I use about a tank of gas a month. I get 93 at Costco but it has ethanol in it. Does anyone use a stabilizer in their gas? Would only using a tank of month need it? Where I live Costco is closest and best deal around but I wonder about the ethanol content in it. Just curious about others thoughts.

 

I would only use it if the car (tank) would be parked for longer than a month or two, and at that the Sta-Bil Ethanol Treatment. If you hibernate your car for the Winter, yes by all means fill the tank and drop a bottle of conventional Sta-Bil.

Costco gas may be good but no one knows which gas additives contains. There are brands with great/essential additives (Chevron, Shell, Union76), no-name suppliers meet the gas standard but may lack significantly on additive quality. Which one does Costco sell? Few know.

 

I've never used it, even when it's parked for months. Never felt the need for it.

 

Sealed auto tanks don't need it. True ethanol danger is that it's hygroscopic -- it pulls moisture from the air into the solution. The moisture creates a gooey layer with the ethanol.

In vented boat tanks, this is a serious issue. In cars, it is not.

Fuel easily stays fresh for a few months. If anything, keep the tank as full as possible. It helps ever so slightly.

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You definitely don't need it for month old fuel. If you are planning on storing your car for 3+ months, I'd consider it.

Before long-term storage, keep the tank full and use ISO-HEET (not the normal stuff as it doesn't adequately mix with gasoline). At least, that is what I've done.

 

Note:
Put it in before filling up and go for a short spin so it's well mixed and run through the whole fuel system.

 

Funny thing, I was filling up at Costco this summer when I noticed a 997 GT3RS in line. This is the Kirkland Costco, its huge, he was too far away to talk. But when I saw him going into the store I jokingly said you're filling your GT3RS at Costco? He winds up telling me he's been doing it a while now, ran it in his 996 GT3 before this, that he looked into it and found the Costco gas is very high quality. Which should really be no surprise, the Kirkland brand stuff usually is.

As for ethanol, yes it is better if you can avoid it. But my take on it is the majority of problems are in cars designed before ethanol became common. From probably around the time of the 996 onwards (if not before) Porsche switched to materials and designs intended to be used with ethanol. For that matter, my 79 SC has been like everyone else stuck running ethanol for many years. It often sits for months at a time. I've never used Stabil or anything else in it, and after 20 years and well over 100,000 miles have yet to notice any problems. Aside from it being yet another example of government run amok it is simply no longer a car concern in my book.

Government run amok, whole different story.

 

Although I still only fill up at Shell, Costco has been offering "top tier" gas for sometime now. I would imagine it is every bit as good as Shell, Chevron, etc. with robust detergent package and what not.

For me, waiting in the frequently long Costco gas lines, idling for 20+ minutes, only to save $0.10-$0.15 a gallon doesn't make much sense when there is a shell 0.25 miles from where I live. Also, still haven't gotten over the mental hurdle of filling up anything but my beater (or wife's Honda Pilot) at Costco.

 

There should be a specific year, surly one of ya'll can say for sure 2002?03?04? maybe even later or sooner, that zee Germans went to "ethanol safe" hoses, filter, fittings and pumps for USA sales. All other years ARE AT RISK OF DAMAGE, however slight from ethanol use. Ive been sold on this stuff for many years, it has saved our boats, project cars and their gas from multi-year droughts. No start trouble with old gas or flecks of hose in the fuel filter. A must for any classic cars that haven't been updated, IMO.

 

Nothing can cure this ethanol problem, which does not affect cars: It's hygroscopic.

What does that mean? No product can undo stupid: Keep your tank as full as possible and keep the darn cap on.

 

You don't need fuel stabilizer for one month old gas.

I use StaBil during my 5 month winter hibernations.

When I was testing alcohol levels in fuel a few years back, the ranges were 5-8%. Never saw anything above 8%. I figured the fine potential was too great and they make sure there're well below the 10. And/or alcohol actually costs more than fuel, and they do it to control costs.

Winter gas was most always closer to 5%.

Summer gas was most always closer to 8%.

 

The ethanol industry wants to up the allowable amount from 10 to 15% and have been granted a partial waiver. EPA ruled that it is legal for 2001 and newer cars but not 2000 and older. Imagine the chaos at a gas station that starts selling E15 and it is the driver's responsibility to know whether their car is legal.

Porsche allows E15 in 2015 and newer but use in older cars voids warranty. Here's a table from one of the ethanol industry trade groups. dave

 

Agree with the posters that one month is really short term and requires no additive.

I used Stabil (a good product) for a while but a long time ago transitioned over to PRI Fuel Stabilizer - Gasoline as I store fuel long term for the generator, etc. I poured 3 year old gas stored with PRI Fuel Stabilizer - Gasoline into my Volvo and had zero detectable negative effects.

 

I agree with everyone that says it's not needed for a month. I stored my 914 (if you want to see it at the link below, you can. It's a cool ride), for about 4 months and used Sta-bil. Fired right up when I got home (starter problems not withstanding).

http://www.motoroso.com/531600026cae...8843520/My-914

 

Thanks to everyone. I was just curious about it. I have been using Costco in all my cars and never had problems. They also need super.