Wagon Master

How many of you use a Stabilizer in your fuel tank when storing your Vette?

Patman

It's really not needed if you're only storing it for 3-4 months, as gas will not go bad in that short of a time. I've stored many cars in the winter for that period of time and have never put in fuel stabilizer and have never had a problem. Just make sure the tank is full (to prevent condensation) and then when you bring it out from it's slumber, keep topping it up with fresh fuel frequently for the first few hundred miles.

Wagon Master

Thanks for the advise...

Thunder22

A bottle of sta-bil costs what? $5? Why not throw it in and not take the risk.

-CM-

I don't store my C7, but I use Stabil in my RV to ensure the fuel doesn't varnish in the generator's carburetor. If I did store the Vette, I would use Stabil in it, also, being sure to run it through the whole system.

Woodson

I put it in all my engines for the winter. Except the Stingray since it will get driven nearly every day.

Glen e

I agree..... i heard a while ago gas starts seperating and decreasing octane after 21 days....stabil is just common sense....

Highway 61

No, because I use non oxygenated fuel.

Patman

In my case, I guess I just hate spending money when I feel it's not needed, even if it's just $5 (and I think Stabil is probably double that price up here). I use non ethanol fuel (Shell premium up here and Costco premium both use no ethanol) so that helps a bit, but I've stored cars in the past with ethanol enhanced fuel and had zero problems. The roads are cold when I first bring the car out in the spring, so I don't push it too hard for the first few drives anyhow, so even if the gas has lost a few octane points it isn't a cause for concern for me.

Fuel stabilizer is really more necessary for small engines that might be running the same tank of gasoline for a year, not for a short period like 3 or 4 months. Think about how many used cars (and new cars for that matter) that sit on a lot for longer than that with the same fuel in them and the fuel doesn't go all gummy.

LIStingray

With non-ethanol fuel, stabilizer isn't needed.
With E10, it does help prevent phase separation.
If you have a climate controlled garage, keeping it near empty is better than full as it is less to go bad, and if it is a constant temperature condensation is not an issue.

CruznCorvette

The CEO of the company I work for is a car collector, he currently has 50 cars with the oldest being 1956 up to 2012 Rolls Royce. He puts Seafoam in all of his cars when being stored for more than 3 months.

I use Seafoam in my vehicles as well. Also use it in the lawnmower, trimmer and leafblower. They start right up come spring with fresh gas. No issues.

It's cheap insurance.

Larry/car

If you have a garage with a constant temperature condensation isn't a problem and I recommend a fuel level of about 1/2 tank. When you place the vehicle back in service fill the tank adding fresh fuel. I have not had any problem with E10 fuel.

rdrnr

I would definitely use Sta bil or Seafoam.

dvilin

Been storing Vettes, Porsches, and other toys for many years over the Winter months and have never used any stabilizer. No problems but as someone mentioned it is cheap enough and if it gives you piece of mind then I guess there is no harm in using it.

docf

With the current ethanol at 10% you would be foolish not to use it. With the new Stabilizer made for current fuel no need to top the tank.

pastohio

I have used marvel's mystery oil for years, same ratio that Stabil uses...my $.02

RickMN

When I first saw the title of this thread, I thought to myself "why would anyone want to store such a fun to drive car for months at a time?"

I'm more concerned about "storing" my other vehicle that I wasn't driving. Even over the Minnesota winter, my 4x4 Silverado sat in the garage for a few stints of 2 and 3 weeks where we did not have any significant active snowfall.

JoesC5

No, but I only use ethanol free gasoline. Check Pure-gas.org to see if a retailer near you sells ethanol free gasoline.

Patman

Last winter I stored my Corvette with 3/4 of a tank of gas, as I figured it was high enough to avoid condensation, but gave enough room to top it up with a tiny bit of fresh fuel on the first drive.

I do worry a little bit about the temperature of my garage though. It's well insulated as it's completely surrounded with no walls exposed to the outside elements, and stays above the freezing mark even without any heat source. However, the garage door does get opened for short periods of time, to take out the garbage or bring out the snow shovels for instance. So I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable storing it with an almost empty tank, but I might try 1/2 tank this season. I just wish spring would hurry up and arrive, I haven't even stored my car yet but I'm already dreading what's sure to be a very long winter season again I envy those that live in Florida or other warm states that never need to put their cars away.

Thunder22

$70k car and we're debating the purchase of a $10 fuel additive.