The Shelf Life of Fuel
Regular gasoline has a shelf life of three to six months, while diesel can last up to a year before it begins to degrade. On the other hand, organic-based Ethanol can lose its combustibility in just one to three months due to oxidation and evaporation.
Is 10 year old gas still good?
In almost every case, old gas is not an issue. Gas that sits does slowly go bad. However, gas that sits, even for a few months can be redeemed by topping off the tank with fresh gas. When the fresh gas mixes with the older gas, the motor will operate properly.
How can you tell if fuel is bad?
Symptoms of bad gas include:
- Difficulty starting up.
- Rough idling.
- Pinging sounds.
- Stalling.
- Check engine light illumination.
- Reduced fuel economy.
- Higher emissions.
