Conserve gas this winter

You may be surprised to know that just like your favorite food gasoline has an expiration date too, and an even shorter one in the colder winter months. The main reason for your car’s gas going “bad” is air. You may think that your Orlando Toyota's fuel system is airtight, but it isn’t. That being said, when gasoline sits in the fuel tank during long term car storage it becomes polluted by air which leads to oxidation and corrosion of your fuel. But no need to worry, now that you’re aware of this car maintenance problem, Toyota of Orlando is here to let you in on the secret to prolonging your gas’ quality this winter. 

Typically, your gas will have a shelf-life of 30 days. After this allotted time, your gas begins to oxidize and gunk up from the varnish created by the air. These deposits mess up the performance of any part of your fuel system that it can get to. Therefore, the quickest and easiest solution to this car maintenance problem is a simple additive, a fuel stabilizer.

Affordable winter car maintenance

A fuel stabilizer will extend the quality of your gasoline for about a year. What’s even better is that this additive is super easy to use. The only difficult part about this is remembering to regularly use it. That’s why our Toyota of Orlando service techs recommend setting reminders for yourself to do this whether that be in a planner or on your phone.

So now that you’re in on this car maintenance secret, let’s learn how to use it.

Step 1: Pour

Before pouring, consult the instructions on the fuel stabilizer bottle to ensure you pour the correct amount to treat your fuel tank. According to our service techs, this additive performs best when your tank is not completely full and the gas inside is not already spoiled.

Step 2: Top Off

After you pour in the additive be sure to fill the rest of your tank with new fuel. The mixture of fresh gasoline and stabilizer will help get rid of any spoiled gas that might still be in your tank and increase your fuel efficiency. Furthermore, topping off your tank will leave less space for air and water to sneak its way in thus preventing oxidation and corrosion.

Step 3: Turn On

You’re almost done! Now it’s time to turn on your engine. Typically, you will need to run it for five to ten minutes, but there will be a run-time specified on your bottle of stabilizer. Running the engine ensures that your fuel stabilizer has purified not only your gas tank but all of the other parts of your engine and fuel system. 

An easy winter with Toyota of Orlando

So if you’re putting that convertible into hibernation for the winter make sure to add your fuel stabilizer first! If you have any more car maintenance questions or want us to help you prepare your car for winter, stop by our Orlando service center today! We are always running service specials to get you the service you need at a price you deserve! We’re open seven days a week and just a quick stop off I-4 near the Milennia Mall. See you soon!