28 January 2025

Fuel additives for diesel engines
If you’ve found this page while searching for information about additives for diesel engines, we’re happy to congratulate you – we know a lot about them and will try to cover the most important points.
Why are additives necessary?
The most obvious answer is that they improve the characteristics of a diesel engine: they increase ignition speed, reduce freezing temperature, and help keep various fuel system components clean.
As a result of using additives, the vehicle’s engine life will be extended, and you’ll save on auto service costs. Equally important – harmful emissions will decrease. Additionally, driving the vehicle will become more convenient.
What are diesel fuel additives, and what is their classification?
These can refer to components added to diesel fuel at the factory. However, our focus is on substances that are poured directly into the fuel tank during refueling.
One criterion for classifying diesel fuel additives is their chemical composition. There are fine-disperse, metal-plating, and additives based on polyether. Paraffin can also be used instead of polyether. How the composition affects the characteristics:
- Fine-disperse types coat engine parts with scratches. When the fuel heats up, the additive solidifies. In this form, it protects the diesel engine from friction, thus slowing down engine wear.
- Metal-plating additives coat all surfaces inside the diesel tank. As a result, the performance of pistons, connecting rods, and combustion chamber walls is increased.
- Additives with polyether and paraffin coat the diesel particles, giving the fuel cleaning properties.
Additionally, there are:
- Additives for continuous use with specific types of diesel fuel – cleaning and anti-corrosive substances.
- One-time additives – lubricating, cetane-boosting, or anti-gel additives.

Types of Additives
How Anti-Gel Works
An additive is like a gentle embrace for every diesel particle. By coating the particles, the anti-gel reduces the freezing temperature, ensuring that fuel can flow freely through the system even in temperatures as low as -55°C. At the same time, the additive prevents the fuel from separating, which naturally extends the shelf life of the diesel. However, the anti-gel works only as a preventive measure! It cannot remove cloudiness or other issues that have already formed in the fuel.


Features of Cetane Boosters
Like anti-gel additives, cetane boosters are particularly useful during cold winters. They reduce the interval between fuel injection into the cylinder and the start of combustion. The result is smoother and quieter engine operation, along with significant fuel savings.
When using a cetane booster, it's essential to consider two factors:
- The cetane number can only be increased up to the level for which the diesel engine is designed.
- Strict proportion adherence is required: only 1 gram of additive per 1 kilogram of diesel fuel.
Properties of Lubricating Additives
Modern diesel fuel has a reduced sulfur content of only 10 mg/kg. While this change has made emissions safer, it has also led to the removal of polar molecules from the fuel, which previously acted as lubricants for moving engine parts. Lubricating additives have become an effective solution to this issue. They form chemisorptive layers on surfaces, reducing friction and thereby increasing the diesel engine’s lifespan.
Purpose of Cleaning Additives
These substances dissolve carbon deposits and buildup in fuel injectors, fuel lines, and the combustion chamber. Using them helps maintain the engine's original power and saves fuel. As mentioned earlier, these additives should be added at every refueling.
Features of Anti-Smoke Additives
Anti-smoke additives help make engine emissions safer for the environment. Some also remove carbon deposits simultaneously. However, it’s important to remember that adding anti-smoke products significantly alters the fuel's properties, which can lead to unpredictable results. We recommend consulting a specialist beforehand.
Benefits of Restorative Additives
These additives are designed for seals and gaskets. When added to the fuel, they cause minorly damaged seals to swell, temporarily protecting against leaks. However, the capabilities of restorative additives are limited — they cannot conceal major damages.
Overview of Hyper Auto Additives
Our brand's product line includes both specialized additives designed to address specific tasks and universal solutions that can replace several types of automotive chemicals at once. These products deliver high efficiency while significantly reducing costs.
If you prefer comprehensive diesel fuel additives, it's worth noting that they traditionally perform three functions:
- Increase the cetane number;
- Protect against corrosion and deposits;
- Remove deposits.
Injector cleaners and decarbonizers remove carbon deposits from injector bodies, nozzles, and control valves. As a result, the vehicle accelerates more quickly. The cetane booster increases the cetane number by 3 points. Fuel system flushes clean injectors from carbon and deposits, with some designed specifically for the oil system. Anti-gel reduces the diesel freezing point to -55°C.
Using Hyper Auto additives ensures high-quality and long-lasting engine performance. They help save on fuel and car repairs while making it easier to start your vehicle in cold weather.


How to Choose the Right Diesel Additive?
Think about the problems you encounter most often. For example:
- Lubricating additives can help reduce wear and tear caused by friction.
- Restorative additives can prevent the rapid deterioration of seals.
- Anti-gel and cetane boosters are ideal for typical cold winter issues.
Professional advice is always beneficial. Consult a mechanic or a service station expert — they can recommend the most suitable additive for your engine.
To learn more about the properties of Hyper Auto additives, call our experts at +7 (905) 083-57-17. They'll provide detailed answers to any questions you may have.