What to do if you don't use a full tank about 2 or 2 1/2 months?

Sir Clean · 05-21-05, 05:37

I have a garage queen which I drive when it is nice out and the roads are dry. Since I am busy with works, I don't see my car most of the time except for Sat or Sun (I drive a company car). So, I don't use up a full tank of gas up to 2 months or 2 1/2 months. I put in fuel stabilizer during the winter time (during which I only drive a few days a month). But, I am afraid of postential side effect if I keep using fuel stabilizer every time I fill her up. Any comment on this?

Mighty HD · 05-21-05, 06:06

I also spend 90% of my driving in the company truck.

I have an 04 GMc 2500hd 4wd thats a garage queen too. I've had it over a year and JUST broke 8500 miles. I TRY to run through a tank of gas at least once a month. I haven't used fuel stabilizer but I dont see any side effects from it.

Do a google search for "Fuel Stablilzer side effects" or something along those lines.

SpoiledMan · 05-21-05, 06:08

My "cover queen" only gets through about 1-2 tanks PER YEAR and I don't have a problem with gas becoming unstable at all even with the various "blends" that we go through during the course of the year. No hard starting, rough idling or poor mileage is demonstrated either. I would have to think that 2 months would be no problem at all.

Sir Clean · 05-21-05, 06:37

My garage queen is 12000 miles, which I bought new in July 2002. So, it seems gas does not really go bad that quickly. Since my car is garaged most of time (away from the sun light and high heat), it is likely gas will keep its molecular property intact for a few months without fuel stabilizer. But, this is still a guess at best. Anyone who has a hard fact on gas' longevity in the tank?

Accumulator · 05-23-05, 10:00

I've had the same tank of gas in the S8 since late December, no problems at all. and I've left untreated gas in the XJS for years before, again, no problems. I did have a tank go bad in one of my project cars, but that was after a few years and it was stored outside (think temperature changes/condensation).

rjstaaf · 05-23-05, 10:09

You might want to take a look at FP60 from LubeControl. It can be used as a fuel stabalizer for storage but, is also good to use regularly in a daily driver. It is relatively cheap. 1 gallon costs $26.50 and treats 640 gallons of fuel.

http://www.lubecontrol.com/fuel.htm

Quote:

What will FP60 do for my car ?

FP60 is special blend of chemicals designed to clean your vehicle’s fuel system and increase the potential energy in the fuel mixture. This in turn will potentially increase fuel mileage and lengthen vehicle running time. This product will not only clean but protect a vehicle’s fuel system by leaving a thin protective coat of oil over vital fuel system parts including fuel pump, gas tank and fuel injectors. FP60 also acts as a fuel stabilizer by dissolving carbon deposits and lowering the fuel mixture freezing points in both gas and diesel fuels. This product has also been proven to decrease both carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide emissions up to 30% which will reduce pollution.

Mmmph · 05-23-05, 10:11

I've used STA-BIL fuel stabilizer for years on all sorts of vehicles, lawn equipment and gas-powered tools.

Never a problem here...YMMV.

blkZ28Conv · 05-23-05, 10:14

I have the same tank of gas in my 95 Z28 convertible since September 04. No stabilizers and no mileage. I may crank her up once very 6 to 8 weeks. I have been using this protocol since 1995 for this vehicle. No problems. I do always try to keep the tank at least 3/4 full to ward off any condensation problems when in storage.
2-3 month and the frequency in which you drive will not present a problem IMHO.

TW85 HHI · 05-23-05, 11:22

Our boat has a 103 gallon fuel tank and it has sat for 5+ months. We do keep fuel stabilizer in the tank if we know it will sit longer than a month or two but we have yet to have any problems and the engine always starts smoothly on the first try.

On the other hand, one of our jet skis had a fuel level sensor gum up from aged fuel. The gas was a couple of years old, however, and no fuel stabilizer had been put into the tank.

Accumulator · 05-23-05, 06:00

Quote:

Originally posted by TW85 HHI
...On the other hand, one of our jet skis had a fuel level sensor gum up from aged fuel...

Seems like smaller engines are more sensitive to this. Our lawn & garden equipment always needs fresh fuel.

Intercooled · 05-23-05, 06:28

I use fuel Sabilizer for the winter as well. I've never had a problem even after 5 1/2 months of winter stotage. One thing that I was told is that when fuel sits for a period of time it loses its octane. So, for example, in my car which is turbo charged and very sensitive to octane levels you just need to take caution.Particularly in a performance car. I was always told that after my storage time to run the stored tank of gas out before " attemping full open throttle driving!".( The stored tank of gas with its lower octane rating could cause severe knock retard.) I'm sure this wouldn't apply to most cars. But of course any regular driving shouldn't have any adverse effects.

JDookie · 05-23-05, 07:03

Quote:

Originally posted by Accumulator
Seems like smaller engines are more sensitive to this. Our lawn & garden equipment always needs fresh fuel.

I fully agree with this. When I had SeaDoo's, we had to empty the fuel and dry out the carbs for the winter otherwise we'd end up with problems come next summer. I find this happens in my chainsaw too. If I don't use it for a while, I have to dump out the old fuel and put in fresh or it will never start.

As far as cars go, I've had my Expedition since Feb. of last year and have only put 3,700 miles on it so far with no problems. My race car also goes months at a time without being run for any length of time, and no problems there either. Before a race I still put in a fresh tank of C16, but during the non-race seasons I just use regular 93 octane to putt around the house with since $100 for 10 gallons of fuel gets a little steep.