Stabil Question
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 37
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From: Phillipsburg NJ
Stabil Question
I was thinking about adding Stabil since it looks like there wouldn't be any salt free roads till Spring(in the past there has always been at least one good day a month).
Would I be doing more harm than good by adding Stabil and starting the car without driving? I know many strongly advise against starting the car without driving. If so should I just get it up to operating temps?
The last time I put new fuel in the car was mid December. Thanks for your help!
Would I be doing more harm than good by adding Stabil and starting the car without driving? I know many strongly advise against starting the car without driving. If so should I just get it up to operating temps?
The last time I put new fuel in the car was mid December. Thanks for your help!
Pro
Joined: May 2004
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From: CA
Add Stabil, but don't run the engine. The small amount of poor fuel in the lines will recirculate quickly when you do start it. I never 'run' my engine in the winter. The added starting wear and possible moisture condensation in the engine out ways any need to fire it up frequently in cold weather.
Tech Contributor
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
You can't get it up to operating temps without driving it. The exhaust doesn't get hot enough to cook out the combustion moisture.
As for using Stabil I found it interesting that when I purchased my John Deere lawn tractor they recommended using fuel preservative all year round since 2 or 3 hours use once per week wasn't sufficient to prevent fuel life problems.
I would recommend driving the car even with salt covered roads. When the roads are dry there can be a fair amount of salt dust but I have found it doesn't hurt the car. With my 2 C5s over the last 11.5 years I have never seen any metal damage due to driving on dry salty roads. My 03Z which I track has been driven every month of every year since I purchased it in 03. I usually put at least 500 miles on the car during the winter time. I spend a fair amount of time under the car doing preventative maintenance and track prep. Other than being dirty the metal parts of the body and chassis are in great shape.
Bill
As for using Stabil I found it interesting that when I purchased my John Deere lawn tractor they recommended using fuel preservative all year round since 2 or 3 hours use once per week wasn't sufficient to prevent fuel life problems.
I would recommend driving the car even with salt covered roads. When the roads are dry there can be a fair amount of salt dust but I have found it doesn't hurt the car. With my 2 C5s over the last 11.5 years I have never seen any metal damage due to driving on dry salty roads. My 03Z which I track has been driven every month of every year since I purchased it in 03. I usually put at least 500 miles on the car during the winter time. I spend a fair amount of time under the car doing preventative maintenance and track prep. Other than being dirty the metal parts of the body and chassis are in great shape.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Dearborn; Jan 30, 2009 at 12:00 PM.
Race Director
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From: Central Ma
Note to self, add stabil next nov/dec, regardless of ability to drive once/month.
It's not going to do any harm to add it now, but I don't know if it's going to do any good either.
I too usually can take mine out for a 20 minute drive once/month, but this year it hasn't happened. I'm not a fan of idling for 20-30 minutes.
When I add stabil, I try to add some to 1/2 tank, top it off, then add some more, drive home, and good to go until spring.
It's not going to do any harm to add it now, but I don't know if it's going to do any good either.
I too usually can take mine out for a 20 minute drive once/month, but this year it hasn't happened. I'm not a fan of idling for 20-30 minutes.
When I add stabil, I try to add some to 1/2 tank, top it off, then add some more, drive home, and good to go until spring.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Life is a game/Golf is serious. IA
Add Stabil, but don't run the engine. The small amount of poor fuel in the lines will recirculate quickly when you do start it. I never 'run' my engine in the winter. The added starting wear and possible moisture condensation in the engine out ways any need to fire it up frequently in cold weather.
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Phillipsburg NJ
Thank You!!
Thanks for the fast responses. Guess I'll go and put some in without starting. I'm usually with the 'drive it once a month' school of thought, but it's been pretty nasty. Well...back to painting my hoodliner!!!
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Add the StaBil, but unless you plan on driving it, I wouldn't worry about starting it up every now and then. Just be sure you have a battery tender connected to the battery to keep it charged.
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Oldtimer
I've used Stabil in my car for approximately 7 years. I add Stabil and then fill the tank. If I'm not mistaken, the directions indicate that you should drive your car for a short time after adding it. I drive mine to the storage facility, which is about 6 miles from our house. I put my car into storage at the end of October and take it out the 2 or 3 week of April. I haven't experienced any problems since I started using it. 
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Safety Car
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From: Monticello MN
I've used Stabil in my car for approximately 7 years. I add Stabil and then fill the tank. If I'm not mistaken, the directions indicate that you should drive your car for a short time after adding it. I drive mine to the storage facility, which is about 6 miles from our house. I put my car into storage at the end of October and take it out the 2 or 3 week of April. I haven't experienced any problems since I started using it.
Ed
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From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
And yes, I would at least turn on the key, so that the fuel pump circulates the Stabil treated fuel through the system. And Rob, that was good old name brand Illinois gas that turned to jelly (Homer Glen between Lemont & Orland area).
Plasticman
Last edited by Plasticman; Jan 30, 2009 at 06:20 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: DFW Texas
Since I drive mine year round (yeah I know no hard long winters) I did own a Malibu wakeboard boat for 4 years. Talk about a long layup - from October to May, and religously used Stabil to the fuel and 'fogged' the engine during it's long sleep-
This information came in owners manual as a recommended procedure. As the fuel tanks were plastic, condensation is generally not a problem, when compared to aluminum or metal tanks. But during winterization, would add full bottle of Stabil attache water line run for 20 minutes, stop, drain oil, replace with new. Start again then immediately Fog the engine. Shut off and don't touch for the long hibernation.
So....why does nobody fog the cylinders during a long lay up on your car? Fogging produces very similar result to adding Seafoam - a lot of smoke and smells very 'oily'. Seems like a plan to me?
This information came in owners manual as a recommended procedure. As the fuel tanks were plastic, condensation is generally not a problem, when compared to aluminum or metal tanks. But during winterization, would add full bottle of Stabil attache water line run for 20 minutes, stop, drain oil, replace with new. Start again then immediately Fog the engine. Shut off and don't touch for the long hibernation.
So....why does nobody fog the cylinders during a long lay up on your car? Fogging produces very similar result to adding Seafoam - a lot of smoke and smells very 'oily'. Seems like a plan to me?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: North Port Fl
Stabil and other fuel preservatives are fairly cheap and won't hurt anything, but I've got to agree with Robls6. I've been storing cars, motorcycles, boats, lawn tractors, and 4 cycle lawn equipment for over 35 years and have never used Stabil or any other brand. I've never had a problem, I even had a couple of project cars that have set for a couple of years and the gas has never turned on me. You can easily tell if it has by smelling it. Since there is only a few months left before you can drive it again if you haven't put it in yet I'd wait until next year.
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From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
Stabil and other fuel preservatives are fairly cheap and won't hurt anything, but I've got to agree with Robls6. I've been storing cars, motorcycles, boats, lawn tractors, and 4 cycle lawn equipment for over 35 years and have never used Stabil or any other brand. I've never had a problem, I even had a couple of project cars that have set for a couple of years and the gas has never turned on me. You can easily tell if it has by smelling it. Since there is only a few months left before you can drive it again if you haven't put it in yet I'd wait until next year.
Do we have a couple of volunteers to do a long term study on it? 
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Gilbert AZ
I've used Stabil in my car for approximately 7 years. I add Stabil and then fill the tank. If I'm not mistaken, the directions indicate that you should drive your car for a short time after adding it. I drive mine to the storage facility, which is about 6 miles from our house. I put my car into storage at the end of October and take it out the 2 or 3 week of April. I haven't experienced any problems since I started using it.
This is the way I've done it -- no issues.