Can Gasoline Go Stale? Check Out These Facts

You might have heard that gasoline can become stale. It’s a mystery that has puzzled vehicle owners for years. Most people are wondering what stale gasoline really is.

Can gasoline be expired like food or drinks? Why does it go stale? How does stale gasoline affect your vehicle?

Facts about Stale Gasoline

It’s best to choose only the best gasoline for your vehicles. This way, you can maintain the engine’s performance and boost its torque.

Each vehicle manufacturer sets fuel octane ratings according to the engine characteristics.

For example, an LCGC should use gasoline with a minimum of 90-octane (RON 90). Cars with large-capacity engines and turbo engines are highly recommended to use gasoline with an octane over 92.

However, the quality of gasoline with octane ratings can go down. It leads to stale gasoline.  The octane rating decreased when the gasoline is contaminated by air or other liquids when a car is not used for too long.

There are several factors behind stale gasoline. It has a bad effect on the engine’s performance because sediment in the gas tank can produce dirt, which can make it hard for combustion to take place in the engine.

Causes of Stale Gasoline

Stale gasoline happens when a vehicle is parked for too long and its engine is not warmed up. According to cnnindonesia.com, gasoline quality decreases when a car is parked for at least 6 months.

This leads to contamination of the gasoline’s chemical contents by metal substances in the tank, resulting in sediment and dirt. So, it’s hard for the gasoline to flow into the combustion chamber.

Leaving your vehicle with its half-filled tank can also be one of the causes. When the engine is off, the gasoline does not flow, causing it to be contaminated by air and evaporate.

When your vehicle is not used for months, fill up the fuel tank or leave it empty so the air cannot enter and contaminate the gasoline.

Bad Impacts of Stale Gasoline

Stale gasoline in the tank can have a negative impact. The lower quality of gasoline and the sediment of dirt make it hard for fuel to flow. As a result, your vehicle loses power.

The weather can also impact the gas tank negatively. At night before morning, moisture is often formed in the tank, which can lead to damage and corrosion.

How To Avoid Stale Gasoline

Considering the bad impacts, you should pay more attention to the gasoline quality to maintain the performance of your car’s engine in the long run. Follow these tips to avoid stale gasoline:

• Fill up the gas tank to avoid condensation, which can lower the gasoline quality.
• Don’t park your vehicle for too long. When your car is not used, switch on the engine to warm it up at least once in two or three days.
• Avoid parking your car in the scorching sun because it can lead to a high temperature in the tank.

Now you understand that gasoline often goes stale in vehicles. It might seem insignificant, but is not one to be underestimated.

Maintain your car regularly, particularly if its parts seem to be damaged. However, if you have no time to do it, you can try monthly car rental for your convenience.

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