To all those who live in below-freezing climates during the winter...do you use any fuel additives that prevent the fuel lines from freezing, such as Heet? Here in Wisconsin, the bitter cold of winter is apporaching all too quickly. Is there the chance of adverse reactions if I use one of these products?

 

Hey Thrilhouse,
No you should not have anything to worry about. Those concerns are mainly for diesel. My business sells a anitfreeze for diesel fuel but you have no worries w/ gasoline. Are you near Superior?

 

Don't have my MCS, yet :- But anyways, I lived in Hougton, MI for 5 years. I did not use fuel additivies, the only time I had a problem with freezing was when I let my tank get down to 1/16 of a tank in January (-30F night), and I had difficulty starting my car- but it did start eventually.

Just make sure you keep at least 1/4 of a tank in car in extreme cold, as too little gas allows the vapors to freeze.

According to several dealers I've talked to, certain additivies can actually cause issues with your sensors (can coat them, etc.), so be careful.

cheers,

-Matt :smile:

 

Don't have my MCS, yet :- But anyways, I lived in Hougton, MI for 5 years. I did not use fuel additivies, the only time I had a problem with freezing was when I let my tank get down to 1/16 of a tank in January (-30F night), and I had difficulty starting my car- but it did start eventually.

Just make sure you keep at least 1/4 of a tank in car in extreme cold, as too little gas allows the vapors to freeze.

According to several dealers I've talked to, certain additivies can actually cause issues with your sensors (can coat them, etc.), so be careful.

cheers,

-Matt :smile:

 

I made it through last winter in Minnesota, and I was fine.

They put so much alcholol in our (and your) gas in the winter
as it is that you don't need to add anything else.

Get winter tires though!!! The run-flats SUCK in the snow and ice.

O got Michelin Arctic-Alpins from Tire-rack mounted, balanced,
and on steel rins for the winter.

Let's hope we don't need them for 8 weeks or so!

 

>>According to several dealers I've talked to, certain additivies can actually cause issues
>>with your sensors (can coat them, etc.),

Ugh,

This sounds like a unsubstantiated rumour.

I don't expect to get any more information from you or the dealers,
so you don't need to respond, but this sounds like dealer BS to me.

Sensors get coated? Have the dealer name the sensors that come in contact
with fuel, and then we'll talk.

 

Having grown up in NH, we had a little trick that always worked. You simply had to purchase gas from places that sold a lot of it (as opposed to small places that had the same tank all winter). This ensures you get quality gas to begin with. You should then keep your tank as full as possible at all times. What happens is that the AIR in an empty tank ends up condensing (like it does on your windows), and drips water into the gas and gas line. This water then freezes, causing a blockage.

If you eliminate the air in the tank when the car is sitting (by keeping a full tank), there is no condensation and no moisture gets into your line.

Sean