Are You Over or Under-Treating Your Fuel? What Fleets Need to Know

Fuel additives play an important role in keeping fleet operations running smoothly. They support fuel performance, protect equipment, and help maintain reliability across changing conditions. But one question does not come up often enough: can using too much – or too little – additive create problems instead of solving them?

When “More” Doesn’t Mean Better

It is easy to assume that adding more additives will provide extra protection. After all, if an additive improves performance at the recommended level, adding more should improve it even further. In reality, excessive treatment can create mechanical and operational risks, such as:

• Filter plugging – Excessive additives can create chemical imbalances that form thick material, leading to clogged fuel filters and restricted fuel flow.
• Engine performance issues – Instead of improving performance, too much additive can contribute to sluggish operation and reduced fuel economy.
• Fuel system degradation – High concentrations of certain additives can accelerate wear or degradation of fuel system components over time.

There is also a financial impact. Overdosing increases cost per gallon without delivering additional benefit. Across a large fleet, even small dosing errors can translate into significant annual overspending.

 The Risks of Using Too Little

Underdosing presents a different kind of risk. In this case, the additive may not provide enough protection to do its job.

During winter, insufficient cold-flow additives can leave fuel vulnerable to gelling. In storage, too little stabilizer can allow fuel quality to degrade faster. Over time, that can contribute to operational disruptions, maintenance issues, or reduced reliability.

Underdosing often happens when treatment rates are estimated instead of measured. It can also occur when fuel volumes vary, and additive levels are not adjusted accordingly.

Procurement and Operational Decision

Fuel additives are not just a maintenance product. They are part of the broader fuel procurement strategy. Treatment rates, product selection, and application methods all influence performance, cost, and reliability.

During winter, for example, some fleets may assume that using emergency reliquifiers as a preventative measure adds protection, even when fuel has not gelled. However, these products are intended to fix fuel after gelling occurs; using them preventively may create fuel quality issues rather than prevent them. Click here to learn more about different types of additives.

Therefore, fleet managers benefit from asking a few simple questions:

• Is the additive being applied at the correct ratio?
• Is treatment consistent across all fueling locations?
• Is there visibility into when and how fuel is treated?
• These questions help shift additive use from guesswork to strategy.

Solutions to Maintain Peak Performance

Mansfield offers a full range of products and proactive services to ensure high-quality fuel for your fleets, including Arsenal Additives, Tank Cleaning, Repair and Maintenance, Fuel Testing, and Fuel Treatment. Mansfield experts will analyze your fleet and fuel needs as well as your organizational goals to give you a recommendation for a customized prescriptive additive and fuel quality program. Contact us today!