is it safe to use 6 month old gas?

[Tony986]

Hi guys,

I see alot of other posts from mid-westerners screwed by the long winter season this year : )

When the early winter came I had to put up the '04 - S much too early. It was stored with more than 3/4 of the gas tank full. I did not put in any stabilizer to make matters worse.

Is it ok to drive it with this old gas or should I drain the tank and fill it up with new gas? A local Firestone agreed to dispose of the old fuel.

What do you guys think?

Thanks all!

[racer_d]

If your gas has any ethanol content (near me, its 10% ethanol) you will want to be a bit cautious. Draining a tank can be a bit laborious. I would recommend a couple cans of "heet" or "dry gas" to absorb any moisture (and ethanol attracts water) to dry it up. I would drive a bit carefully untill the tank is used up., perhaps mixing with "fesh" premium along the way. Could be you will notice nothing.

* remember what you paid for, for this free advice

[Dr. Kill]

Racer D sounds like he knows more about this than I do, however if were me, I would drain it.

My understanding is that you don't want to leave gas in your tank for more than one month. Since it has been in there for 6 months, I would just get rid of it. Yes, it might be a pain, but it seems like with these cars, people are rewarded for being a bit anal with regards to maintenance issues.

[CT986S]

If the Firestone guys really do drain it without hurting the sender/float/whatever and do not charge much, I think I'd have them do it just for the piece of mind. Of course cynic that I am I'd watch the process...
Good luck - and remember what racer_d said: this is free advice!!

When my car is stored for winter, I use Sta-Bil in a very-very tank.

If I were in your situation, I would drain it too. Can't you just use some rubber tubbing, and drain it out? Try to get 10-12 gallons out. Have 5 gallons of fresh gas to add back. Then go to the nearest gas station ASAP for a fill-up.

Take a good road trip 300-400 miles and use up that fuel too. Then another tank full of fresh gas.

If you notice any problems, use a can of Chevron fuel cleaner with Techron. Do an oil change after the gas treatment.

Oh, I would add a gallon at a time of the 6-month old gas to your daily driving family mobil, as long as it has a near full tank. I really don't think one gallon of "old" gas to 18-22 gallons of freash gas will hurt things much.

Hate to throw away $4.00 per gallon fuel.

Home Depot has nice red 5-gallon plastic gas cans for about $8.00.