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In case you have been living under a rock, you likely know that the team at Hot Shot’s Secret creates diesel additive formulas that increase the performance and life expectancy of engines. In doing so, they’re working to change the prevailing opinion of many diesel owners out there about Diesel additives and oils. Yours truly has been on the wary side when it comes to diesel additives. But, now that I have tested many of these products, it’s clear that Hot Shot’s Secret is more than the ordinary additive manufacturer – they really want to help.
Case in point, we have been testing their FR3 friction reducer, and EDT (Everyday Diesel Treatment) for more than a month now in one of our DieselArmy.com projects. The truck is a 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 equipped with a 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel. The job of this truck is to tow our trailer and race truck to events.
FR3 Friction Reducer
One of the major concerns within any engine is friction, which produces excess heat. As internal parts move, the heat and friction created slow the rotating assembly, resulting in a loss of horsepower and torque output. So, what if we had a diesel additive that would virtually erase this problem in all engines? FR3 does just that.
Per the recommendations, adding one treatment of FR3 to the oil per oil change will help the engine run cooler and have increased power and performance. With a specially formulated additive such as this, the engine should run smoother and free up some of that much-needed performance.
By using FR3, we’re told we could potentially see up to a five-percent increase in fuel economy. With better fuel economy comes other benefits, including reduced operating oil temperatures, improved oil stability, reduced lifter and valve noise, and reduced engine wear.
EDT- Everyday Diesel Treatment
Like the oil, the fuel and fuel system needs maintenance. Neglecting the fuel system and not keeping it clean and efficient can result in power loss. The Everyday Diesel Treatment is a one-stop shop for getting the most out of the fill-ups at the fueling station. One treatment of the EDT will potentially free up power and performance, and also increase fuel economy.
EDT is recommended for all diesel engines because it is an ashless concentrate and has no negative effects on engine components. It also meets the regulations of low-sulfur-content requirements. EDT is meant to be an every-fill-up treatment. As you approach the fueling station, know that an ounce of EDT put into the tank will treat up to 25 gallons.
When you’re dosing your fuel system with this diesel additive, you’re going to want to know how much additive treats how much fuel. For a premium dose, one ounce will treat 25 gallons of diesel fuel. An entire 16-ounce bottle will therefore treat 400 gallons of fuel. For a performance-based application, you’re going to want to use a two-ounce dose.
EDT is also a Cetane improver consisting of special nitrates. These nitrates are pro-oxidants and will speed up the oxidative process of fuels during combustion, giving more power and improved mileage. Treating your fuel with this additive will also mitigate build-up, sludge, and corrosion.
The reason for better performance with EDT is that Cetane improvement in the fuel gives a smoother, less erratic pressure buildup. This happens in the combustion chamber during the ignition delay period and occurs between injection and ignition.
Power and fuel economy are increased as fuel burns more evenly and cleanly. When the ignition is improved, emissions are reduced and noise levels are lowered. Controlling the pressure build-up allows a complete burning of the refractive molecules in the fuel. An incomplete burn steals power and produces deposits and wear.
Post Diesel Additive Testing
After pouring the Everyday Diesel Treatment diesel additive into the truck, I soon noticed there was a slight dampening of the fuel system’s noise. I could notice that the fuel components weren’t making nearly the noise or clatter that they were before. On a lot of diesel engines, you can hear injectors ticking, but with Everyday Diesel Treatment, the overall sound was substantially lowered, which made for a more pleasant driving experience.
I also noticed that my mileage on the overhead was reading higher than normal. Understanding that it wouldn’t be dead-on, I anticipated testing for better mileage with this product. After multiple tanks of fuel, I got an average of miles per tank with, as well as without using the EDT. With EDT, I averaged a 1.3 miles-per-gallon increase over no diesel additive.
As for the FR3, this was poured into the oil fill while the engine was running. The results were unbelievable. Immediately after pouring the FR3 diesel additive into the engine, I could already hear the difference. The formula worked so fast that it nearly eliminated engine noise. I honestly thought something might be wrong with the truck because it had gotten so quiet.
Since this is a once-per-oil change treatment, I’ve only had to use the product this one time, but I can assure you that it will be used from here on out. The engine noticeably runs smoother, quieter, and gets better fuel mileage after checking during the course of three to four tanks of fuel. I averaged a 2.2 miles per gallon increase while using the FR3 and EDT, and can tell that the truck makes more power than before.
With this combination of products after a month of testing, I’m pleased to announce that they are nothing short of a great addition to my routine. The truck has picked up better drivability, smoother power, and an additional 3.5 miles per gallon. I would recommend these diesel additive products to anyone considering the positive effects that they have brought.
For more information about all of Hot Shot’s Secret products, check out their website.
