25,000 miles without using fuel additives?

[2022 Tradesman]

I decided to watch some videos today about diesel trucks and I was researching the banks air intake. As I'm researching on YouTube other videos appear in the search and one of the videos was mentioning fuel additives for diesel trucks. I believe one of the additives is called Hot shots. It's something I've never put any thought into and apparently it's something that is required my people who build and own diesel trucks. There's so much confusion when it comes to diesel trucks. When I first bought the truck I couldn't sleep for 2 days because of the anxiety from learning about diesel engines. My buddy says diesels aren't meant for short distance driving, they like to be ran hot, long and hard. Well that's not me, I pretty much stay within the city limits most the time and don't often take my truck for long distance drives. I have heard about the idling down before turning the motor off to save the turbo from frying oil, depending upon the driving conditions of course, whether you're towing, hauling or just making an empty run to the grocery store. Seems like you learn something new every time you look into maintaining these diesel trucks. I almost filled the tank yesterday, I'm just a quarter shy of a full tank and these additives are meant to be added to a full tank, at least that's what I'm hearing from the video. I surely hope that I don't ruin this beauty because they're expensive trucks! Apparently owning a diesel truck is like marrying a high maintenance woman. Not like your typical run-of-the-mill gas babe. Apparently diesels trucks are a bit more complex than a gas powered vehicle. I got a 2023 tradesman, so far so good I'm always learning about the truck and what to do to maintain it. All I really do is just start it up and drive the damn thing! The dealership is charging me $80,000 for this $2,500 tradesman! So I better pay attention to the information I'm researching and slowly get into good habits so these trucks will last they're typical $300,000 miles or more. Being that I'm at $25,000 miles and done nothing besides put gas in the truck and drive it does anybody have any recommendations for maintenance? I get the oil changed frequently through the dealership and I have changed the fuel filters one time and they're due again. I never did change the cabin filter so I better get that changed. When it comes to idling down, I typically drive around town unloaded. I've heard that I don't need the idle down for long, maybe less than a minute. Sometimes I just pull up to my destination and turn the motor off without idling down.. Any veterans out there with good advice for a newbie like myself on how not to kill a diesel truck??
Any information is greatly appreciated.

 

[Zoe Saldana]

Try a paragraph additive.

Moby **** was a shorter read.

 

[06 Dodge]

Wowzers. IMHO stay away from U-tube, my self I don't like or think much of Hot Shot secret anything. As for OCI aka oil change interval, I would not run the oil more than 10K or 1 years unless I had UOA test (IMO its best to use Fleetguard/Cummins UOA test kits URL below) to see if you have fuel in the oil and also how well the oil you are using is holding up in your engine.

IMHO use quality diesel oil like Valvoline full synthetic, some like 5w40 Rotella-T 6 but it does not hold up well in an engine that had fuel contaminated oil, I know this based on UOA test in my engine... As for using the truck only in city driving, not towing IMO your asking for DPF problems, the DPF needs heat to do passive regens and some 2022's are have DPF & other problems with mostly city driving.

Unless your hauling max weight or towing long & heavy do not think you have to worry much about a cool down longer then 1-2 minute and may not even need one if you have 3-5 minutes of slow city driving before shutting it off. This is all MHO and YMMV. Oil test kits: https://www.genosgarage.com/product/fleetguard-oil-analysis-kit-cc2543/oil-filters

 

[2022 Tradesman]

Well you know how it is when you find out new information on your vehicle. You ask around for advice and you make your decisions on whatever the topic is. I just went on Amazon and ordered fuel filters air filters and the cabin air filter as well as the fuel additives which I knew nothing about until now concerning diesel motors. I'm going to do my best and try to live by the recommendations of proper maintenance and operation. Thanks for your information.

 

[turkeybird56]

Wowzers. IMHO stay away from U-tube, my self I don't like or think much of Hot Shot secret anything. As for OCI aka oil change interval, I would not run the oil more than 10K or 1 years unless I had UOA test (IMO its best to use Fleetguard/Cummins UOA test kits URL below) to see if you have fuel in the oil and also how well the oil you are using is holding up in your engine.

IMHO use quality diesel oil like Valvoline full synthetic, some like 5w40 Rotella-T 6 but it does not hold up well in an engine that had fuel contaminated oil, I know this based on UOA test in my engine... As for using the truck only in city driving, not towing IMO your asking for DPF problems, the DPF needs heat to do passive regens and some 2022's are have DPF & other problems with mostly city driving.

