If your car has been sitting in the garage for a couple of months or more, there’s a good chance it will have fuel quality issues due to the fuel sitting inside the tank undergoing chemical reactions that make it less effective.
Luckily, fuel stabilizers do wonders for preventing gasoline from going bad over time. They are chemical additives that prevent evaporation and sticky resins that can damage carburetors. Stabilizers essentially extend gasoline’s lifespan by a couple of years or more.
Fuel stabilizers contain the following:
Among other things, fuel stabilizers act as a layer of protection by stopping chemical reactions between fuel and oxygen, light, heat, or metals.
You can use fuel stabilizers on gasoline you plan on storing inside a container for future use. This will preserve and extend its lifespan, ensuring you can still use the gasoline even after a couple of years or more.
Additionally, you can also directly add the stabilizer to a gas-filled fuel tank, regardless if it’s new or old. Stabilizers should prevent newly pumped gas from evaporating. Some owners do this when they’ll be away from their vehicle for months.
Using fuel stabilizers isn’t as complicated as it sounds. The first thing you need to do is find a brand with a formulation that fits your vehicle, as some only work on either gasoline or diesel fuel.
Afterward, follow these steps:
In addition to preserving the lifespan of fuel, stabilizers also help prevent corrosion inside the fuel tank, improve the car’s performance, and save you money in the long run.
Stabilizers prevent corrosion because they interfere with the chemical reaction caused by air and heat. Rust is harmful to the fuel tank because it can clog the fuel filter and damage the fuel injectors.
Ultimately, this may result in poor engine performance, rough idling, and decreased fuel economy.
Using fuel stabilizers improves vehicle performance because fuel breakdown can often lead to debris and moisture, which causes clogged strainers and filters. These can lead to issues like ignition trouble, rough idling, or stalling during acceleration.
If your vehicle suffers from poor performance due to bad gas, you’ll likely have to siphon it and pump in new fuel. Using fuel stabilizers can help you avoid wasting money on unused gas by keeping the fuel in your tank fresh.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about fuel stabilizers.
Yes, you can add fuel stabilizers to old gas. While they work better when added to fresh fuel, stabilizers will still prolong the lifespan of older gas.
No, fuel stabilizers don’t improve gas mileage. They only preserve and prolong the quality of your fuel. However, stabilizers could indirectly enhance fuel efficiency as you may prevent engine problems that can lead to increased gas consumption.
Fuel stabilizers usually have a shelf life of two years. After that period, the protection they provide likely diminishes. In this case, it might be best to get a new bottle instead.
The amount of fuel stabilizer you should use per gallon depends on the instructions written on the bottle. However, it’s generally between one and one-and-a-half ounces per two gallons. Just ensure you use the correct amount so the stabilizer does its job.
Don’t worry, using too much stabilizer shouldn’t negatively affect the fuel.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.