DieselHunt may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Every farm store in Minnesota has a wall of diesel additive bottles by late October, and every one of them says it stops gelling. They don’t all work the same, they aren’t all dosed the same, and one of the most common mistakes is grabbing an emergency “rescue” bottle and using it as an everyday anti-gel. This guide sorts out the anti-gel additives worth buying for a Cummins, Duramax, or Powerstroke this winter, how they compare, and how to actually use them.
Quick Picks: Anti-Gel Additives
If your truck also has trouble starting in the cold, read our diesel cold-start and block heater guide too. Anti-gel keeps the fuel flowing. It won’t fix a dead block heater or weak batteries.
Quick Picks
- Best overall (easiest to find): Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement +Cetane Boost (white bottle)
- Best alcohol-free option: Howes Diesel Treat
- Top performer in independent testing: Hot Shot’s Secret Diesel Winter Anti-Gel
- Best for lubricity: Opti-Lube Winter Anti-Gel
- Also worth a look: Stanadyne Performance Formula
- Keep one behind the seat (emergency only): Power Service Diesel 9-1-1 or Howes Diesel Lifeline
Comparison Table
| Product | Main Job | Contains Alcohol? | Where to Buy | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Service white bottle | Anti-gel, cetane, lubricity | Check label | Almost every farm, fleet and parts store | Check current price |
| Howes Diesel Treat | Anti-gel, water control, lubricity | No (per Howes) | Farm and parts stores | Check current price |
| Hot Shot’s Secret Winter Anti-Gel | Anti-gel, cetane, lubricity | Check label | Online, some parts stores | Check current price |
| Opti-Lube Winter Anti-Gel | Anti-gel plus strong lubricity | Check label | Mostly online and diesel shops | Check current price |
| Stanadyne Performance Formula | Multi-purpose with winter protection | Check label | Parts stores, online | Check current price |
| Diesel 9-1-1 / Diesel Lifeline | Rescue gelled fuel and iced filters | Varies | Everywhere | Check current price |
How Diesel Gels (and What Anti-Gel Actually Does)
Diesel contains paraffin wax. When it cools to its cloud point, wax crystals start to form and the fuel looks hazy. Colder still, at the cold filter plugging point, those crystals are big enough to clog your fuel filter. Keep going and the fuel can thicken into a gel.
An anti-gel (also called a cold-flow improver) doesn’t melt wax. It changes how the crystals form so they stay small enough to pass through the filter. That’s why it has to be in the fuel before the temperature drops. Once the wax has already formed, an anti-gel can’t undo it. That job belongs to rescue products like Diesel 9-1-1.
Minnesota pumps switch to winter-blend fuel (usually #2 blended with #1), and that does a lot of the work. Additive is insurance for the cold snaps that outrun the blend, for fuel you bought in early fall, and for trucks that sit.
The Additives, Compared
Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement +Cetane Boost: Best Overall
The white bottle is the default in the upper Midwest for a reason: you can buy it at nearly any gas station, farm store, or fleet supply, so you’re never stuck without it on a trip. Power Service markets it as an anti-gel with cetane improver and lubricity additives. In the head-to-head tests run by the YouTube channel Project Farm, it was a solid mid-pack performer: not the winner, but dependable.
Good to know: don’t confuse it with the silver bottle (Diesel Kleen), which is Power Service’s summer product and isn’t an anti-gel.
Howes Diesel Treat: Best Alcohol-Free Option
Howes is the other name you’ll see on every shelf. Howes says Diesel Treat contains no alcohol and is made to handle water in fuel, and it publishes a heavier dose for below-zero weather. Plenty of operators run it for years without trouble. In Project Farm’s testing it did less well on lubricity than some of the others, so if lubricity is your main worry, look at Opti-Lube or Hot Shot’s instead.
Hot Shot’s Secret Diesel Winter Anti-Gel: Top Performer in Testing
In Project Farm’s January 2025 anti-gel test, Hot Shot’s Secret Winter Anti-Gel finished first overall and led the cold-flow and corrosion tests. Hot Shot’s lists a 1:1,000 treat ratio, roughly 1 oz per 8 gallons, so one bottle goes a long way even on a big diesel tank. It’s harder to find in small-town stores, so buy before the season.
