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Fuel additives

I have been using Optilube recently only because it was a gift.  In looking at the cost of it I am having a hard time justifying buying more of it.
On their website , and this seems to be the only outlet for it, the cost, exclusive of shipping per gallon is $51.33.  With a suggested add rate of 1/4 Oz per gallon of fuel this comes to $0.20 per gallon added cost.  In order to reclaim this cost I would have to have a mileage improvement of better than 40% to break even.  That would mean that my mileage would have to improve by 3 mpg. I don't think this is realistic.
Worth it ?  I don't know.  I have read all the testimonials and if they are to be believed then any cost would be justified.
What am I missing that would make this cost worth while ?
Gary B

Re: Fuel additives

Reply #1 –
Gary,

If you are using fuel that is within specs for your engine I do not see any advantage cost-wise of using it.  Your engine will outlast the coach.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Fuel additives

Reply #2 –
I calculate $.10 per gallon based on your information. Or just over a penny per mile. Or about $90 for a 7500 mile year.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Fuel additives

Reply #3 –
With a cost of .20 per gallon that adds about 5% to the cost of fuel. a MPG increase of .5 MPG will cover the cost. I have been using Opti Lube it adds about $15.00 to the cost of a fill up. So an increase of .2 MPG covers the cost. Why I use it I don't  really know. I get what I think is great Mpg , but it travel lite. Few spares-tools-a small car four down with aluminum tow bar-gray and black MT fresh only what I need-fuel tank between 3/4 and 1/4 full .Gam
joseph gambaro
1999 U295 36'

Re: Fuel additives

Reply #4 –
I calculated a cost of 80 cents an ounce based on 51.33 a gallon, at an add rate of 1/4 oz per gallon I get 20 cents a gallon added fuel cost. At an average MPG of 8.3 that adds 2 cents a mile if I figure right.  So a trip of 8500 miles such as we took this summer would add 170 bucks.
A gallon of Optilube will treat 256 gallon of fuel so maybe the cost is not as great as I thought.  I guess the initial 51.33 per gallon cost is what puts me off. I'll think on it further.
Gary B

Re: Fuel additives

Reply #5 –
Gary, there's 128 oz in a gallon. That's 40 cents an oz. So that's 10 cents per gallon.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Fuel additives

Reply #6 –
Dave's calculations are correct (I think).

Gary, if you are adding Optilube at 1/4 oz per gallon, you will treat 128 x 4 = 512 gallons of diesel (at $0.11/gallon).

I also use Optilube and pay about $57 per gallon including shipping. I add Optilube at the minimum recommended so treat over 500 gallons of diesel with one gallon of Optilube ($0.11 / gallon).


I use Optilube because it was the second highest rated fuel additive in a report by an independant laboratory and much more cost effective than the number one additive. I also use it because the lubricity of ULSD is very low compared to diesel from 20 years ago. The fuel manufacturers claim to add sufficient biodiesel (5%) to obtain adequate lubricity with ULSD, however, when studying this independant laboratory report, I became convinced that 5% biodiesel does not have adequate lubricity. Having more then 5% biodiesel provides more lubricity but also provides other unpleasant issues (leaking seals). Adding Optilube raises the lubricity of the diesel without other unpleasant issues (I believe).

 


 
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Fuel additives

Reply #7 –
                 I am not expert at anything to do with oil . Had tractor trailers in business for 27 years . Not a trucking company , but just to haul product to my place of business . Never added anything to oil . Don't know of A large trucking company that does . Go to A truck stop, ask any driver [of] a large trucking company about it most likly he won't know . Go to the service center of this company and ask management  about it [ not the shop guys ] and the answer will be " it is not cost effective " and if our oil isn't doing the job , we will switch oil brands .If you ask a independent driver , you'll get some of the same answers you see here . Some of the difference between a trucking company and us Foretravel owners is that our units stay parked for most of the time , and trucks had better run all the time since they are all about making money .              Brad Metzger   
Brad Metzger
2010 Phenix 45'

Re: Fuel additives

Reply #8 –
Y'all are right, 128 oz in a gallon, remember when I was in school they taught math different.  Sorry Guys.
Gary B :facepalm:

Fuel additives

Reply #9 –
I read, with some interest, the posts on biocides. Here in the frozen north with -30 temps last week is it a concern. I've always used Howse fuel additive in my light trucks but mostly as a lubricity additive since low sulfur fuels have less inherent lubrication than the good old kind.  Is this something I need to think about when we roll to the south to the warm country.
Kevin Baert
1996 U295 40'
 

Re: Fuel additives

Reply #10 –
Quote from: airflow guy –
I read, with some interest, the posts on biocides. Here in the frozen north with -30 temps last week is it a concern. I've always used Howse fuel additive in my light trucks but mostly as a lubricity additive since low sulfur fuels have less inherent lubrication than the good old kind.  Is this something I need to think about when we roll to the south to the warm country.
the study on additives here:  Lubricity Additive Study Results - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck
1994 U225
build #4514