Unless your hauling max weight or towing long & heavy do not think you have to worry much about a cool down longer then 1-2 minute and may not even need one if you have 3-5 minutes of slow city driving before shutting it off. This is all MHO and YMMV. Oil test kits: https://www.genosgarage.com/product/fleetguard-oil-analysis-kit-cc2543/oil-filters

DITTO, but I would also take dat monster out on a highway at highway speeds for 30 min to an hour like every 2 weeks, help with regens and try to stave off DPF issues. The hint to use quality oils and filters is right on. Filters, just Cummins or Fleetguard.

ADDITIVES: I had an ED, and I always ran Diesel Kleen to improve Cetane Level. It comes in summer and winter variants. When I had the truck and it is sooooo hot here, figured additive not hurt, but not required. Try to use nothing over 10% bio diesel if at all possible.

Cooling Turbo: Lots of different thoughts. If U R in a hot climate, regardless if working hard or not, I WOULD always cool down the turbo with a 1-3 minute idle, and if towing, I would stretch it out further. But then I live in a warm climate where temp may get up to 110F for days in the summer. It not hurt to idle for a few minutes to cool it down. And that Turbo get hot in city driving too, don't mix the 2, them turbos get rather warm.

All above IMHO.

 

[2022 Tradesman]

Thank you for your information. I ended up purchasing the hot shot secret diesel additive and actually purchased a combo set. One is extreme and one is everyday. As far as the oil is concerned I don't change the oil, the dealership takes care of that for me. I found out they are using a synthetic oil for my truck. I don't know what brand of oil they use, but I assume it's suitable for the motor since they are a Dodge Ram, Jeep dealership. Today I was just looking into upgrading the air intake and along the way I'm picking up more information about things like the fuel additives. I haven't put anything in the truck yet so if you have any doubts or suggestions please let me know before I go dumping that stuff in my fuel tank. If I only knew then what I know now I might have purchased a different vehicle. One that's not so temperamental about idling and short drives and and all the concerns that come with the diesel motor. Previous to the tradesman I had the 1500 Classic Hemi and drove it like any other truck I've owned until I took it in to the dealership for it's scheduled oil change and swapped it out for the Ram 2500 Diesel. Bit more expensive, but they gave me a better percentage rate than the hemi. Winner winner chicken dinner. I've never been so concerned about a vehicle as I am about this Tradesman. Hey, at least I got the cheaper downgraded model. I've had it for 2 years now I guess it's time to trade it in for that new TRX model!
What's the math on the idling verses drive time? Am I in the zone, or destruction of this truck?

 

[Tulecreeper]

Thank you for your information. I ended up purchasing the hot shot secret diesel additive and actually purchased a combo set. One is extreme and one is everyday. As far as the oil is concerned I don't change the oil, the dealership takes care of that for me. I found out they are using a synthetic oil for my truck. I don't know what brand of oil they use, but I assume it's suitable for the motor since they are a Dodge Ram, Jeep dealership. Today I was just looking into upgrading the air intake and along the way I'm picking up more information about things like the fuel additives. I haven't put anything in the truck yet so if you have any doubts or suggestions please let me know before I go dumping that stuff in my fuel tank. If I only knew then what I know now I might have purchased a different vehicle. One that's not so temperamental about idling and short drives and and all the concerns that come with the diesel motor. Previous to the tradesman I had the 1500 Classic Hemi and drove it like any other truck I've owned until I took it in to the dealership for it's scheduled oil change and swapped it out for the Ram 2500 Diesel. Bit more expensive, but they gave me a better percentage rate than the hemi. Winner winner chicken dinner. I've never been so concerned about a vehicle as I am about this Tradesman. Hey, at least I got the cheaper downgraded model. I've had it for 2 years now I guess it's time to trade it in for that new TRX model!
What's the math on the idling verses drive time? Am I in the zone, or destruction of this truck?

I'm glad I didn't get the 6.7 on mine when I ordered it last year. I only average maybe 350 miles a month on it, usually mostly country driving, and only get it up to highway speed a couple times a month for 15-20 minutes. I've had it for 15 months and have 6500 miles on it, and 1500 of those was driving cross country in March. I would have killed the diesel engine by now.

