So, I just randomly learned that gasoline in your car "goes bad" in one to three months or so...

[W_HAMILTON]

Here I am sitting here, not even able to remember the last time I fueled up my car since it's probably been damn close to a year or something crazy like that. I still use it every few weeks to run errands, but most are nearby, so, with the COVID quarantine, I haven't had to refill my tank in who knows how long -- probably not this year. And apparently using "bad gas" in your car can wreak havoc on your engine and related parts.

Does anyone know what I should do to fix this? I have about half a tank now of the "bad gas." I've read that you can buy something called stabilizer -- I'm looking at buying this: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00125ZMD2/ -- and from what I understand, I can just put new "good gas" on top of the "bad gas" (apparently the good will dilute the bad, making it usable?) and then add this product and drive it for 10-15 minutes and then the gasoline should be relatively good to use and should last me for well over a year. Does that sound correct?

I am not mechanically inclined at all, so any advice on this would be greatly appreciated!

[SheltieLover]

1. Just drive it

You can put in fuel injector cleaner, but not necessary if car is within ~20 years old.

If fuel is fresh, it will stay good for a while. ~1 year.

You can also put fuel stabilizer in if you're worried. Sta-Bil is what we use in small engines.

[W_HAMILTON]

5. The car is about 10 years old.

It sounds like I don't even need to bother with the stabilizer product and can just drive off the remaining fuel and start fresh. Once again, I didn't even know there was such a thing about gasoline going bad in your car until I randomly read something, and then I got worried if I was doing damage to my car since I can't even remember the last time I went to go get gas.

Sounds like it's just time to take a joy ride and fill back up!

Thanks for your help!

[SheltieLover]

6. You are most welcome!

👍

[Cracklin Charlie]

11. I did that last weekend.

I had about a half tank of gas that I bought on March 18th.

Hubs and I made a picnic, and loaded up the pups and drove to a small state park with picnic tables about an hour away. Filled up the tank when we got home.

[Boxerfan]

2. I really wouldn't worry much.

Most modern cars have knock sensors that help prevent fuel related damage. And new vehicles have a very well contained system so air contamination like in a simple container is nil.

I would suggest a 1 hour drive call it a mini vacation. Try to just stay on highways and get the engine & exhaust system fully warm. The exhaust of low use cars tends to rust as moisture that gets trapped is not burned off in short trips. Once every month a hour drive or expect to replace some parts on the exhaust sooner than normal. And engine oil is also prone to collect moisture in humid climates it helps there also.


After a fill up drive it. In the future the stabilizer is cheap & may help if you can't drive it.

[W_HAMILTON]

3. Thanks for the response!

The car is about ~10 years old -- is that considered modern enough to follow your advice or is that too old?

[Boxerfan]

7. Your good...

The screw on gas cap is the clue on most models. But I guess its 20+ years back on that feature.

[SheltieLover]

4. I'd be more concerned about

Condensation in oil from all those short trips. When engine does not get hot enough to evaporate condensation, this can mess up your oil.

You can just pull oil cap, where you fill it, off & look at underneath side of cap. If you see like a puddingy-type material there, get your oil changed.

You could also opt to do a long run on a couple of hot days to evaporate the condensation. 👍

[csziggy]

13. I know it used to be recommended to take you car out on the highway every six months or so

Drive it at highway speeds for an hour or so - long enough to really get the engine good and hot.

I need to do that with my Honda Fit. I bought it new December 26, 2019 and haven't even put a thousand miles on it. I've filled the tank once since buying it - they gave it to me with a full tank.

I also do this with the 1999 GMC Suburban - go for a "Sunday drive" if we hadn't gone any distance with it for a while. Next week I have to drive downstate and I am tempted to take the Suburban just to get it out on the road. But it gets lousy mileage and I'm not sure I need that much cargo space this trip.

[SheltieLover]

14. Nice you aren't driving much either

Sounds like a good plan to get it good & hot. I'd take the Suburban. 👍

Have a great trip!

[csziggy]

15. Yeah, I don't drive that much, even without a pandemic

But the two of us have three vehicles! My husband does the most driving and has a Prius V. I don't drive much but the Honda Cit is perfect for short trips to town - and gets nearly the mileage of the Prius without the hassle of the hybrid technology. We bought the Suburban back when we were still hauling horses around. Since it has few miles for its age and it's paid for, we'll keep it for when we do need a truck. The Fit is so much easier to park than the truck - that is why I got it for myself. At the rate I put miles on, it might be the last car I ever buy!

[SheltieLover]

16. Well, it's nice to have choices.

I don't drive a lot either, especially since early March.

Well, maybe alternate the Fit & Suburban so they both get driven?

[csziggy]

17. Over the last three years it's gotten out a good bit

Between clearing my mother in law's house and my mother's house, plus moving brother in law from Panama City to Jacksonville, we've put quite a few miles on it. We will have to plan on taking it out regularly after we finish moving our stuff out of storage now that our addition is complete.

My trip into town is not long enough to really get the big 454 engine in the Suburban warmed up. And this time of year is not good with it - the air conditioning just never cools it very well on anything less than a thirty mile drive. Come fall we may take it for our Sunday drives again!

[SheltieLover]

18. Sounds as if you have been busy

Congrats on completing your addition! Sounds like your 454 will get a workout moving things out of storage. 👍

That is a beast of an engine! Years ago, I had an antique Lincoln.Towncar with a 462. Another beast. Hahaha!

I'm surprised, though, that the Suburban's AC doesn't freeze you out. The older Fords/Lincolns I'd had would literally blow ice chunks out of the AC vents. And I loved it. 👍

[AmyStrange]

8. There's also something called gas-be-good that unfortunately...

-

you can only use while the car is running down the road at full speed.

They had to recall it after 153 people got run over by their own cars while trying to use it, but you might get lucky and find someone who still has a can.

Just bustin' your chops, but good luck with your problem.
=============

[Phoenix61]

9. Your car will be fine. Don't worry about it.

Don’t need to add anything to the gas tank. Gas you purchase has all the additives your car needs.

[2naSalit]

10. If you haven't started it in years, you might be concerned...

Just add some good gas. I have two cars and I haven't put gas in one twice since April, the other is at half a tank and has been started in about a month, when I do start it, the gas will work just fine. I fire it up once in a while to keep things from drying out.

[Kali]

12. its fine

fill it with some name brand quality gas and don't worry about it

don't put weird shit in your gas tank

[Captain Zero]

19. Fill it with new gas and

get out for a nice leisure drive a few times a week. you deserve it.
After doing 3-4 leisure drives, fill it it again.
More leisure drives, top it off some more.

and then continue
getting out for a nice leisure drive a few times a week. you deserve it.

[Hotler]

20. Sta-Bil

I would only keep about a 1/2-tank of gas. Get a 3-5 gal gas can and mix the recommended amount (1/2-tank gas in gallons) of Sta-Bil with gas and mix and put it in the tank add rest of gas to make a 1/2-tank. It mixes better than just pouring it in at the gas cap.

You should drive your vehicle once a week for 20-30 minutes to get it good and warmed up at highway and stop and go speeds. Keeps moisture and sludge build-up from forming in the engine. A lot of short errands do more harm than long highway trips.

My 2-cents