Will Gasoline Deteriorate If a Car Is Not Driven for a Month?
3 Answers
Gasoline will deteriorate if a car is not driven for a month. Here are the specific details about gasoline: 1. Composition: Gasoline is a hydrocarbon compound composed of hydrogen and carbon atoms. 2. Sulfur Content: The sulfur content in gasoline is 10mg/kg. Excessive sulfur content can clog the GPF. 3. Emissions and Anti-Knock Properties: To meet emission and anti-knock requirements, lead was added to gasoline. However, due to the toxicity of lead emissions, it has gradually been replaced. Sulfur and lead are harmful to vehicles or the environment, but they can improve gasoline stability. 4. Flammability: Gasoline is highly volatile and flammable. Gasoline vapor can ignite with just a small spark in the air. The evaporation rate mainly depends on external temperature; higher temperatures lead to faster evaporation.
I've been driving for over a decade, and leaving a car unused for a month generally won't cause severe gasoline deterioration. Modern gasoline contains many stabilizers that can withstand short periods of inactivity. However, I must remind you that in hot weather or with a half-full tank, the lighter components in gasoline may gradually evaporate, thickening the fuel slightly. This might cause engine shaking or difficulty starting when you drive again. My old car sat idle for six full weeks last winter and struggled a bit at startup, but it ran fine after refueling with fresh gasoline. I recommend filling up the tank before parking, sealing the fuel cap tightly to minimize air exposure, and preventing oxidation and moisture contamination. For longer storage periods or particularly humid environments, using a bottle of fuel stabilizer is safer—it only costs a few dozen yuan and can prevent fuel line clogs. Remember, taking the car for an occasional short drive within a month helps keep the fuel pump lubricated and avoids issues. Don't overreact, but don't overlook the details either.
As a parent who frequently drives kids to and from school, I don't think gasoline will cause major issues if the car sits for a month, but it's safer to pay attention to maintenance. Gasoline itself has a shelf life of several months, so short-term parking has minimal impact. However, if the fuel tank is mostly empty, air entering can accelerate oxidation, and over time the fuel may thicken, potentially causing carbon buildup in the fuel injectors. My family car sat for five weeks last summer vacation, and when restarted, the engine sounded a bit sluggish, but it was fine after refueling. It's best to fill up or keep the tank at least half full before parking to minimize fuel exposure to air; extra caution is needed in humid environments, like garages with heavy moisture, as this can lead to water absorption and increased risks. Here's a tip I can share: start the engine for a few minutes to warm it up and circulate the fuel within a month; or use simple tools to monitor the fuel's color—if it appears dark or has an odd smell, replace it. Prevention is better than repair, so don't let small oversights cause trouble.
