The over the road economic reality is that diesel prices are hovering at less than comfortable levels, carbon credits for emissions are a growing possibility and your profit per mile is stagnant.In your desire to increase your black and decrease your red you are likely using, or thinking about using, a diesel fuel additive.You are no different than the driver in the cab next to you.The problem is that like television channels there are many additives on the market.Furthermore wanting to use your hard earned dollar wisely, you may take exception to the common additive claims to increase fuel efficiency, improve engine performance, reduce engine emissions and extend engine life.You are right to want not only answer to these questions but demand proof that the product claims are valid.So simply ask one basic question of your additive supplier: ask them “where is your data?”

Increase In Fuel Efficiency

The evaluation of fuel economy is highly inaccurate and affected by many external variables including driver behavior, season, weather conditions, variations in traffic conditions and vehicle load.Therefore, insist that these variables are acknowledged during the determination of fuel economy.We recommend that you utilize a written field tests to account for multiple variables.Such a form will assist you with capturing variables and calculating results.

Field tests are a fantastic over the road tool; however, laboratory testing provides almost 100% accurate data.We recommend comparing fuel economy by utilizing an “engine / dynamometer test” with the engine mounted on a test stand and coupled directly to a dynamometer.The South West Research Institute (SWRI), San Antonio, Texas, is recognized as the laboratory of choice in the performance of this test.We recommend that you ask your additive provider to show you’re their data from the SWRI or an engine / dynamometer test.

Reduction in engine Emissions

Particulate matter, hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide are the emissions components that should be targeted for reduction and measured in the EPA recognized grams per brake horsepower hour (g/BHP-hr) as opposed to parts per million (PPM).The recognized legitimate method of conducting such a test is the EPA designed transient emissions test cycle performed with an engine dynamometer.The SWRI is one of the laboratories of choice in the performance of this test.The only other industry wide acknowledged emissions testing protocol is the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Recommended Practices J215, 1177 and J177.With this is mind we all know that emissions and green house gasses are words we hear every day on the radio.The words usually translate into changes (such as ULSD fuel) and the changes may translate into future tax burdens in the form of carbon credits.

Extension of Engine Life

Measuring the extension of the life of an engine is not a task that is accomplished on one tank of fuel.That is why the data must cover at least two areas.The first is specific to engine damage caused by hydrocarbon buildup within engine components and the second is engine wear metal data provided in an analysis of engine oil.These both must be presented in a baseline versus conditioning with the fuel additive.

Insist that the additive supplier has a report from a reputable laboratory that discusses topics such as the percent of top ring groove fill due to carbon compared to baseline and post engine conditioning with the additive.Furthermore, insist that the engine wear metal data is specific to various metals presented in parts per billion over a determined period of time.This enable the efficacy of the additive to be evaluated based on the rate of increase or decrease in the metals in the engine oil.

Summary

We recommend that you only deal with an additive supplier that is passionate about helping you help yourself.Deal with a supplier that can present you with immediate data, real life results, and a product that is backed by a patent, warranty, and is EPA registered.Insist on an additive that is a catalyst as opposed to a solvent and will return your investment to you two, three or even four fold.We recommend that you ask your fuel additive supplier “where is your data?”Feel free to contact us at if you have any questions or comments: 740-236-1412, sales@patriotfsg.com, http://www.patriotfsg.com.