Fuel System: Summer vs winter gas for stored cars?

[Jeff_H]

So, got to musing this morning about gas in stored cars....

Summer gas is supposed to have less volatiles in it so as not to evaporate as fast in the hotter weather as compared to winter gas. One article I read claimed summer gas was more "pure" than winter due to less additives (put in the winter gas to make it evaporate easier in the cold).

That would seem to be better for long term storage even in the winter would it not?

Assuming non-ethanol gas here, and use of stabil, is summer gas really better than winter gas for storage or are there other additives that would matter for the gas going stale faster? I recall a thread here a while back about how stabil works by reacting with free radicals in the gas retard those from degrading the fuel.

just some thoughts.

[63 R2 Hawk]

The best "winter storage" gas you can get is avgas. It is very stable and won't break down for over a year. If you don't have access to avgas, find a place that sells non-ethanol gas. Or if you can afford it, race gas. Stabil and similar products will work if you have no other options, but don't expect miracles.

[Skip Lackie]

Jeff-
Am not an expert, but I have read the same things about summer-vs-winter blends -- summer evaporates much more slowly, and of course, non-ethanol would be better, too. I have used Stabil, but have no way of knowing whether it;s really helping or not. For a few bucks, cheap insurance.

[Buzzard]

Living in the BC wilderness, I have lots of small engines (chainsaws, generators etc.) as well as seldom used vehicles for all sorts of purposes (woodsplitter, woodchipper powered by a 350 Camaro V8) and I try to drain all the fuel late fall and run them out of fuel for the winter. With the addition of fresh, non-ethanol premium fuel in the spring, I have very little running issues. I've tried the Stbil & others but cannot really tell any difference other than my wallet being lighter. It seems that not leaving fuel in the fuel bowls is my answer.
Bill

[rodnutrandy]

I have a question also on gas , If cold air is so good for your motor , why does gas mileage suck in winter ? Example , my Jeep gets average 16.5 in summer ( lots of short trips ) and 14.5 in winter, Jeep sets in heated garage , so bearings ect. , aren't cold , If cold air was so good for motor , why don't you see improvement in winter ? ( I know it is denser air )

[BobWaitz]

I am fortunate in that the gas station around the corner from me has non-oxy premium on tap. I use only that in my M5, my snow blower, and lawn mower. It's 50 cents a gallon more than regular but worth every penny.

Several times a year the MSRA (Minnesota Street Rod Association), in their newsletter, publishes a list of all the gas stations in Minnesota that have non-oxy gas. This is very handy when you are heading out of town to a show. I'd check with the local or state-wide hot rod clubs in your area to see if they do the same.

As a side-note, I should mention that Pemex (Mexican) gas is the best you will ever have. During our ill-fated Baja 1000 attempt we filled up a small Honda 250 with gas from a Pemex in Ensenada. Two years later the owner took the bike to a guy to have the fork seals replaced. The bike hadn't been run since then. The mechanic called me up and asked if we had filled that up in Mexico. He was sure we had because the carb was clean as a whistle with no deposits and the gas in the tank was still good to go.

[StudeRich]

I have a question also on gas , If cold air is so good for your motor , why does gas mileage suck in winter ? Example , my Jeep gets average 16.5 in summer ( lots of short trips ) and 14.5 in winter, Jeep sets in heated garage , so bearings ect. , aren't cold , If cold air was so good for motor, why don't you see improvement in winter ? ( I know it is denser air )

In Winter you run longer with the CHOKE on and it runs richer, and then there is the Oxygenized Winter Gas.

[jnormanh]

If you'r not going to run it at all for several months, run it until almost out of gas, then add a few ounces of two stroke oil and run it dry. In the spring fill it with fresh gas and go.