Opti-Lube Winter Anti-Gel: Best for Lubricity
Opti-Lube has a strong following among owners of pump-sensitive trucks (CP4 Duramax and 6.7 Powerstroke owners especially) because it consistently scores well on lubricity in independent testing. The winter formula adds anti-gel. Opti-Lube lists a lower dose for normal winter weather and a heavier one for extreme cold, so read the bottle. It’s mostly sold online and through diesel shops.
If you’re thinking about pump protection, pair this with good filtration. See our guide to the best diesel fuel filtration upgrades.
Stanadyne Performance Formula
Stanadyne builds fuel injection equipment, and its Performance Formula is a multi-purpose additive marketed for cetane, lubricity, and cold-weather protection. Results in cold-flow testing have been mixed compared to the dedicated winter products above, so we’d use it as a year-round conditioner and lean on one of the others for the worst cold.
Emergency Rescue: Diesel 9-1-1 and Howes Diesel Lifeline
These are for after the fuel has gelled or the filter has iced. Power Service says plainly that Diesel 9-1-1 does not prevent gelling. Keep a bottle of Diesel 9-1-1 or Howes Diesel Lifeline in the cab all winter. If you gel up, the usual approach is to fill the fuel filter with the product (where your filter design allows), add the rest to the tank, and give it time to work. Follow the bottle’s instructions for your truck.
Check price on Amazon Check price on Amazon
How to Use Anti-Gel Correctly
- Add it before you fuel. Pour it in first, then fill. The incoming fuel mixes it. Pouring it on top of a full tank in the cold doesn’t mix well.
- Dose for the coldest temperature you expect, not today’s. Most brands publish a heavier rate for below zero.
- Don’t overdose “for good measure.” More isn’t always better. Stick to the label.
- Treat early. Start in October, so the fuel in the tank, filter, and lines is already treated when the first cold snap hits.
- Don’t stack brands in the same tank. Pick one.
- Change your fuel filter before winter and carry a spare. A filter that’s half-loaded with dirt plugs much faster with wax.
- Drain the water separator. Water in diesel freezes into ice crystals that block filters even when the fuel itself is fine.
Buying Guide: What to Look For
Cold-Flow Claims
Look for a specific claim about cold filter plugging point (CFPP) or pour point improvement, not just “winter formula.”
Treat Ratio and Cost per Tank
Bottle price means little. A cheap bottle that treats 50 gallons can cost more per tank than a pricier one that treats 250. Do the math for your tank size. Many 3/4- and 1-ton diesels carry 26 to 36 gallons or more.
Lubricity
Ultra-low-sulfur diesel has less natural lubricity. If you run a CP4 or other pump known to be sensitive, a product that adds lubricity is a smart choice year-round.
Water Handling
Products handle water differently. Some disperse it, some separate it out. Either way, keep draining your water separator.
Availability
The best anti-gel is the one you actually have with you. If you travel, a brand sold everywhere has real value.
FAQ
Do I need anti-gel if I buy winter-blend diesel?
Not always, but it’s cheap insurance in Minnesota. Winter blend is set for typical conditions, and a hard cold snap, fuel bought early in the fall, or a truck parked outside for days can all outrun it.
At what temperature does diesel gel?
It depends on the fuel. Untreated #2 diesel commonly starts to cloud somewhere around 10 to 20°F. Winter blends and #1 diesel go much lower. Your fuel supplier can tell you the cloud point of what they’re selling.
Can I use Diesel 9-1-1 as a regular anti-gel?
No. It’s a rescue product. Use a dedicated anti-gel like the white bottle, Howes Diesel Treat, or Hot Shot’s for prevention.
Is it OK to mix anti-gel brands?
It’s best not to. Use one product per tank and follow its dosing.
Does anti-gel hurt my emissions system?
Major brands market their winter additives as safe for modern diesels with DPF and SCR systems. Check the label for that wording, and avoid home remedies like adding gasoline or used oil to your fuel.
Bottom Line
For most Minnesota diesel owners, the Power Service white bottle or Howes Diesel Treat, added before every winter fill, is all you need, and you can buy either anywhere. If you want the best test results, Hot Shot’s Secret Winter Anti-Gel is the one to stock up on, and Opti-Lube is the pick if you care most about pump lubricity. Whatever you run, keep a bottle of Diesel 9-1-1 and a spare fuel filter in the cab, and start treating in October, not after the first morning at 20 below.