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golfknut's avatar
golfknut
Explorer
Oct 08, 2013

Car parked at home while gone

Has anyone found a need to add fuel stabilizer (ie. Sta-bil) to the fuel system of any vehicles left parked at home while gone three months over the winter?

I know fuels are better these days and was wondering if they are stable enough to not cause any issues if left as is for 3 months.

56 Replies

  • I'm sure that in SW Michigan the gas has ethanol in it, so the OP would probably be wise to both make sure the tank is full and has stabilizer in it, just to insure there are no surprises. A partially full tank is going to draw moisture, as will gas with ethanol, so you want if really full to minimize that. And stabilizer is cheap, a LOT cheaper than calling the tow truck.
  • The motors in your car can handle fuel that sits way better than a small engine like in a generator or say lawn mower. I had left fuel in my house generator for a year (about 8 gallons) and just siphoned it into my car and it drove fine. If your going to do anything fill the tank with super before you leave. For three months your battery should be fine.
  • Nope. As my parents aged, they left their 1991 Ford-based gasser motorhome parked for months at a time. As long as the batteries were charged it would fire right up. Now the generator was another matter. When it came time to sell it, the carb float in the gen was sticking and it would not start without tapping on the carb bowl. We put some additives in the tank and let it run and run. Eventually it would start without assistance and we avoided a carb overhaul.
  • If they have ethanol in the gas like here in Maryland You better if not don't worry about it. I like Gas Shok.
  • I don't know if I need to do it or not. I do add fuel stabilizer and a battery tender to the car before I leave for the winter.

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