Storing Car,Gas tank full or empty?

02 HAWK · 11-02-2009, 05:20 PM

Is it better to store a car with just a couple gallons of gas or completely full? Or does it really matter either way?

TransAm11973 · 11-02-2009, 05:39 PM

store completely full, with stabil added to it. if the tank isnt full it can build up condensation......the stabil will keep the fuel from going bad and forming varnish and screwing up your lines/pump.

***pajeff02*** · 11-02-2009, 06:13 PM

+1.

Z28boy2000 · 11-02-2009, 09:00 PM

mine is always full before i put it away, and i put some fuel stabilizer in it to keep it good through the season

ghettosled · 11-03-2009, 09:55 AM

for the past 7 years ive been storing my car every winter. i always have about a 1/2 tank thinking when its spring, i will run to the gas station and top off the tank with fresh gas. never had any problems of any sort. the car has always run like a dream.

basballny2 · 11-03-2009, 10:02 AM

full tank, put stabil in it and run the car for about 10 minutes after you put the stabil in

preston1980 · 11-03-2009, 11:44 AM

+1 on storing it full. Also need to store it with a fresh oil change.

***0rion*** · 11-03-2009, 11:48 AM

I haven't done any of that stuff in the 10 years I've had mine. I store it as close to empty as possible and change the oil first thing in the spring. Not that my way is right because it most likely isn't. Just how I've done it.

Z28boy2000 · 11-03-2009, 06:56 PM

as long as she looks clean before shes tucked away, and fires up when the spring rolls around im happy

***pajeff02*** · 11-04-2009, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0rion

I haven't done any of that stuff in the 10 years I've had mine. I store it as close to empty as possible and change the oil first thing in the spring. Not that my way is right because it most likely isn't. Just how I've done it.

Probably not as much of an issue as it used to be since tanks are now made of plastic. The metal tanks created more condensation and were prone to rust if not kept full during winter storage.

guitarjay76 · 11-05-2009, 12:59 AM

I've always stored mine with 1/4 tank or less and have had no problems. But the first thing I do in the spring is change the oil and fill up with 93 octane at least and run it hard to pass anything that's settled. Other than that, a fresh wash & coat of good wax and you should be good to go man.

Too Fast · 11-05-2009, 03:33 AM

I've never had a problem (that I know of, maybe the car covered it for me) storing a car a few months with less than quarter tank. However, the absolutely more correct way to store it is with a nearly full tank, with some Stabil added if it will be sitting more than 3-4 months.

11-02-2009, 05:20 PM	#1
02 HAWK Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: VA Age: 40 Posts: 7 2002 Trans Am Firehawk Black	Storing Car,Gas tank full or empty? Is it better to store a car with just a couple gallons of gas or completely full? Or does it really matter either way?

11-02-2009, 09:00 PM	#4
Z28boy2000 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Rochesterracing.com Posts: 1,186 2000 Camaro B4C	mine is always full before i put it away, and i put some fuel stabilizer in it to keep it good through the season __________________ 2000 B4C Special Service Package Z28 - TBD rwhp - TBD rwtq - TSP Torquer V.2 - FAST 92/92 - BDR 4000 Conveter - Xtreme Trans Stage II - Full UMI Suspension - Pacesetter LT's - Drag Shocks - Magnaflow - SLP CME - Cutout - ZO6 MAF - FTP LID - Street Tuned -

11-03-2009, 11:44 AM	#7
preston1980 Every day is a gift-enjoy Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 715 1999 Corvette Hardtop Torch Red	+1 on storing it full. Also need to store it with a fresh oil change. __________________ Torch Red -1999 FRC Corvette- Borla Stinger exhaust, Halltech Stinger intake

11-02-2009, 05:39 PM	#2
TransAm11973 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: in my Trans Am Posts: 2,622 2000 Trans Am WS6 Black	store completely full, with stabil added to it. if the tank isnt full it can build up condensation......the stabil will keep the fuel from going bad and forming varnish and screwing up your lines/pump.

11-02-2009, 06:13 PM	#3
*pajeff02* Junior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Mansfield, PA Age: 42 Posts: 6,322 '02 WS.6 / '07 Suburban Black & Blue	+1.

11-03-2009, 09:55 AM	#5
ghettosled Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: cleveland, ohio Posts: 227 1999 camaro ss #4288 pewter	for the past 7 years ive been storing my car every winter. i always have about a 1/2 tank thinking when its spring, i will run to the gas station and top off the tank with fresh gas. never had any problems of any sort. the car has always run like a dream.

11-03-2009, 10:02 AM	#6
basballny2 NY Representative Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NeW YoRk Posts: 3,257 2001 ws6 Red	full tank, put stabil in it and run the car for about 10 minutes after you put the stabil in

11-03-2009, 11:48 AM	#8
*0rion* Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: ohio Age: 40 Posts: 18,348 06 duramax 98 Formula	I haven't done any of that stuff in the 10 years I've had mine. I store it as close to empty as possible and change the oil first thing in the spring. Not that my way is right because it most likely isn't. Just how I've done it.

11-03-2009, 06:56 PM	#9
Z28boy2000 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Rochesterracing.com Posts: 1,186 2000 Camaro B4C	as long as she looks clean before shes tucked away, and fires up when the spring rolls around im happy

11-05-2009, 12:59 AM	#11
guitarjay76 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: onaway,MI Posts: 88 2000 Z28 black	I've always stored mine with 1/4 tank or less and have had no problems. But the first thing I do in the spring is change the oil and fill up with 93 octane at least and run it hard to pass anything that's settled. Other than that, a fresh wash & coat of good wax and you should be good to go man.

11-05-2009, 03:33 AM	#12
Too Fast Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Indianapolis Age: 47 Posts: 3,478 2000 WS6 6spd Hooker LT Black	I've never had a problem (that I know of, maybe the car covered it for me) storing a car a few months with less than quarter tank. However, the absolutely more correct way to store it is with a nearly full tank, with some Stabil added if it will be sitting more than 3-4 months.