These Days It’s All About Fuel Quality
How to Save Thousands of Dollars Using Diesel Fuel Best Practices
If you’re running diesel-powered equipment, you already know: downtime is expensive. Whether you're in agriculture, construction, transportation, or heavy industry, every minute lost to engine failure or poor performance can mean thousands in lost revenue.
And increasingly, that downtime comes down to one thing: fuel quality.
It Starts at the Refinery — But That’s Just the Beginning
Diesel fuel coming out of the refinery meets national standards for quality. It’s tested, compliant, and technically ready for use. But from the moment it leaves the refinery, diesel fuel is exposed to a long chain of storage tanks, delivery systems, and on-site handling practices.
Every stop along the way is an opportunity for contamination. Water, dust, rust particles, and microbial growth can all find their way into your fuel. But the biggest threat these days? A type of contamination you can’t even see: Internal Diesel Injector Deposits, or IDID.
What Are IDIDs — and Why Are They a Problem?
IDID is a modern-day headache. Unlike traditional fuel contaminants, IDID forms inside the fuel injectors of high-pressure common rail diesel engines. These deposits restrict flow, disrupt spray patterns, and reduce combustion efficiency.
The result?
Poor engine performance
Hard starts
Increased fuel consumption
Expensive injector replacements
Costly downtime
In many cases, operators don't even realize IDID is the cause — they just know their equipment isn’t running like it used to.
How to Protect Your Fuel — and Your Bottom Line
The good news is: you can fight back. By implementing diesel fuel best practices, you can dramatically improve fuel quality and engine reliability, while saving thousands in repairs and lost productivity.
Here’s how:
1. Use a High-Quality Diesel Additive
A strong additive doesn’t just clean — it prevents. DSG’s 4+ Premium Diesel Additive is specifically designed to combat IDID and restore lost engine power. With a high-detergency formula, it:
Cleans fuel injectors
Improves combustion
Boosts fuel economy
Prevents the buildup of new deposits
In side-by-side testing, 4+ delivers noticeable improvements in smoothness and throttle response — often after just one tank.
2. Upgrade Your Filtration System
Fuel filters are your frontline defense. Modern engines require tighter tolerances and cleaner fuel than ever before. If your filtration system isn’t up to spec, contaminants will make their way into the engine — guaranteed.
Invest in high-efficiency fuel filters and inspect them regularly. Water-separating filters are especially critical in humid or variable climates.
3. Schedule Regular Fuel Polishing
Even if your fuel looks clean, it may be harboring sludge, microbial growth, or settled particulates — especially in storage tanks. Fuel polishing is a process that removes contaminants and reconditions the fuel, making it clean and ready for use.
It’s an essential part of preventative maintenance for any operation storing diesel on-site for more than 30 days.
4. Follow Smart Storage Practices
Keep tanks full to minimize condensation
Store fuel in a cool, shaded area if possible
Use tank breathers and moisture barriers
Rotate your fuel regularly
Good storage habits mean your fuel stays cleaner, longer — reducing the risk of degradation and microbial growth.
The Bottom Line: Clean Fuel Pays for Itself
When diesel engines go down, productivity grinds to a halt. And with rising labor, equipment, and fuel costs, businesses can’t afford to gamble on poor fuel quality.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure — or thousands in avoided repairs.
At DSG Power Systems, we’ve helped farmers, contractors, fleet operators, and industrial clients across Western Canada protect their investments with proven solutions. From premium additives to filtration systems and fuel maintenance services, we’re your partner in performance and reliability.
Want to protect your fuel system and save money?
Talk to DSG today by contacting at (800) 667-6879 about a fuel health check and product recommendation tailored to your operation.