbing.

Smitty77 · 08-08-2012, 11:02 PM

Optilube and Amsoil Cetane in each tank. Higher mix of Cetane if in moutons.

Best of luck,
Smitty

bgsc · 08-09-2012, 06:09 AM

We use Howes fuel treatment I do not believe there is any product that is going to increase your mileage, Howes keeps the gel and gum out of the fuel that sometimes settles in the bottom of our fuel tanks

Chaffeekid · 08-09-2012, 06:52 AM

There is a phone number in your manuals for Cummins, call the tech support line and ask this question. They will tell you that you do not need nor does your engine need any type of additional fuel treatments.

I owned and drove my Cummins equipped Freightliner (18 wheeler) for 1.8 million miles and never put any additional treatments in my tanks. When it was very cold in Minnesota I did put some Howes in the tanks to prevent gelling but only a couple of times when the temps were way below 0.

Diesel costs enough, why add additional expense? Now the above is Just My Opinion, and it is worth exactly what you paid for it

Your 2005 is equipped to burn the oil without any additional additives required, my old 2001 270 hp runs fine with the juice squirted from the pumps and no additional expense of additives.

Again JMO, yours may vary, but that's the way I do it.

And "Welcome" to the forum, now if you really want to start a firestorm, ask about the age of your tires

Happy Trails
Jim

Triker56 · 08-09-2012, 07:31 AM

OptiLube Summer Blend instruction calls for 1 to 1500 (1 ounce per 10 gallons of fuel) Minimum treatment rate: 1 to 3000 (1 ounce per 20 gallons of fuel)
1 quart treats 375 - 750 gallons of diesel fuel

I use the 1 oz. to 20 gal. MPG increase not seen but non lost either.

Enhanced Lubricity for Reduced Fuel System Wear
Improved Fuel Economy
Increased Power
Reduced Deposits
Reduced Emissions
Prevents Rust & Corrosion
Cleans Injectors
Improved Storage Stability (More than doubles storage life of diesel fuel)
Improved Water Separation

Opti-Lube Diesel Fuel Improver | Grease | Oil Fortifier

TXiceman · 08-09-2012, 07:42 AM

The fuel additives are to increase fule life and provide better protection for the engine and injectors. I know of nothing that increases fuel mileage...

But there are people out there selling "magic" magnets that clamp on the fuel line to align the fuel molecules for better mileage, or one device that plugs into the lighter plug and it conditions the 12 VDC power to the computer so that it can think better.

And I have a beautiful lot in Phoenix with a view of the Pacific Ocean that I can sell cheap. It also over looks the Brooklyn Bridge on the east side.

Ken

dons2346 · 08-09-2012, 01:03 PM

I use a matched set of lithium crystals to power the flux generator. None of that snake oil for me.

Steve Ownby · 08-09-2012, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dons2346

I use a matched set of lithium crystals to power the flux generator. None of that snake oil for me.

It's a flux capacitor!!! And it needs Plutonium. Doc Brown can fix you up.

Barlow46 · 08-09-2012, 01:42 PM

Steve, I believe it connected directly to the old "Canuter" valve. Over use of this valve is caused by faulty friggate switch wiring. Eventually, the turbo will become tainted with halogen bulb fluid due to canuter valve blow-by. Is this what you read also?

InfinityJim · 08-09-2012, 01:48 PM

oh course if you call cummins they'll tell you to use nothing... there not in the business to sell treatment their in the business to sell you the parts that break & the labor to replace.....

Just my 2 cents.........

danes-on-tour · 08-09-2012, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diplomat Don

Mr.Cleane......I'm almost afraid to respond here because of the upcoming firestorm. I rarely tell someone to do a search on a subject, but this one usually gets crazy. With that said.....I use teh same as "Forme Boater" (OptiLube Summer Blend) for the lubricity and I do see better mileage. It adds between .15 - .21 cents a gallon depending on how you mix it. I run a 1/3 of an ounce per gallon in normal driving and mix it at about 1/2 ounce per gallon when I'll be doing some hill climbing.

Seriously ???

...and how much of a mpg improvement have you recorded?