Fuel Filling Strategy For a Car That Rarely Gets Driven

The car in question is a GT500, not that it matters.

Due to various factors, one being I have an "outlaw" car, meaning it doesn't pass State emissions, so I only drive it on a very limited, but extremely fun manner. It is still registered and insured, as your emissions test is not tied to your registration. I typically take it out on a 10 mile loop in the country, at least once a month, during driving season. Fully enjoy every mile I put on the car, but want to keep the miles low at the same time.

I filled up the first week of December, 2017. I am down to about a quarter of a tank, having put about 80 miles on it this year. I filled up with 93 Shell V Power, and the recommended amount of Sta-Bil. I don't drive the car hard, just normal driving, because I know gasoline degrades over time.

I've always been told, to fill the tank up prior to winter, because winter here lasts about 6 months (November through late April), to help keep moisture out. The problem is, I don't drive the car enough to really burn through the gas, in a timely manner.

Would I better off, during driving season, to only put 5 gallons in at a time, versus filling it up, so I always have fresh gas? I really see filling up now, lasting me until December, but I'm sure the gas would get stale between now and December. Over winter, I'm assuming it's better to have the tank full, but it limits how hard I can drive the car, the following spring/early summer.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

I think the answer to your question depends on where you're located and your storage/garage arrangement. Like you, I was always told to store a car with a full tank of gas to prevent condensation buildup. Trouble is, fuel degradation over time leaves you with a full tank you need to baby your way through.

Since I live in what amounts to a high-altitude desert and my car stays in a (somewhat) climate-controlled garage, I decided condensation is less of a problem than stale gas. I, therefore, run mine down to about 1/4 tank before storing it for the winter. The remaining gas gets an extra dose of Star Tron, which I run in every tank for good measure. Come spring, I need only baby a few gallons out of it before filling-up with fresh gas.

Assuming your climate and storage situation permit it, I recommend smaller doses of fresh gas.

Thanks for the reply. I live in a typical northern 4 season climate. Summers are in the 80s and 90s, humid; and winters are cold (as low as -10F) and snowy. My garage is not heated, or climate controlled. Your typical attached two car garage.

Does yer gas have any ethanol in it?

Yes, warning stickers on the gas pumps say, up to 10 percent.

Interestingly, a local station has started selling non ethanol gas, for about $0.50 more a gallon, but its only 89. Wish they sold it like that in 93 octane, I'd buy it all the time.

Norton said:

Assuming your climate and storage situation permit it, I recommend smaller doses of fresh gas.

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Do you mean that for the driving season only, or all the time, including winter storage?

ShelbyGT5HUN said:

Yes, warning stickers on the gas pumps say, up to 10 percent.

Interestingly, a local station has started selling non ethanol gas, for about $0.50 more a gallon, but its only 89. Wish they sold it like that in 93 octane, I'd buy it all the time.

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Ethanol is hygroscopic...it attracts moisture. I try to avoid ethanol whenever possible. If you research storing gas that is part ethanol you'll get differing opinions on full vs. empty tanks, and that depends on temps also.

Personally, I fill my tank with a non-ethanol high octane and add a can of Seafoam before I put it away for about 6 months every Winter.

ShelbyGT5HUN said:

Do you mean that for the driving season only, or all the time, including winter storage?

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Assuming OP's climate and storage situation permit it, all the time.

Get non-ethanol fuel.

Unleaded, nonethanol race fuel. I have a local place called Oil and Octane that sells 95 octane fuel for 5.00 a gallon. As little as you drive, that's what I'd run.