Recommended Practices
- Do not add crankcase lubricant to the fuel as it can increase fuel filter plugging, reduce water separator efficiency, increase water carryover from underground tanks and adversely affect emissions
- Since fuels are tailored to meet changes in monthly ambient temperatures, plan to draw the fuel inventory down each month so that summer fuels are not used in the fall or winter.
- Keep the fuel dry. Use water separators and drain them frequently. Keep tanks full overnight to avoid moisture when ambient temperatures are above zero.
- Fuel vehicles in the mornings from underground tanks in order to get warm fuel into the vehicle fuel tank(s) in order to prevent waxing when ambient temperature is below freezing overnight.
- Avoid fueling from a truckstop where fuel has just been or is in the process of being unloaded. Wait at least 45 minutes after a transporter has completed unloading to reduce the chance of excess moisture and dirt.
- Replace vehicle fuel filter(s) at the beginning of the winter season because a partially plugged filter will plug faster in cold weather. The filter nominal micron size should be at the maximum accepted by the engine manufacturer. Finer micron filters may noticeably increase cold weather filter plugging.