Next I'll blab about good reasons to use additives besides cetane.
As diesel engines are used, they become less efficient over time. Fuel injector deposits interrupt spray patterns, causing poor fuel atomization, incomplete combustion, excessive emissions and smoke. The net savings on fuel expense can result in no additional cost to vehicle operation.
Cleanliness refers to the absence of water and particulate contamination. This characteristic is important because dirt and water can plug fuel filters in your engine and cause severe damage to your fuel injection system because of the close tolerances within fuel pumps and injectors. All diesel engine manufacturers equip their engines with fuel filters to protect the fuel delivery system. Some manufacturers also provide filters with drain valves and recommend periodic draining of any water that may accumulate from condensation and careless handling in storage or vehicle tanks. It is important to note that there are emulsifiers (water absorbing) and demulsifiers (water separating), emulsifiers are not recommended for modern high pressure injection systems.
Stability is the term used to describe a fuel's resistance to the formation of gums and insoluble oxidation products. Fuels with poor oxidation stability contain insoluble particles that can plug fuel filters. This may lead to decreased engine performance or engine stalling from fuel starvation.
Lubricity is the characteristic that ensures protection against fuel pump and injector wear. Since 2005 the use of lubricity additives has become common for most quality fuel distributors, however this is a bulk add/batch test type of evolution. There are rumors and legends in the industry of lazy/hungover/in a hurry employees doing a poor job of this or skipping it entirely. Injectors and fuel pumps are expensive, protect them.
Using a quality fuel additive will help to mitigate fuel inconsistencies, and maximize your fuel mileage potential.
TBN maximization:
With high rates of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in modern diesel engines, acids from combustion are of particular concern. AMSOIL Diesel Concentrate neutralizes acids during combustion. It helps reduce acid caused cylinder wear and helps extend engine oil TBN, maintaining engine oil quality longer for better protection. I don't know if other products do this or not, I have not seen manufacturers claim that they do besides Amsoil. If you are extending your oil drain cycles and/or running a bypass filtration unit, this is a biggie. For those of you with blocked EGRs, not so much.
