duramax 3.0 fuel additive

[Echoboy]

I've driven a diesel vehicle fro 16 yrs. there's always been a fuel additive to help keep the clean and lubricated.
I have a 2021 suburban with 3.0 Duramax. Have 12,000 miles on it, 3rd oil change... I have asked several Cheve
service techs what fuel additive to use...every one of them has a different response , like they're not sure what I'm talking about. I really like this vehicle, it's great for every-day, trips, and pulling my cargo trailer. Can someone help
with my fuel additive concern....Larry

 

[StephenPT]

Directly from the 3.0L Duramax supplement manual -

"TOP TIER Detergent Diesel is highly recommended for use with
your vehicle. If your area does not have TOP TIER Detergent Diesel,
GM recommends the use of ACDelco Diesel Fuel Conditioner.
This will help maintain optimal engine performance. GM does not
recommend other aftermarket diesel additives.
If low-quality diesel is used for refueling, GM recommends adding ACDelco Fuel System Treatment
Plus-Diesel to help clean engine deposits.
This is available only at your GM dealer."

 

[Stbentoak]

In cold reality, modern diesels don't really need any additives at all. Just change the fuel filter at half the recommended rate and you will be fine. The only exceptions to this are, some Power service when its below 0F just for insurance, and just for the heck of it I dump a can of Seafoam in a full tank in mine twice a year for 7 bucks a can. Never had any issues or fuel related problems including my 17 year old RAM Cummins. Additives just drive up your cost per mile and are overkill for weekly consumption...

 

[Bill 1960]

I’ve been driving diesels a lot longer, and there were times when lubricating properties of the newer (at that time) fuels didn’t meet the needs of older equipment.

This is not that time, and modern engine components were designed for these more highly refined fuels.

Additives only empty your wallet.

 

[Seamus]

Everyday Diesel Treatment (EDT) | Top Diesel Fuel Additive

Boost diesel MPG & performance! Hot Shot's Everyday Diesel Treatment cleans injectors, prevents gelling, & protects your fuel system. Buy now!

www.hotshotsecret.com

Todays low sulfur fuel and not being able to find "TOP Tier" fuel station most of the time is my reasoning. I have used this for years on three different vehicles and never had an injector or motor issue. When I tow, I put in 2 ounces instead of the 1 as it ups the cetane rating.

 

[Brand0n]

Temperatures are dropping below zero this weekend - are most 3.0 owners using additives?

 

[Jellyfrosh]

I've been using ACDelco Cold Flow additive or ACDelco Diesel Fuel Conditioner when I can find it, I've only found one dealer in a ~200 mile radius that sells it. It's what the owners manual calls for.

 

[Stbentoak]

I'd definitely put in some Power Service this weekend. Can't hurt anything. Also plug it in if it sits outside and you plan on using it. If you aren't, then plug it in about 6 hrs before you go somewhere. In all reality this cold will probably hardly faze it, really....These vehicles are more robust than you think...

 

[Brand0n]

Thanks all, I picked up some “hotshot diesel winter anti gel” for todays fill up to be safe.

 

[Larsonxjs]

Good info here. We are going to get close to 10°F. Do I need anti-gel? It more than likely will be parked outside.

 

[steiny93]

I'm in Fargo ND with multiple trips north, we see lots of -20F and -30F (ambient not wind chill).
I use zero additives in any of our diesels (ecodiesel, cummins ISM, cummins 6.7, baby dmax). Haven't had a gelling issue since the 90's.

In the winter, buy all your fuel from the largest truck stop you can.

 

[Jellyfrosh]

I'm in Fargo ND with multiple trips north, we see lots of -20F and -30F (ambient not wind chill).
I use zero additives in any of our diesels (ecodiesel, cummins ISM, cummins 6.7, baby dmax). Haven't had a gelling issue since the 90's.

In the winter, buy all your fuel from the largest truck stop you can.

I wouldn't run additives just for gelling. The LM2 is a 36k psi injection system, any increase in lubricity you can get you should go with. The manual specifically calls for it.

 

[steiny93]

I wouldn't run additives just for gelling. The LM2 is a 36k psi injection system, any increase in lubricity you can get you should go with. The manual specifically calls for it.

Where does the manual call for it?
In the 2021 manual the following are the only sections I could find referring to additives. Which say, use a specific quality of fuel; if you don't have that use the GM additive. Which is different then use additives.

