Should Gas Tank be Full When Storing a Car?
One of the questions I come across a lot is about storing vehicles both for short periods of time and for longer periods of time. Should one fill the gas tank or should it be left empty?
While there are many factors that will help you determine whether to fill in the fuel tank to the brim, three-quarter way, or leave it empty when storing your car, experts conclude that if storing for a shorter period of 6 months or less, the fuel tank should be filled with oil. They also advise when storing a vehicle for longer periods, the tank should be left empty. There are some steps that should be taken to make sure the filled or empty gas tanks survive through the storage time.
Contents
Factors that Determine Tank Gasoline Volume When Storing a Car
- Length of time.
- Weather.
- Material of the gas tank.
- Fuel content.
Length of Time the Car Will be in Storage
The length of time for storing your car will determine if you should fill your gas tank or leave it empty. Time has a way of bringing the matter to a state of decay. When it comes to fuel, the fuel separates with time into ethanol.
Ethanol is an additive used in gasoline because it prevents the engine from emitting harmful chemicals into the environment. Ethanol also acts as an octane booster that raises the ignition point of gasoline. A higher ignition point leads to reduced engine power and increases in fuel consumption. What does ethanol have to do with car storage?
Well, with time the ethanol separates from the gasoline, and its concentration increases. Ethanol is highly corrosive, eating through any metal and plastic. It will not only affect the tank but also other components of the fuel system.
Material of the Gasoline Tank
The materials that make up the gas tank determine how gasoline and its components react with the tank over a period of time in storage. Gas tanks are made from different materials. These range from plastic gas tanks to metal fuel tanks. The plastic-based materials that are used to make fuel tanks include plastic adhesive, ethyl vinyl alcohol, HDPE, polypropylene, and regrind plastic. Metallic materials used in making gas tanks are steel, iron, or aluminum.
The plastic or metallic materials used in gas tanks react differently with the gasoline components at different heat points. Metallic materials tend to corrode faster than plastic. However metallic materials can withstand higher temperatures. When storing your car, it is good to know the materials used in your gas tank as this will determine what you should do to make sure your gas tank and fuel system survive through the storage period.
Weather in the car storage location
Weather is depended on seasons and location. It is a factor to be considered when determining whether to store your car with a gas tank full of gasoline or not. Temperature and humidity affect gasoline and also how the fuel tanks react with the gasoline components and humidity. The materials used to make gas tanks react differently at different temperatures and humidity.
Metal such as steel, aluminum, and iron can withstand higher temperatures in storage but are easily affected by humidity. This means in areas with high humidity, such as coastal areas, the gas tank will fill up with moisture from the environment if there is space. Steps should be taken to make sure that there is no space left for moist air in the tank or protective remedies to make sure that empty metallic gas tanks do not corrode if left in storage.
Plastic gasoline tanks do not corrode due to humidity but get affected by temperatures and ultraviolet rays (UV). They will expand when it is hot and contract when temperatures drop at different temperatures. UV rays bleach weakening plastic gas tanks. This affects how long they react. If left in storage, with fuel for some time, the gasoline will separate into ethanol and gasoline, with the ethanol eating into the plastic material.
Content of Gasoline Used During Storage
The contents of gasoline will affect how you store your car and what type of gasoline to use. Gasoline in the United States and other parts of the world contains a mixture of hydrocarbons. Additives are added to gasoline to assist with combustion levels, reduce engine deposits, reduce icing and reduce gum formation.
There are 3 categories of gasoline – regular gas, midgrade gas(plus gas), and premium gas. These categories have either 10% or 15% ethanol. You can also get ethanol-free gas. Ethanol-free gas is recommended if you are going to store your car with a tank full of fuel.
Should you store your car with a full or empty gas tank?
Storing your car with the gas tank full or empty depends on four factors the weather, gasoline content, duration of storage, and the material used to make the gas tanks.
For long-term storage (more than 6 months), the gas tanks should be empty due to the fact that fuel degrades and separates with time. As the gasoline separates, ethanol, one of the components of gasoline becomes more concentrated. Eventually, it eats into both plastic and metallic gas tanks. The tanks should be completely drained via the drain plug (or using a hose and siphon pump) and Empty gas tanks in storage should be sprayed. Metallic tanks should be sprayed on the inside with WD-40 or other anti-corrosion substances. Place a cover over the car to prevent UV radiation from degrading the gas tank.
For short-term storage of fewer than 6 months, store the car with the gas tank full. Add a fuel stabilizer like Sta-bil, Heet, Star Tron Enzyme, or Royal Purple max-clean. These stabilizers keep the fuel fresh by slowing down the separation of the different components of fuel. Having the tank filled to the brim prevents moisture that can lead to corrosion from collecting in the gas tank.
Storing the Car with the Gas Tank Full of Gasoline.
- Drain the tank. – drive the car until the car is low on gasoline. Drain the tank through the drain plug ((or hose and siphon pump).
- Spray the tank with an antirust agent. – Open or have the tank opened and spray the inside of the tank with anti-rust sprays, such as WD-40
- Cover the car with a UV-proof cover. – Cover the car with a full body UV resistant cover
Storing the Car with the Gas Tank without Gasoline.
- Fill the gas tank – fill the tank, leaving space for the fuel stabilizer.
- Add a fuel stabilizer – Add the fuel stabilizer at the rate of one ounce per 2 gallons of gasoline
- Cover the car with a UV-proof cover – Properly cover the car with a full body UV-resistant cover to prevent UV rays from getting to the gas tank.
Conclusion
The decision to store your car with or without gas in the tank depends on several factors. In this article, we have looked at these factors and other things you need to do to make sure that your fuel tank lasts through the storage period.