You've got a lot to think about when it comes to the fluids in your car. Do you need to change the oil? Is the coolant too dirty to do its job? Is your windshield wiper fluid low? It can be overwhelming to keep track of (just saying, Toyota of Orlando can help you by getting you on a schedule for your car care and reminding you when you're due). However, we're adding one more thing to your list - gasoline.
- Regular gasoline is good for 3-6 months before it starts to degrade.
- Diesel has a longer shelf life - it's typically good for up to a year before it starts any degradation.
- Ethanol has a shorter shelf life, however - because of oxidation and evaporation, it can start to degrade after just one month.
What happens if you use bad gasoline in your car? Basically, as gasoline degrades its chemical properties start to change. When this happens, the car's engine can no longer process the gasoline. This can lead to operational problems like the car stalling, not starting at all, idling rough, or losing power when you're trying to accelerate.
How do you know if the gasoline in your Orlando Toyota has gone bad?
- The problems listed above, for starters. If your car is full of gas, has a tank full of clean oil, and is still experiencing issues like those listed above, then you may have bad gas in the tank.
- Bad gasoline will also have both a distinct look and a distinct smell. It often looks "muddy" or darker than usual and will smell sour or spoiled - not at all like regular gasoline.
- It may also make your check engine light turn on, which means you should head to Toyota of Orlando to have things checked out.
What happens if you put or have bad gasoline in your car?
If you have bad gasoline in your car, the only remedy is to remove it entirely. If left in the tank and engine, it can create a gummy residue that can cause major damage, including clogging the main fuel line. And if the gas contains ethanol, it can draw in water vapor, which can corrode and destroy components under the hood. Our Orlando Toyota specialists can help you remove the bad gasoline from your car and get up and running again.
To close things out, here are a few tips to help you NOT end up with bad gasoline in your Orlando Toyota:
- Avoid gas stations that don't seem busy. The busier the gas station, the more likely it is that they're getting routine deliveries of fresh gas and that their gas hasn't been sitting for a while.
- Make sure you drive your vehicle, even if just for a short distance. If your car is garaged for whatever reason, try to get it out on the road at least once a week just for a short while to circulate and use the gasoline in the fuel tank. This will also force you to add new, fresh fuel to the tank regularly.
- Fill up your gas tank all the way - this will prevent there being extra room in the tank for moisture and water contamination.
- Ask our Orlando Toyota service techs about fuel stabilizers, which can help prevent degradation of the fuel in your car's tank.
Schedule car care at Toyota of Orlando today
Have questions about your car's gasoline? Call Toyota of Orlando today - we're open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500.
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