Only driving once a week: Do I need to worry that the gas in my car will go bad?

[Anonymous]

Haven't bought gas since late March since we're driving so little. Would like to avoid the gas station for as long as possible, but is there a danger that the gas currently in my tank will start going bad?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haven't bought gas since late March since we're driving so little. Would like to avoid the gas station for as long as possible, but is there a danger that the gas currently in my tank will start going bad?

As long as you have at least half a tank or more, you'll be fine. When driven infrequently, with lower amounts of fuel, sediment can accumulate at the bottom of tank and cause filter problems. Also, you can start your car even if you don't drive it anywhere/ order and add fuel stabilizer to your tank (that last one is extreme).

[Anonymous]

No.

[Anonymous]

No.

[Anonymous]

Rats though.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/30/style/rats-car-engines.html

Time to Check Your Pandemic-Abandoned Car for Rats
There might be a nest in the engine.

[Anonymous]

Oil takes millions of years to form inside of the earth. It’ll be fine sitting for six weeks in your gas tank.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rats though.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/30/style/rats-car-engines.html

Time to Check Your Pandemic-Abandoned Car for Rats
There might be a nest in the engine.

This happed to a friend’s car in Dupont Circle.

[Anonymous]

It's not milk

[Anonymous]

Once a week is actually pretty frequent in the life of a car. It's more of a problem of your battery going bad if you leave your car for several months or longer.

[Anonymous]

Do not start the car and not drive it anywhere!

Drive it around the block long enough for the temp gauge to go up at least somewhat.

[Anonymous]

If you let your car sit around for more than a week, your battery may begin to have corrosion form around the battery terminals thus causing it running issues.

Make sure to drive your car 1x/wk. to avoid this issue.
If your car will not start due to battery corrosion issues - have someone jump start your battery 🔋

[Anonymous]

Then let the car run about 45 min., then shut the vehicle off and lift the hood.

Using an old toothbrush & some warm water, carefully scrub off the corrosion dust around your battery cables.

Good as new!

[Anonymous]

How old is your car?

I have a 17 year old that must be driven at least once a week. I unfortunately let him sit too long and the battery and gas went bad. Now my three year old, the longest I’d go with it sitting is 3 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you let your car sit around for more than a week, your battery may begin to have corrosion form around the battery terminals thus causing it running issues.

Make sure to drive your car 1x/wk. to avoid this issue.
If your car will not start due to battery corrosion issues - have someone jump start your battery 🔋

+1

[Anonymous]

Drive it at least once per week more than around the block and preferably get to highway speed for a portion of that. Fill the tank when you get to half empty (gas is cheap now in any event). Will be fine.