Ferox International Blog

Yes, gasoline does go stale.  This is something that most people don’t think about.  If you are planning on storage fuel, there is one important product to use to make your fuel last longer.

Gasoline’s shelf life depends on how it is stored and the type of gasoline that it is.   This shelf life can range from a couple of months to a couple of years.  The fuel that you buy at the pump has probably already been in storage for quite some time.

So, what makes gasoline go stale?  The lighter chemicals in the fuel evaporate.  This leaves behind a heavier product that contains less energy.  The longer gasoline goes unused, the better chance you have of losing the volatile components that make gasoline what it is.  Stale gasoline can lead to poorer engine performance.    Oxidation also causes fuel to go stale.  Oxidation is when some of the hydrocarbons in the fuel react with oxygen.  This reaction produces a new compound (often times weaker than the one you started with).  Oxidized fuel will often clog your engine, so it is never good to use.  Contamination is the last cause of stale gas.  Water is the most common contaminate.  Typically, water enters the gas supply during temperature changes, as condensation.  Gasoline that contains any contamination can ruin your engine so don’t use it.

Do you want/need to store fuel but also want/need it to last longer than a few months?  All you have to do is use a fuel stabilizer.  A fuel stabilizer is a fuel additive that prevents your fuel from going stale.  It prevents the lighter chemicals from evaporating, the oxidation process and contaminants from entering your gas supply.  Keep in mind that fuel stabilizers are used to keep your gas fresh.  If your gas supply has already gone stale, there is nothing you can do to revive it.  Get it right the first time, use a fuel stabilizer from the very beginning of your fuel storage.