HOW LONG DOES GASOLINE LAST?

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• Gasoline is a fuel made from crude oil and other petroleum liquids. Gasoline is mainly used in vehicle engines. Petroleum refineries and blending facilities produce finished motor gasoline for retail sale at gasoline fueling stations. Petroleum refineries mostly produce gasoline blending components called gasoline blend stocks, which require blending...

• Gasoline lasts 3 to 6 months Though it naturally degrades and loses combustibility over time due to oxidation and evaporation of its volatile compounds, gasoline usually lasts 3 to 6 months when properly stored in a tightly sealed gas can or metal tank that’s within the capacity limits recommended by your local fire department (usually no more than 5 gallons). 

The gas tank of your vehicle is designed to hold and supply gasoline to the engine. However, under certain circumstances, water can find its way into this storage system. The intrusion of water into your gas tank can lead to a host of problems, ranging from poor performance to engine damage.

The most common way water gets into a gas tank is through condensation. This typically occurs when your vehicle experiences significant temperature fluctuations. For instance, in the heat of the day, the air inside your gas tank can warm up, and when the temperature drops at night, this warm air cools down and forms condensation on the walls of the tank.

If you often keep your fuel level low, there’s more space for air, which increases the risk of condensation. These droplets of water can accumulate and settle at the bottom of your gas tank, as water is denser than gasoline.

Faulty or degraded seals on your gas cap or fuel system can also allow water to seep into your gas tank. These seals are designed to prevent external contaminants from infiltrating the fuel system. Over time, however, these seals may degrade due to wear and tear, damage, or poor maintenance, allowing water from rain, snow, or other sources to leak into your gas tank.

The problem may begin at the source: the gas station. Fuel storage tanks are usually underground, where they can also be susceptible to water leakage. If these tanks are damaged or not well maintained, water may seep into them, contaminating the fuel. When you fill up at such a station, you may end up pumping water-contaminated gasoline into your vehicle’s gas tank.

This typically happens when the vehicle is parked in a flooded area or driven through a deep puddle or flooded roadway. If the gas cap is submerged, and the seals are not watertight, water can easily infiltrate your fuel system.

If you store gasoline in a can or tank before use, improper handling and storage can lead to water contamination. This can occur due to condensation within the storage can or if the container is not sealed properly, allowing rain or snow to get inside.