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The diesel world is constantly developing new products that improve the performance of our diesel-powered machines. Because the fuel systems in our diesel trucks are delicate, meaning any debris can cause severe damage, it is important to use a good diesel fuel additive. We have tested many fuel additives, but STA-BIL‘s All-Season Diesel Additive is up next.
Before we can better explain what the product delivered when the testing was complete, you need a better understanding of what the truck was capable of beforehand. Knowing that fuel quality is constantly changing, we understand the results may be just a tad different, but this should still give you a good idea of what we’re looking at.
Our test truck uses a custom-tuned compound-turbocharged, 6.7-liter Cummins and typically earns 10.8 mpg on tune Five on EFILive. Because of a heavy foot, it isn’t the best, but it is honest work. So, give or take .2-.5 mpg, we’ll say 10.5 mpg. Since we’ve been testing different fuel additives, the truck went through a four or five fuel tank cleanse before we started another test, ensuring an additive-free system.
STA-BIL’s Diesel Fuel Additive Promise
STA-BIL’s All-Season Diesel Fuel Additive says it is engineered for year-round use. This complete diesel additive cleans and lubricates the fuel injectors and high-pressure pump, boosts cetane, demulsifies water, and acts as an anti-gel down to minus-40 degrees. Per the label, it is effective in all diesel fuels including biodiesel and it is also B20 compliant.
It is packaged in an easy pour, non-slip, 20- and 32-ounce bottle that treats up to 150/250 gallons of fuel.
- Diesel fuel additive helps boost Cetane
- Cleans and lubricates the fuel system
- Removes water and prevents corrosion
- Diesel fuel additive is effective in all diesel and biodiesel fuels
- Lowers cold filter plugging point by as much as 36 degrees
- One bottle of Sta-Bil diesel treatment can be used to treat up to 250 gallons.
- Made in the USA
- Satisfaction guaranteed
- Advanced year-round formula for all your additive needs
“As everyone in this industry knows, it is hard to cram a ton of chemistry into one bottle while still being good at everything. That’s why when products get reviewed, it’s usually so-and-so brand is better at this claim, but this other brand is better at doing this other claim,” said Bob Galuska, STA-BIL Brand Manager. “When we formulated STA-BIL All-Season diesel fuel additive, we wanted to be sure it was a top performer of all the claims on the bottle.”
Usage Directions
- Pour contents of the bottle into the tank before filling up to aid in mixing with the fuel.
- Overtreatment, use of an entire bottle, or more frequent use is safe and will not harm the engine.
- Promptly clean up spills from vehicle finish. Do not use in gasoline engines.
With our baseline numbers gathered, it was time to start testing. We headed to the pump for the first time and, unfortunately, it cost a cool hard Benjamin. Because we’re after accurate results, the truck was driven like normal. We never noticed a difference in performance. With a truck that makes quite a bit of power, it is hard to tell a small change. So, we left it to the calculator.
After five tanks of fuel went through this truck, and the correct amount of additive was used, the results were in. The overhead on the truck read 11.4 mpg. Understanding that the dash is never accurate, (at least in this truck) we couldn’t trust that. So, we averaged all of the miles in each tank. All of the gallons used in these few months, and we’ve come out with a hand-calculated 11.01 mpg.
That is an increase of .6 mpg. This diesel fuel additive did give us more mileage than without the benefit of it in the fuel tank. It kept its promise. We noticed that the easy-to-pour bottle was very convenient. For years, some additives came in packaging that was impossible to use. Thankfully, these companies are starting to realize that we need something better. Thank you!
Since we’re in the dead of winter, it is nice to know that we’re using a product that offers fuel cleaning and lubrication as well as an anti-gelling agent. We can’t stress enough how important it is to make sure your fuel is treated, because a gelled-up system is a bad day, not to mention an expensive one, for anyone. We approve this product and think that it is a good addition to your toolbox for your fill-ups.
“At STA-BIL, we try to put all our additives through rigorous testing because that’s what our entire brand has been built around, being ethical about our claims and giving our customers a top-tier additive they are spending their hard-earned money on,” Galuska said. “If we put an item through testing and it doesn’t meet a label claim, I am not allowed to just throw random things on the label. You will never see a STA-BIL product that has a claim that we cannot stand behind.”
For more information about STA-BIL’s All-Season Additive, be sure and check out their website here. For more product testing, industry news, and truck features, stay tuned here at Diesel Army. What additives do you use? Let us know in the comments below.
