Diesel Fuel Winterization Tips From FPPF®

By Steve Pollock

BUFFALO, NY… An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to diesel fuel and cold weather. Or maybe we should say an ounce of prevention will save you a lot of aggravation and money when the weather gets cold! Here are some tips from Peter Guerra from FPPF ® to prepare your truck for winter:

First, you must become proactive rather than reactive toward diesel fuel problems. Today’s diesel and gasoline are much more prone to containing water. Peter recommends that you start now by using a double dose of FPPF’s signature product Fuel Power for at least two fill-ups to disperse any existing water in the fuel system. Once this is done, continue to treat each tank of fuel with FPPF’s Total Power or Polar Power. These products will continue to eliminate water in the fuel while also preventing fuel gelling. Polar Power is specifically formulated for winter use with a water dispersant, anti-gel and a lubricity additive. Total Power is the ultimate winter treatment that combines the water eliminating benefits of Fuel Power, the anti-gelling properties of Polar Power, the cetane boost of Cetane 8+ with an injector cleaner and lubricity additive. If you use either Total Power or Polar Power throughout the winter season you will not have a problem with fuel gelling or fuel line freeze ups. As an insurance policy, however, it may be smart to carry a bottle of FPPF Melt Down with you. Chances are slim that you will need it but you may come to someone else’s rescue. Melt Down will melt gelled fuel in about 20 minutes but if you treat your fuel at fill up with Total Power or Polar Power you can prevent the gellup or freeze up. (Remember - Be Proactive.)

Another important system to treat is your air brakes. Use FPPF’s ABC Air Brake Conditioner, which is non-corrosive to air brake systems. ABC Air Brake Conditioner will disperse water, preventing freezing while coating and lubricating the air brake system.

Don’t trust “premium fuel” from the truckstop alone. With “premium fuel” there are many different types, and the one you are getting may not be what you need. For one, the fuel may not contain an anti-gelling agent and if it does, it may be an inadequate amount for very low temperatures.

Peter also recommends that drivers treat their fuel twice a year (spring and fall) with FPPF’s Killem Biocide to keep bacterial growth in the fuel tank under control. A good product for year round use is Liquid Muscle, which prevents low sulfur fuel problems, clean injectors and intake valves, demulsifies water and contains lubricity improvers. Liquid Muscle will provide added power and boost fuel economy, while reducing emissions and smoke. All FPPF products contain an injector cleaner and are formulated to work in all the latest engine technologies. They will not harm or corrode any engine parts.

The FPPF chemical company of Buffalo, New York first introduced their signature product “Fuel Power” in the mid 1970s. Fuel Power has been so successful that the formula hasn’t changed much over the years. It does contain a lubricity agent to counteract the lack of lubricity in ultra low sulphur diesel fuel. FPPF makes a complete line of diesel additives for every application: diesel trucks, cars, construction, home heating, marine agriculture and more. Products are available in quart size to 55-gallon drums for bulk fuel treatment. FPPF also has a complete line of products specifically designed to treat biodiesel, gasoline and home heating oil. The company also offers commercial grade truck wash and polishes, cooling system treatment, an excellent glass cleaner, battery cleaner and premium grease. FPPF products are available at truckstops and travel plazas nationwide.

To learn more about FPPF products, visit www.fppf.com. If you have a question, call 800-735-3773. “For every fuel problem, FPPF ® has a solution.”

Here’s what FPPF ® customers have to say:

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for introducing us to the FPPF line of products. As an industrial engine dealer, the majority of our customers are in either the construction or equipment rental business. The entire industry is presently using the #2 off road fuel, and with our new generation engines, they are very sensitive to this particular fuel. We have suggested to our customers to use the #l diesel fuel, but they are not eager to increase their fuel costs, so we have introduced them to the FPPF fuel additive which makes the engine cleaner burning, less carbon build up, completely disperses water, and enhances the performance of the fuel injection system.

We have found this product to be of great help in our day-to-day operations and continue to recommend it to all our customers.”

Susan HellWinke, Central Diesel Service

"My husband and I own a small trucking company, and would like to inquire about your FPPF Water Dispersant Treatment. We do not allow our drivers to put fuel additives or power additives in our trucks. The only product we allow our drivers to use is your FPPF Water Dispersant Treatment.

We really like the results our trucks get from the FPPF Water Dispersant Treatment. We know that we can rely on it to keep trucks from "freezing up" in the winter time, and getting water in our engines in the summer time.”

Barbara J. Lewis, Vice President of Operations, Lewis Trucking Company

"I have been a steady user of Fuel Power and Polar Power (below 20º F) for approximately eighteen months. Admittedly, I must confess that doubts were raised during this time whether any benefits were realized from your products. But my 400 Cummins kept running rather smooth; right past the 200,000 mile recommended injector replacement.

To make a long story short, I went down for rod and main bearings, figuring this was a good time to replace the injectors. The injectors were routinely pulled, but reinstalled after normal cleaning and calibrating because they still met Cummins specs. This was at 331,362 miles. A savings of roughly $1000 resulted from our combined efforts. A strict maintenance program, burning good fuel, and FPPF sure seems to have worked in my case."

John Mordus

"I am pleased to provide to you with our fleet experiences using FPPF Fuel Power in our fuel.

We operate about 450 power vehicles and have been using Fuel Power to prevent water condensation and moisture related problems for the past year. Water in our fuel tanks, especially in the winter, can turn to ice and ultimately plug fuel filters and cause complete vehicle shutdown. Since using Fuel Power in all our fuel, we have eliminated this problem, and especially during the harsh winter have not experienced any water/ice related problems."

Rick Innes, Vice President, Kris Way Truck Leasing Inc.

"FPPF Total power in every tank full Works great. I have tried every soap imaginable to wash our trucks. Your FPPF truck wash cleans the road grime better than anything out there. Your price is better than the others and I hope to keep doing business with your company."

Karl Bardroff, Bardroff Inc.