 

[2022 Tradesman]

It's hard to say with new technology. Maybe things have changed since the old days. I don't think I'm killing my truck but apparently I'm not living up to 100% of required driving standards. I've owned my truck for 2 years now I haven't had one problem with it but I hear all kinds of information regarding how to keep a diesel engine in good working order. I just found out today apparently according to my idle hours I put on a additional 10,000 MI. 316 X 33. The drivetrain is warrantied for 100,000 miles so I still got 70,000 or 60,000 miles to go before I got to worry I guess.. just trying to be positive. I know I'm not the only one that has questions about diesel engines because I've read some threads and obviously there's more than one forum regarding diesel engines. I've never been so involved on retaining the information regarding maintenance on a vehicle as I haven with this truck. Every other vehicle I've owned I never bothered researching the information like I have been recently regarding my newly purchased diesel truck.

 

[06 Dodge]

Thank you for your information. I ended up purchasing the hot shot secret diesel additive and actually purchased a combo set. One is extreme and one is everyday. As far as the oil is concerned I don't change the oil, the dealership takes care of that for me. I found out they are using a synthetic oil for my truck. I don't know what brand of oil they use, but I assume it's suitable for the motor since they are a Dodge Ram, Jeep dealership. Today I was just looking into upgrading the air intake and along the way I'm picking up more information about things like the fuel additives. I haven't put anything in the truck yet so if you have any doubts or suggestions please let me know before I go dumping that stuff in my fuel tank. If I only knew then what I know now I might have purchased a different vehicle. One that's not so temperamental about idling and short drives and and all the concerns that come with the diesel motor. Previous to the tradesman I had the 1500 Classic Hemi and drove it like any other truck I've owned until I took it in to the dealership for it's scheduled oil change and swapped it out for the Ram 2500 Diesel. Bit more expensive, but they gave me a better percentage rate than the hemi. Winner winner chicken dinner. I've never been so concerned about a vehicle as I am about this Tradesman. Hey, at least I got the cheaper downgraded model. I've had it for 2 years now I guess it's time to trade it in for that new TRX model!
What's the math on the idling verses drive time? Am I in the zone, or destruction of this truck?

Are you 100% sure they using full synthetic and not synthetic blended oil? My self I will never use the dealer installed oil again, I did so one time, not by choice and the UOA came back telling me that oil did not hold up well in my engine. These newer diesel are great, but they were never made to be only driven 1-2 miles to the store/work and back home again, even with the know problems with the 22's I would still own one over a Hemi any day of the week...

Oh if your using more than 5% Bio you need to make sure you never exceed 12 months or 12,500 mile OCI per owners manual, my self would not run the oil longer than 10K unless UOA stated other wise. Also as stated above you should take it out on the Hwy for a good 45+ minute drive every 2 weeks. As for hot shot I have seen post say its ok and others say the had few regens after they stopped using it, its your choice on what to use in your truck...

 

[2022 Tradesman]

Well now you made me curious about the oil in my truck. Next time I have a conversation with the dealership I'll get the information if it's not already on my paperwork. Regarding the fuel additives is something completely new to me and after viewing the videos regarding the fuel additive and made me curious so I purchased some online. My truck hasn't give me any problems but it's only 2 years old. I've retain the basic knowledge of idling down and people inform me that diesels are built to drive longer distances then common gasoline vehicles, or at least so I've heard. It's a very expensive truck in my opinion which is why I'm here on the forum retaining as much knowledge and information regarding the truck as possible. It boggles me how much information I'm retaining regarding diesel engines. When I had my Toyota pickup I didn't bother reading any forums concerning Toyota pickups or any other vehicle that I owned except for this one. And obviously I'm not the only one with questions because the forum is full of members that have information and questions just like me. So I appreciate the information you guys are giving me regarding this beautiful vehicle. I've gone two years without putting any additives in the fuel tank so I hope when I do apply the additives nothing strange happens..

