Are you experiencing common car issues but can't determine the root cause of the problem? Instead of looking under the hood, consider your gas tank as the possible culprit.
Having long-sitting or low-quality fuel is detrimental to your car's health. As gasoline ages its chemical makeup changes, leading to processing issues as the fuel passes through the engine. Regular gasoline typically degrades after three to six months, with diesel staying good for up to one year.
Low-quality gas can stem from a non-reputable seller distributing a concoction of blended gasoline or putting the wrong octane into your vehicle. Do not simply brush this off with a shrug and instead think, what can bad gas do to your car. The truth is that it can significantly and negatively impact your car's functionality.
Unsure of whether you're dealing with fuel issues or something else? Save yourself time and money by looking for the following symptoms of bad gas in a car to fix the problem sooner.
1. Your Car Isn't Starting
A moment of panic always arises when your car won't start or has difficulty starting, as these are usually clear signs that something needs to be fixed. Failure to start is a symptom of bad gas in a car because contaminants within the faulty fuel have made their way to your engine. This includes water, other liquids or debris in the gasoline or your tank.
Instead of worrying about what might be happening, bring your car to a trusted mechanic to properly diagnose the reason why your car won't start and resolve the issue immediately.
2. The Ignition is Hesitant or Sputtering
Another sign of bad fuel is your car's ignition being hesitant or sputtering, leading to engine misfires and noises. Because of the change in chemical composition as gasoline goes bad, it also combusts improperly when used, which results in hesitancy and sputtering.
If this is an issue you notice, address it immediately by changing the type of gasoline you put into your car, checking the seal of your car's gas tank and bringing your car to a mechanic if the problem continues.
3. You Have Issues Accelerating
When you push down on the gas pedal in your car, there should be an immediate response as your car accelerates and moves forward. If there's a delay when you perform this action, bad gas might be the culprit, as it decreases engine performance.
In fact, the worse your gasoline and gas tank, the worse your acceleration issues will be , meaning this is a symptom that you should fix as soon as possible. As you attempt to travel at increasingly higher speeds, you'll notice the delay in response getting worse, putting you in danger as you try to keep up with traffic.
4. The Check Engine Light is On
Don't ignore an illuminated check engine light! The symbol is a key indicator that something is wrong with your car, and you should resolve the issue as soon as possible.
Taking your vehicle to a trusted mechanic is the fastest way to determine why your check engine light is on. In the case of bad gas, as fuel cycles to the engine, the buildup of debris or how it combusts will negatively impact your engine, thus causing the light to come on.
5. Your Drive Isn't Smooth
When unexpected stalling happens as you're driving, causing an unsmooth ride, bad gasoline might just be to blame. This is because the bad fuel isn't combusting properly due to the chemical changes, causing the engine to misfire and not receive enough power.
Changing your gasoline to the correct octane and quality, as well as inspecting your gas cap and seal, should prevent your car from continuing to stall. This should also limit the possibility of major damage to the engine.
6. There's a Delay When Shifting
As bad gasoline cycles through your car's engine, the resulting damage impacts many vehicle functions and performance, causing malfunctions. If you're having trouble shifting into gears, your engine isn't operating properly and has affected your transmission. The same is true if your vehicle's gears are slipping.
Make sure you're replacing the bad gas with the right, higher-quality gasoline for your car to avoid major damage to your engine, which may then impact transmission shifting and the need for a replacement.
7. You Need to Fill Your Tank More Frequently
A common sign of bad gasoline in your car is needing to stop at the gas station to fill up more often than normal. Whether you're pumping your own gas or having your tank filled for you, an increased frequency of fill-ups tells you that your car is suffering from decreased efficiency.
Bad fuel with excess debris or liquid doesn't combust properly and will make your car less efficient over time. To monitor if this is becoming an issue for you, know your car's MPG, and if you're performing below average, swap the type of gasoline you're using with a more reputable and quality version.
8. The Gas Cap Became Loose
A key physical sign that your car has bad gasoline, or soon will, is a loose gas cap that isn't sealing properly. These issues expose your tank to the elements and make it easier for debris and water to enter your car's fuel system, contaminating the gasoline.
