Can I add fuel stabilizer to old gas?
Fuel stabilizers can't restore old gas to its original quality. Old gas has degraded and lost some of the chemicals that gave it the ability to combust. Unfortunately, these chemicals can't be added back with a fuel stabilizer.
“Fuel stabilizer can't reverse the chemicals of bad gas,” Brannon says. Even so, adding stabilizer late in the game can at least stop it from deteriorating further than it already has, he says.
A 10-ounce bottle of stabilizer will keep 25 gallons of gasoline fresh for a whole year. If you double the dosage, it can stay fresh for up to two years. So don't skimp on the fuel stabilizer and you'll have nothing to worry about.
In almost every case, old gas is not an issue. Gas that sits does slowly go bad. However, gas that sits, even for a few months can be redeemed by topping off the tank with fresh gas. When the fresh gas mixes with the older gas, the motor will operate properly.
A: Yes, STA-BIL Storage works well in any equipment that uses regular gasoline and in 2-cycle mixes. It can be added to the fuel prior to mixing or to the mix itself.
Star Tron's Enzyme Fuel Treatment is the top pick because it is specially formulated to eliminate and prevent ethanol fuel problems. The enzyme technology helps break down water and sludge and prevent phase separation. It works well as a fuel additive for regular use and will stabilize gasoline for up to two years.
Everyone advises that you should add a stabilizer to gas as soon as you purchase gasoline. They are all adamant that no additive will restore old gasoline. The best you can hope for is that adding a stabilizer to old gas will stop any further degradation.
Gasoline can last between three months and three years depending on the type of gas and if it is properly stored. It's important to note while all gas will naturally begin to degrade over time thanks to exposure to oxygen (also known as oxidation), all gas is not created equal.
The only way to get rid of a microbial problem is to treat your car with a biocide. This will kill the microbes, though you will need to change the fuel filter afterwards because the dead microbes will need to be filtered out by the filter.
The shelf life of all STA-BIL brand products is 2 years after the bottle has been opened, provided it has been tightly capped and stored in a cool, dry place. It will not harm anything if you use an old bottle of STA-BIL brand, it just may not be as effective.
When should you use gasoline stabilizer?
If you have a car that you only rarely drive, or even one you keep in storage for months at a time, you should add fuel stabilizer to the tank in order to keep the gas from going bad.
References
- https://www.sta-bil.co.uk/pages/faqs
- https://www.thedrive.com/reviews/28046/best-fuel-stabilizers
- https://www.goldeagle.com/tips-tools/fuel-stabilizer-cars-need-use/
- https://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/stories/6-How-to-Safely-Stockpile-Emergency-Gasoline.html
- https://www.homedepot.com/p/questions/Sta-Bil-Storage-Fuel-Stabilizer-8-oz-Treats-20-Gallons-of-Fuel-22208/100123778/1
- https://roadscholars.com/gasoline-the-good-news-the-bad-news-and-the-ugly-news/
- https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/do-you-need-to-worry-about-old-gas-in-your-cars-tank/
- https://www.consumerreports.org/car-maintenance/how-to-keep-gas-fresh-and-protect-car-during-coronavirus-a2057372487/
- https://www.bellperformance.com/blog/how-to-fix-bad-gas-in-a-car
- https://veloce-vault.com/news/how-long-can-gasoline-sit/