Fuel

I would think so. Steve Barney the owner of Sport Auto and long time Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, and Lamborghini collector told me he drove 30 miles to get some ethanol free gas for his cars only to find out it was regular. If he thinks it's better for his cars then that's a good recommendation.
Alan

 

I have been told it won't matter if you drive regularly. It's when you let the car sit that the problem occurs. That came from Karl Troy at European Road and Racing in Charleston. Check his website he's a pretty sharp dude.

 

As OUMick writes, if its driven regularly then you'll be fine. With storage the ethanol corrodes parts.

I run it in mine as it gives a tad more power without the ethanol and the station is 2 minutes down the road.

 

I asked this before in the Technical Q&A section. Out here we only have 89 octane in ethanol free and it was said that for me the higher octane gas is better for my car than lower octane ethanol free.

 

Should one use a fuel additive if the car is going to be stored for weeks and months on end without being started (when using ethanol blended fuel) ?

 

Yeah, I use a few ounces of fuel stabilizer in every fill up to prevent any issues with the car being unused for a few weeks at a time. It works. Been going for years without any issues with using fuel stabilizer on infrequently driven cars and boat. Haven't been forced to seek out ethanol free, though I'd probably go for it if you can get it in high octane and it is easily accessible. For me it is not nearby.

Have experienced startup problems in vehicles after just a few weeks when not using the stabilizer.

 

Sta-Bil makes a standard Marine version (blue) that I have used in everything from my 911 race car that sits for several months every year to all my yard tools, never an issue. They make an even better version called 360 Marine I will use in my 360 (seems like they made it for 360 owners.. ) during the winter (unless someone has a better product!).

 

It looks like V-Power contains ethanol as well, any issues with using fuel stabilizer with V-Power?

Also, will Sta-Bil Marine work okay if they only sit for a few weeks (vs several months) ?

Is it safe to assume most store their vehicles with a full tank?

 

You dose by the gallon whether its for 1 weeks or 8 IIRC, no ill effects at all. To be honest I usually dose heavy, take the car for a ride to mix it in and have the dosed fuel throughout the system, any storage for me over a couple weeks is always on a full tank.

 

Is this the stuff?

Amazon.com: STA-BIL 22240 Marine Fuel Stabilizer - 32 oz.: Automotive

 

No, that is the regular marine stuff. I use that blue stuff in my boat and I use the red stuff in my cars. The new product he was talking about is this new 360 version which looks interesting:

Amazon.com: STA-BIL 22284 Ethanol Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer - 12 oz.: Automotive

 

Ah, that is interesting. I wonder what it does better since the Red is also for Ethanol blended fuels.

Doesn't Gary say he uses the marine/blue version in his cars, tools, etc, though?

 

I guess the blue could be used in cars. It is more expensive and is designed for super high humidity, like a boat that sits on the water. So if you are in a place like Florida I guess it could be extra insurance.

 

Thank you! I'll do a little more research. There is a lot of humidity here, but I don't want to damage anything either.

 

Doubtful it will damage anything. It just might be overkill is all.

 

So this is what their website says:

STA-BIL® Fuel Stabilizer is designed for use during STORAGE of any gasoline equipment or vehicle stored for 30 days or more, or used infrequently. It will keep gas fresh for 12 months, and help prevent corrosion, and gum and varnish formation. It is effective in all gasolines, including Ethanol blends, including E-85.
Marine Formula STA-BIL® Ethanol Treatment was designed for use at every fill up for marine engines (boats, jetskis) to protect against the damaging effects experienced when using Ethanol blended fuels -- including corrosion caused by water attraction, and fuel system plugging caused by deposit loosening.
New STA-BIL Ethanol Treatment is designed for use at every fill up for all gasoline automotive and small engines for protection against these same problems.

There are specific needs for each product. As a general guideline, if you are STORING your gasoline vehicle or equipment for 30 days or more, we recommend you use Red STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer. For EVERYDAY PROTECTION against Ethanol blended fuels in your Marine gasoline engine, we recommended using Marine Formula STA-BIL at every fill up during the season. For protection in all other non-marine gasoline vehicles, use new STA-BIL Ethanol Treatment at every fill up. For Diesel vehicles and equipment, use Diesel Formula STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer.

Marine Formula STA-BIL® Ethanol Treatment was designed for use at every fill up for marine engines (boats, jetskis) to protect against the damaging effects experienced when using Ethanol blended fuels -- including corrosion caused by water attraction, and fuel system plugging caused by deposit loosening.
STA-BIL® Fuel Stabilizer is designed for use during STORAGE of any gasoline equipment or vehicle stored for 30 days or more, or used infrequently. It will keep gas fresh for 12 months, and help prevent corrosion, and gum and varnish formation.
New STA-BIL® Ethanol Treatment is designed for use at every fill up for all gasoline automotive and small engines for protection against these same problems.

All STA-BIL® brand products are effective in all gasolines, including Ethanol blends, including E-85.

It seems like Blue = Red + New Ethanol