How to Prevent Diesel Fuel Gelling in Winter

Diesel fuel can gel in cold weather when wax naturally found in the fuel begins to crystallize and restrict flow. This most often shows up as filter plugging, hard starts, loss of power, or a no-start condition.

Cloud Point, CFPP, and Pour Point

Cloud point is the temperature where wax crystals first become visible in the fuel. CFPP, or cold filter plugging point, relates to when fuel may start plugging a filter. Pour point is the temperature where fuel no longer flows well.

When to Add Anti-Gel

Anti-gel products should be added before the fuel reaches its cloud point or begins to gel. Add the product before or during fueling when possible so it can mix thoroughly.

XPD All-Season vs Winter

XPD All-Season provides cold-weather support as part of an all-around additive. Winter is the better choice when severe cold-weather anti-gel protection is the main concern.

What If the Fuel Is Already Gelled?

Preventative anti-gel products work best before fuel gels. If the fuel is already gelled, use an emergency product such as Gel Melt and follow the label directions.

Need help choosing? Start with Opti-Lube diesel fuel additives or review our FAQ for dosing, storage, and compatibility questions.

What’s the Difference Between Opti-Lube Diesel Fuel Additives?

One of the most common questions we get is: what is the difference between your diesel fuel additives? The short answer is that each product is designed for a different need.

Quick Product Guide

XPD All-Season

XPD All-Season is our most popular diesel fuel additive because it covers the widest range of needs in one product, including lubricity, cleaning, water separation, corrosion protection, stability, cetane improvement, and cold-weather support.

XL Extreme Lubricant

XL Extreme Lubricant is the best choice when maximum lubricity is the main goal and anti-gel protection is not needed.

Summer+ and Boost!

Summer+ is a warm-weather formula with lubricity, cetane, detergency, and performance benefits. Boost! is the best choice when the main goal is maximum cetane improvement.

Winter, Single Clean, and Gel Melt

Winter is for stronger preventative cold-weather anti-gel protection. Single Clean is for stronger one-tank cleaning. Gel Melt is for emergency use when diesel fuel is already gelled.

Need help choosing? Start with Opti-Lube diesel fuel additives or review our FAQ for dosing, storage, and compatibility questions.