How Do I Know How Much Additive to Use?

It is a common question. The desired additive has a treat ratio of 1 gallon of additive for every 1000 gallons of diesel fuel...but I'm only filling my tank with 50 gallons. How do I know how much additive to use?  
 

The concept of a fuel additive ‘treat rate’ \of additive being put into a fuel is often misunderstood. It is not complicated and does not have to be confusing as long as you do the math.  

The additive ‘treat rate’ is a ratio of the amount of additive used to the amount of fuel treated with the additive.

Example 1: IF, an additive ‘treat rate’ is 1 to 7,500 (1:7500) thus, to achieve the product claims 1 gallon of additive should be put into 7,500 gallons of fuel

Example 2: IF, an additive ‘treat rate’ is 1 to 1,500 (1:1500) then to meet the product claims 1 gallon of additive must be put into 1,500 gallons of fuel

Example 3: IF, an additive ‘treat rate’ is 1 to 500 (1:500) then, 1 gallon of additive must be put into 500 gallons of fuel

 
 
 
But what if you only have a small fuel tank?      
 
It is important to remember that there are 128 ounces in 1 gallon.    Time to do some simple math and divide the 1 gallon treat volume by 128 ounces, thus:

Example 1A: IF, an additive ‘treat rate’ is 1 to 7,500 (1:7500)

            dividing 7500 gallons of fuel by 128 ounces of additive nets a sum of 58.59 
            thus, 1 ounce of additive will treat 58.59 gallons of fuel

Example 2A: IF, an additive ‘treat rate’ is 1 to 1,500 (1:1500)

            divding 1500 gallons of fuel by 128 ounces of additive nets a sum of 11.79
            thus, 1 ounce of additive will treat 11.79 gallons of fuel

Example 3A: IF, an additive ‘treat rate’ is 1 to 500 (1:500)

              dividing 500 gallons of fuel by 128 ounces nets a sum of 3.91
              thus, 1 ounce of additive will treat 3.91 gallons of fuel 
    
Take the amount of new (untreated) fuel you want to treat and divide that number by your per ounce calculation.   Dose your tank appropriately.
 
Important Note: most fuel users will rarely be treating individual/small tanks with additives with low concentration fuel additives with 1:5000 gallon (or more) treat ratios.   Dosing at these rates is extremely difficult for small volume tanks.
 
 
For converting treat rate to PPM (parts per million) click here. 
 
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