I've got a bit of a dilemma: my pcar hasn't been used very much since Thanksgiving due to the weather (joys of living in the US NE), and I'm wondering what I should do to prevent the mostly full fuel tank from going bad. I'm considering adding STA-BIL to the tank, but was wondering what others have used or is recommended for our cars.

NOTE: The car has a 10% ethanol blend in it atm (93 octane), and I don't know how that effects things like the fuel lines.

- Thanks

 

I left my car garaged with a full tank of gas for a month or two since ny weather isnt pretty in jan-feb car runs just fine. im not sure if gas would go bad that fast unless it was left in the car for a 6months to a year. IMO

 

I still drive it every day....the weather is tooooo bad.

 

I've used Sta-bil for years. No issues that I am aware of...Car starts right up and goes fine in the spring. Typically it is stored between November-March.

 

For peace of Mind try it. If your tank is full dump in 200nm and have the car running when addin air into your tires (to storage levels).

Personally I use it for storage but I've never heard of 911 owners personally who have had issues (when not using it)

 

1. Drive it!
2. If you just can't - use Sta-bil. Works great and will have no effect other than preserving the gas longer.

 

Trust me guys I wish I could, but in Jersey they use too much salt and up in NY they throw so much sand (really dirt) down on the roads that it chews the paint up even with the full 3M bra and stone guards! The commute home used to be the most fun part of my day, now I'll just wait until the spring rains wash the crud off the road.

I'm gonna try the sta-bil, at worst I'm only out a couple of $.

 

Sixgun where you from?

 

If the gas sits in the tank long enough the gas will go stale regardless.

How long is long enough? Well, 6 months based on my experience with an Infiniti belong to a family member. The vehicle sat almost completely unused from Jan to July. I picked up the car in July and drove it for around 2 weeks. The first few days the engine felt rather flat, but being unfamiliar with the car I just thought that was the way the car was. But when the tank got low and I filled the tank with fresh 91 octane gasoline the transformation of the engine was notable. The old gas was really stale.

Stale to be sure but the engine fired right up with this stale gas, idled just fine and otherwise ran ok with no untoward behavior (backfires, bucking, etc.).

I'd not make a habit of letting a car sit around 6 months with the same gas in the tank but 3 months should not be a big problem.

BTW, the label on the pump says "10%" ethanol but refiners have held back to only putting in 7% to 8%.

The ethanol can stratify but as soon as the key is turned on the pump agitates the fuel in the tank and the stratification is gone. In the fuel lines as soon as the injectors start working and fuel flows the flow will remove any stratification.

 

Left coast now, NY many years ago.

 

Ahhh must be niceeeee lol im sure you miss ny

 

I basically store my car during the winter. I have used Sta-bil for a few years but have not used it last winter or this winter. Gasoline is more stable in winter than summer so I think there is no real need for it for the 3-4 months I store the car. I also think it will do no harm. I have used it at the recommended level and at 50% of the rate as well. I also used to pump up the tires as well. I do not do that either anymore will no ill effects. I believe this is more an issue with some racing compounds. Finally, during the winter, if above 40F and the roads are dry and free from salt, I will take it out and get the oil over 200F for an hour. Then it's back in the garage with the cover and tender ( mouse traps as well).

 

I put Sta-bil in every fall, run the car for a few minutes and then park it. Typically from November through late March. I've used it with cars and power equipment and its always worked fine. I also pump up the tires to 50 PSI to prevent flat spots.

 

Sta bil is OK, but there is stuff that works better with the new blends of fuel.
StarTron is one and Seafoam is the other.

 

Just bought a 32 oz. bottle of StaBil Ethanol/Performance treatment for regular use. It says on the bottle it also helps with keeping the gas fresh during periods of storage.
Was using the Marine treatment, probably the same stuff. Car (3.6) runs great but don't know if the StaBil helps or not. I figure it can't hurt, been using it for long time in cars and small engines that sit out the seasons. If it can help out the P car in any way, I'm in. Does not contain alcohol,btw.