As part of your routine car maintenance, check the gas cap and seal regularly to catch and resolve any issues as early on as possible.
How to Avoid Bad Gas
To prevent experiencing the above symptoms and major car issues, take the necessary steps to avoid having bad gas in your car. This includes:
- Don't let gasoline sit in your car unused for more than six months.
- Only use fuel from reputable gas stations.
- Know and purchase the correct fuel grade for your car.
- Routinely check your gas cap and seal to ensure they are functioning properly.
Sometimes, the unavoidable happens, and you'll end up with bad fuel anyway. Recognizing old gas in car symptoms or when gasoline has gone bad becomes crucial.
How to Solve If You Have Bad Gas
If you notice any of the above symptoms of bad gas in a car and believe this is the cause of the issues you're experiencing, switch the type of fuel you're putting in your car. This can mean going to a different gas station, reading your owner's manual to determine your car's correct fuel grade, or having a faulty cap and seal fixed.
If these symptoms persist or get worse, take your car to a trusted mechanic to have your fuel systems checked and flushed and any issues fixed.
FAQ
Looking for more information on how to tell if gas is bad and related signs of bad gas? See some answers to frequently asked questions below:
Does Gasoline Go Bad?
Yes. Believe it or not, gasoline does have a shelf life due to its chemical composition. So how long can gas sit in a car?
Regular-grade fuel can be in your tank for three to six months, while diesel-grade fuel lasts up to a year. This is due to the oxidation process that occurs the longer gasoline sits, changing its chemical makeup and decreasing efficiency.
Know how to tell if gas is bad, especially if your car has been sitting idle for a few months, by looking for the above symptoms.
What Happens When Gas Goes Bad?
When gas goes bad , whether due to liquid or debris infiltration, oxidation due to sitting or using low-quality fuel , it can negatively affect your car's operating system.
Keep an eye out for the above signs of bad gas , including your car not starting, an illuminated check engine light and the need to fill your tank more , to prevent symptoms from getting worse. Switch to better-quality fuel, perform routine maintenance and fix any system issues as they arise.
How Do You Treat Bad Gas in a Car?
Treat bad gas in a car by addressing the issue head-on immediately. Take the following steps as soon as you suspect bad gas in your car:
- Double-check that you're using the correct fuel grade.
- Switch the gas station you're buying fuel from.
- Replace your gas cap and/or seal if it is loose.
- Schedule an appointment with a trusted mechanic to test your fuel line and flush the system.
When pondering the question of does gas go bad in a car, the simple answer is yes. Knowing the symptoms of bad gas in a car allows you to treat them immediately and seek professional help as needed.
Should I Only Buy a Certain Type of Gas?
Yes. First, make sure you buy gasoline only from a reputable gas station to ensure you're putting quality fuel in your tank.
Next, ensure you're using your car's correct octane , or fuel grade. Check your owner's manual to determine what your car needs. A breakdown of the fuel-grade options are:
- Regular: Usually the cheapest option, regular gasoline has an 87 rating. It's suitable for most car engines and requires the least amount of compression in the engine to ignite the fuel.
- Mid-grade or Regular +: Also suitable for most engines, mid-grade or regular + gasoline has between an 89 and 90 rating. This type of gas requires a medium amount of compression in the engine to ignite the fuel.
- Premium: Premium gasoline is more expensive than the other two options and has a 91 to 94 rating. This type of fuel is suitable for high-performance engines only and requires the most amount of compression in the engine to ignite the fuel.
- Diesel: Diesel gas doesn't have an octane rating and should only be used with diesel-compatible engines.
What are the Symptoms of Water in Your Gas Tank?
Water in your gas tank has the same symptoms as bad gasoline. The most important sign to look for is a loose gas cap or seal, which exposes your tank to the elements and increases the probability of water entering your system.
Water will dilute the fuel in your car, making it less efficient and open to more operating issues.
When to Call Roadside Assistance
Did a symptom of having bad gas in your car leave you stranded? Call Roadside Assistance, available with your AAA Membership, to help get your car to a trusted mechanic.
If you suspect bad gas in your car and need to fix different systems, locate an Auto Repair Facilitator to assist you and get your car back on the road in better condition.