 

[06 Dodge]

It's hard to say with new technology. Maybe things have changed since the old days. I don't think I'm killing my truck but apparently I'm not living up to 100% of required driving standards. I've owned my truck for 2 years now I haven't had one problem with it but I hear all kinds of information regarding how to keep a diesel engine in good working order. I just found out today apparently according to my idle hours I put on a additional 10,000 MI. 316 X 33. The drivetrain is warrantied for 100,000 miles so I still got 70,000 or 60,000 miles to go before I got to worry I guess.. just trying to be positive. I know I'm not the only one that has questions about diesel engines because I've read some threads and obviously there's more than one forum regarding diesel engines. I've never been so involved on retaining the information regarding maintenance on a vehicle as I haven with this truck. Every other vehicle I've owned I never bothered researching the information like I have been recently regarding my newly purchased diesel truck.

Below is a photo of my engine hours from last month.. IIRC Cummins wants to see idle hours at or below 25%

 

[2022 Tradesman]

Below is a photo of my engine hours from last month.. IIRC Cummins wants to see idle hours at or below 25%

Damn you doing better than me that's for sure. I don't understand how I accumulated so many idle hours. If you do the math at 316 hours I think it was, that's 12 days in a row just idling! I just don't understand where all these hours accumulated.

 

[2022 Tradesman]

So I'm guessing the answer to my percentage being so high regarding idle hours is to drive it long distance periodically once twice a week? Well that just gives me a good reason to drive to Yosemite. You're a 17.4% of your overall hours on your diesel where is I'm at 27% of My overall total hours

 

[2022 Tradesman]

Below is a photo of my engine hours from last month.. IIRC Cummins wants to see idle hours at or below 25%

Good job 17.4%

 

[turkeybird56]

So I'm guessing the answer to my percentage being so high regarding idle hours is to drive it long distance periodically once twice a week? Well that just gives me a good reason to drive to Yosemite. You're a 17.4% of your overall hours on your diesel where is I'm at 27% of My overall total hours

OP, drive it long distance once in a while is ref dpf regen cycles trying to keep yer system cleaning and not clog up. Big downfall on short gg and short dd trips and not running a long period of time and/ or not working the motor.

 

[Choupique]

Idle hours add up. Sitting at stop lights, moving it in the driveway, drive thru, etc.

Like I said in the other thread, don't even look at it or pay it any mind. Just use it.

 

[mtnrider]

I didn't bother to read all that (too painful) but additives are NOT required. 170K and no additives and no issues. Whoever told you they are required, I would not take any advice from them.

Second, this is primarily a gas forum so you will run into a lot of diesel "paranoia", take it with a grain of salt. There are other diesel specific sites out there so consult those before going down a rabbit hole on advice given.

Lastly, It's not rocket science, follow the manual for maintenance, use the recommended fluids and OEM filters and you will be fine.

Drive and enjoy. It's really that simple, don't over think it


.

 

[2022 Tradesman]

Idle hours add up. Sitting at stop lights, moving it in the driveway, drive thru, etc.

Like I said in the other thread, don't even look at it or pay it any mind. Just use it.

I like that idea of just driving the damn thing and not worrying so much. But it's always good to know tips on basic maintenance

 

[2022 Tradesman]

I didn't bother to read all that (too painful) but additives are NOT required. 170K and no additives and no issues. Whoever told you they are required, I would not take any advice from them.

Second, this is primarily a gas forum so you will run into a lot of diesel "paranoia", take it with a grain of salt. There are other diesel specific sites out there so consult those before going down a rabbit hole on advice given.

Lastly, It's not rocket science, follow the manual for maintenance, use the recommended fluids and OEM filters and you will be fine.

Drive and enjoy. It's really that simple, don't over think it


.

I totally agree with you, but as you are here on this forum obviously you have advice regarding diesel engines. The more information you retain the more curious you get. I did a final research on it today because my girlfriend said not to add the additives to the fuel so I questioned that once more and apparently it helps the motor...? What can I say, I didn't build the damn thing I just drive it.

 

[2022 Tradesman]

I totally agree with you, but as you are here on this forum obviously you have advice regarding diesel engines. The more information you retain the more curious you get. I did a final research on it today because my girlfriend said not to add the additives to the fuel so I questioned that once more and apparently it helps the motor...? What can I say, I didn't build the damn thing I just drive it.

There's a lot of information that's contradicting and a lot of opinions regarding certain matters. I appreciate everybody's advice that I have got out of the forum. There's obviously a diesel God out there somewhere that has all the answers to everybody's questions. The truck is fine I'm just looking at long-term maintenance advice. I appreciate all the information the form has given me, although I'm not sure what advice to take...