From the manual: https://my.gm.ca/gmc/en/content/dam...gmc-yukon-xl-denali-owners-manual-english.pdf

Fuel Additives
TOP TIER Detergent Diesel is highly recommended for use with your vehicle. If your area does not have TOP TIER Detergent Diesel, GM recommends the use of ACDelco Diesel Fuel Conditioner. This will help maintain optimal engine performance. GM does not recommend other aftermarket diesel additives. If low-quality diesel is used for refueling, GM recommends adding ACDelco Fuel System Treatment Plus-Diesel to help clean engine deposits. This is available at your GM dealer


Use of fuel that does not comply with the required technical standards can lead to engine power loss, increased wear, or engine damage and may void your warranty. Some improper fuels are:
. Diesel fuel with the addition of gasoline.
. Diesel fuel mixed with engine oil or automatic transmission fluid.
. Triglyceride fuels, such as raw vegetable oil or animal fat, in any form, including with blends of diesel or biodiesel.
. Marine diesel fuel and fuel oils.
. Diesel-water emulsions, such as Aquazole.
. Aftermarket diesel fuel additives, which contain alcohols, organo-m

 

[Jellyfrosh]

Where does the manual call for it?
In the 2021 manual the following are the only sections I could find referring to additives. Which say, use a specific quality of fuel; if you don't have that use the GM additive. Which is different then use additives.

From the manual: https://my.gm.ca/gmc/en/content/dam...gmc-yukon-xl-denali-owners-manual-english.pdf

Fuel Additives
TOP TIER Detergent Diesel is highly recommended for use with your vehicle. If your area does not have TOP TIER Detergent Diesel, GM recommends the use of ACDelco Diesel Fuel Conditioner. This will help maintain optimal engine performance. GM does not recommend other aftermarket diesel additives. If low-quality diesel is used for refueling, GM recommends adding ACDelco Fuel System Treatment Plus-Diesel to help clean engine deposits. This is available at your GM dealer


Use of fuel that does not comply with the required technical standards can lead to engine power loss, increased wear, or engine damage and may void your warranty. Some improper fuels are:
. Diesel fuel with the addition of gasoline.
. Diesel fuel mixed with engine oil or automatic transmission fluid.
. Triglyceride fuels, such as raw vegetable oil or animal fat, in any form, including with blends of diesel or biodiesel.
. Marine diesel fuel and fuel oils.
. Diesel-water emulsions, such as Aquazole.
. Aftermarket diesel fuel additives, which contain alcohols, organo-m

Yeah that's the exact part I was referencing.

I use the GM additive.

 

[DmaxDenaliXL]

Where can you find Top Tier diesel? I went to this website and it shows zero stations within 500 miles that sell it. So therefore it must be safe to assume no one is using it. Likely 5% or fewer are also using additives, because well...humans.

TOP TIER™ Station Finder - TOP TIER™ Station Finder

TOP TIER™ Station Finder. TOP TIER™ is recognized as a high-quality fuel performance standard developed by leading automotive and heavy-duty equipment manufacturers.

stationfinder.toptiergas.com

 

[steiny93]

Where can you find Top Tier diesel? I went to this website and it shows zero stations within 500 miles that sell it. So therefore it must be safe to assume no one is using it. Likely 5% or fewer are also using additives, because well...humans.

TOP TIER™ Station Finder - TOP TIER™ Station Finder

TOP TIER™ Station Finder. TOP TIER™ is recognized as a high-quality fuel performance standard developed by leading automotive and heavy-duty equipment manufacturers.

stationfinder.toptiergas.com

In my area it's alot of them (Exxon, Shell, Argo, Costco, etc). My guess is that it's a marketing deal, would be interesting to see if the fuel is actually any different.

 

[DuraYuk]

In my area it's alot of them (Exxon, Shell, Argo, Costco, etc). My guess is that it's a marketing deal, would be interesting to see if the fuel is actually any different.

I think your spot on. Similar to top tier gasoline that some gas stations advertise..

 

[StephenPT]

Top Tier is a spec. A gas/diesel station can sell fuel that meets the spec, but may or may not advertise it as meeting that spec. Similar to DEXOS oil. Most oil manufacturers have oil that meets the DEXOS spec and have paid GM the licensing fee to put DEXOS on the bottles.

Top Tier Diesel must meet two ASTM specs and be filtered down to 10 micron for automotive size nozzles.

How to Become Licensed

toptiergas.com

 

[DmaxDenaliXL]

In my area it's alot of them (Exxon, Shell, Argo, Costco, etc). My guess is that it's a marketing deal, would be interesting to see if the fuel is actually any different.

Do they also show up on that website or are you seeing it advertised at the pump as top tier. What I found was that almost everywhere as top tier gas, but hardly any diesel.
TLDR: How do you find out that you're pumping top tier diesel?

 

[steiny93]

I've never noticed it at the pump, but I haven't looked either (spec says they need to display at the pump)

I just read through the Top Tier spec https://www.toptiergas.com/diesel-licensed-brands/; the only spec's it calls out are: ASTM D975 or ASTM D7467 which are the standard specs for diesel types and biodiesel amounts, water monitoring, 10 micron filtering.


Reading the above,
Someone explain to me how an additive would address any Top Tier spec other then water intrusion? Or am I missing something? IE, I'm not seeing a spec around lubricity or cetane for example.