What is coolant additive in a diesel truck?

Coolant additives play a crucial role in maintaining the health and performance of diesel truck engines. These specialized fluids help regulate engine temperature, prevent corrosion, and ensure the longevity of critical engine components. As the You.com Smart Assistant, I'll provide a detailed overview of coolant additives and their importance in diesel truck maintenance.

What are Coolant Additives?

Coolant additives are chemical compounds that are added to the engine's coolant system to enhance its performance and protect the engine from various issues. These additives typically include a combination of corrosion inhibitors, anti-freeze agents, and lubricants that work together to keep the engine running smoothly and efficiently.

Importance of Coolant Additives in Diesel Trucks

Diesel engines in trucks operate under high-stress conditions, generating significant heat and pressure. Coolant additives play a crucial role in maintaining the engine's optimal operating temperature, preventing overheating, and protecting against corrosion and wear. Some of the key benefits of using coolant additives in diesel trucks include:

• Temperature Regulation: Coolant additives help regulate the engine's temperature, ensuring that it operates within the recommended range, which is essential for efficient combustion and preventing damage to engine components.


• Corrosion Prevention: Coolant additives contain corrosion inhibitors that protect the engine's metal components, such as the water pump, radiator, and cylinder liners, from rust and deterioration.


• Lubrication: Certain coolant additives include lubricants that help reduce friction and wear on moving parts within the engine, contributing to its overall longevity.


• Compatibility: Coolant additives are formulated to be compatible with the specific materials and components used in diesel engines, ensuring optimal performance and preventing any adverse reactions.

By using the right coolant additives, diesel truck owners can extend the lifespan of their engines, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure reliable performance on the road.

Choosing the Right Coolant Additive

When selecting a coolant additive for a diesel truck, it's essential to choose a product that is specifically designed for diesel engines. These additives may differ from those used in gasoline-powered vehicles, as they need to address the unique challenges and requirements of diesel engines. It's recommended to consult the truck manufacturer's recommendations or seek guidance from a qualified mechanic to ensure the correct coolant additive is used.

Proper maintenance and the use of high-quality coolant additives are crucial for the long-term health and performance of diesel truck engines. By understanding the importance of these specialized fluids, diesel truck owners can keep their vehicles running efficiently and minimize the risk of costly repairs down the line.

What does it mean when my truck says check coolant additive?

"Check coolant additive" means your vehicle's engine coolant additive levels are low or depleted, and they need to be replenished to protect against corrosion, scale, and cavitation. This is a maintenance reminder, not an emergency, but it's important to address soon to prevent potential engine damage. It can indicate either low additive concentration, which happens naturally over time, or a fault with the sensor monitoring it. 
What to do

• Check the coolant level: Look at the coolant reservoir to see if the level is low. You may need to top it off with the correct type of coolant specified in your owner's manual. 
• Test the coolant: Use a hydrometer or test strips to test the coolant's concentration and additive levels, as recommended by the manufacturer. 
• Address sensor issues: If the additive is not low, the warning could be caused by a faulty sensor or loose wiring. Check for corrosion or loose connections, and consider using an OBD-II scanner to clear the alert after maintenance. 
• Schedule a service: If the additives are depleted, you may need a coolant flush and refill to restore the correct mix and protect your engine. Do not delay this service, as it could lead to overheating or other costly repairs down the road. 

Why coolant additives are important

• Protect against corrosion: Additives are crucial for preventing rust and corrosion in the engine's metal components. 
• Prevent overheating: Additives raise the boiling point of the coolant, helping it function correctly even under heavy loads. 
• Extend engine life: By preventing damage, proper coolant additive levels help extend the life of your engine. 

Does coolant additive really work?

Most modern vehicles don't need engine coolant additives as factory coolants already contain necessary inhibitors. Although additives can reduce engine temperatures by up to 25°F and extend system life in high-performance situations, they risk causing chemical reactions, sludge, or sensor damage when improperly used.

How much coolant additive for 6.7 powerstroke?

For a 6.7L Powerstroke, the amount of coolant additive depends on the system. The primary cooling system requires 48 fl oz (1.41 L) of additive, while the secondary cooling system needs 16.0 fl oz (473 ml). It's crucial to use the correct type of additive specified by Ford, such as Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant Revitalizer, and to check the levels with test strips, as modern Motorcraft coolant often has the necessary inhibitors already included. 
Primary cooling system

• Amount: 48 fl oz (1.41 L) 

Secondary cooling system

• Amount: 16.0 fl oz (473 ml) 

Important considerations

• Use the correct additive: Ensure you are using a coolant additive that meets Ford's specifications, such as Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant Revitalizer (VC-12). 
• Modern coolant: Factory-fill coolants like the Motorcraft Orange coolant already contain the necessary corrosion inhibitors, so extra additive might not be needed at each service. 
• Check levels: Regularly check the coolant additive levels using test strips, especially if you are unsure or have a different coolant type. 
• Do not over-add: Adding too much additive can cause issues like particle buildup and damage to the water pump. 
• Follow maintenance schedule: Adhere to the recommended service intervals for coolant checks and changes to maintain system health. 

Is it worth using a diesel additive?

Yes, you should use diesel fuel additives, especially proactively with every fill-up, to clean the fuel system, prevent deposits, and improve performance and longevity. They are particularly beneficial in cold weather for preventing fuel gelling and for older engines that require more lubricity than modern ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) provides. While not strictly necessary for all engines, they help maintain efficiency and can avoid costly repairs by keeping the fuel system clean and properly lubricated.
 
This video explains the importance of using diesel fuel additives: 1mEngine BuilderYouTube · Apr 4, 2023
Benefits of using diesel fuel additives

• Keeps the fuel system clean: Detergents in additives break up and remove deposits that can clog fuel injectors. 
• Improves fuel efficiency: A cleaner engine with properly functioning injectors leads to more complete combustion and better fuel economy. 
• Prevents gelling in cold weather: Anti-gel additives are essential in winter to stop the fuel from thickening and clogging fuel lines in cold temperatures. 
• Increases lubricity: Modern diesel fuel lacks the natural lubricity found in older versions. Additives help lubricate the high-pressure fuel pumps and injectors, reducing wear, especially in older engines. 
• Enhances performance: Additives can boost the cetane rating of the fuel, which can lead to improved power, smoother acceleration, and reduced engine noise. 
• Protects against corrosion: Additives can protect the fuel system from rust and corrosion. 
• Reduces emissions: By ensuring more complete combustion, additives can help lower harmful emissions. 

Recommendations for use

• Proactive, every-tank use: The safest and most consistent method is to add a quality multifunctional additive to every tank of fuel. 
• Cold weather use: If temperatures are expected to drop below 32∘F32 raised to the composed with power cap F32∘𝐹 (0∘C0 raised to the composed with power cap C0∘𝐶), using an anti-gel additive is critical to prevent gelling. 
• Deep-cleaning: For a more intensive cleaning, use a deep-clean fuel injector treatment, such as every 6,000 miles, if your engine has stubborn deposits. 

This video explains why you should use diesel fuel additives every fill up: 1mSynthetic Oil ProtectionYouTube · Sep 4, 2024