STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer
Q: Where can I purchase STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer?
A: See list of retailers that carry STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer on the STA-BIL
“Where to Buy” page of this site, or call 800-367-3245.
back to top 
Q: How long will STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer keep fuel fresh?
A: For 12 months when mixed into fresh gasoline. Doubling the dosage will keep fuel fresh for up to 2 years.*
back to top
Q: What is the shelf life of STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer?
A: 2 years after the bottle has been opened, provided it has been tightly capped and stored in a cool, dry place. If the bottle is never opened and under the original factory seal, than the shelf life is 5 to 6 years from manufacture.
back to top
Q: How much STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer should I add to fuel?
A: One ounce (30mL) of STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer for every 2 ½ gallons (9.5 L) of gasoline, gasoline/oil mixtures, or ethanol blends is the recommended dosage level.
back to top
Q: Is STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer safe to use in all gasoline, including gasoline/oil mixtures and ethanol blends (including gasoline containing ethanol)?
A: Yes, STA-BIL is safe to use in all types of gasoline, including those blends containing up to 10% ethanol.
back to top
Q: Is STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer safe for fuel injectors and catalytic converters?
A: STA-BIL is safe to use in both fuel injected and carbureted engines, and will not damage catalytic converters or oxygen sensors. STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer prevents the formation of gums and varnish that can clog fuel injectors, and actually contains a fuel injector cleaner to further improve your engine’s performance.
back to top
Q: Can I use STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer in both 2-cycle (gas and oil mixture) and 4-cycle engines? What about the number of engine cylinders (1, 2, 4, 6 or 8 cylinders)?
A: Yes, STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer works equally well for both 2-cycle (gas and oil mixture) and 4-cycle engines. STA-BIL can be used in engines with any number of cylinders (e.g. 1, 2, 4, 6 or 8 cylinders).
back to top
Q: I have some gas in a tank that has been there more than 2 months. Will STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer make this old gas like new?
A: No, STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer will not restore or improve old gasoline. It will, however, stop it from degrading further. The best thing to do is treat the fuel with STA-BIL as soon as you buy it.
back to top
Q: I put STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer in gas more than 12 months ago. If I put more STA-BIL in will it extend the time that the gas is still usable?
A: No, re-treating already stabilized fuel that has been stored for a significant period of time will not significantly prolong the life of, nor improve the fuel. If you believe you will be storing your equipment for longer than 12 months, it is recommended to double the dose of STA-BIL before you place in storage to ensure fresh fuel for up to 2 years.
back to top
Q: What if my gas has already gone stale (i.e. has gummed up)?
A: If the engine starts, you should fill your tank with fresh gas and use a fuel injector cleaner product (such as 104+ Octane Boost). If your engine does not start, then you will need to seek a professional mechanic for cleaning and repairs.
back to top
Q: When should I use STA-BIL Fogging Oil?
A: Use STA-BIL Fogging Oil when an engine is not going to be run for 30 days or more. In as little as 30 days the protective oil layer in the engine can drain away and evaporate leaving bare metal surfaces susceptible to corrosion damaging the engine and reducing performance and engine life.
back to top
Q: How do I use STA-BIL Fogging Oil?
A:
- Start the engine and remove the air filter.
- Spray Fogging Oil into air intakes of running engine.
- Shut off engine after 10 seconds (often engine will choke itself off)*.
- Remove spark plugs.
- Attach extension tube and spray Fogging Oil into each cylinder for 3 seconds.
- Replace spark plugs.
* For maximum protection you can also coat the cylinders directly in addition to steps 1-3.
back to top
Q: How do I remove a spill-related red stain?
A: If spilled immediately blot-up STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer with a paper towel. If a stain remains, moisten a paper towel with mineral spirits (common paint thinner) or dry cleaning fluid available at most hardware stores and home centers. Test for color fastness, then place moistened towel on the stained area for 30 seconds -- this may be repeated twice. Rinse area with Isopropanol (common rubbing alcohol).
back to top
Marine Formula STA-BIL
Q: Where can I purchase MARINE Formula STA-BIL®?
A: See the list of retailers that carry MARINE Formula STA-BIL on the STA-BIL “Where to Buy” page of this site, or call 800-367-3245.
back to top
Q: How does MARINE Formula STA-BIL® Ethanol Treatment and Performance Improver work, and how is it different from Regular STA-BIL?
A:
MARINE Formula STA-BIL Ethanol Treatment is a new, enhanced formula of STA-BIL, America's top selling fuel stabilizer, that was designed to fight many of the unique problems related to ethanol in gasoline in the moisture-laden marine environment, and fights those problems in three ways:
- Fights Fuel System Deposits – Ethanol in gasoline acts as a solvent on the accumulated deposits in marine fuel tanks, fuel lines, carburetors, injectors. These loosened deposits can cause engine performance problems, including hard starting, rough running and stalling. MARINE Formula STA-BIL cleans-up power-robbing deposits from carburetors, fuel injectors and intake valves to improve engine performance. MARINE Formula STA-BIL contains more than FOUR TIMES the fuel system cleaner in Regular STA-BIL – it is a Complete Fuel System Cleaner.
- Fights Fuel System Corrosion – Ethanol in gasoline attracts water from the moist marine air. Since virtually all marine fuel systems manufactured through 2007 vent to the air, the ethanol continually attracts water – which can cause corrosion damage to marine fuel tanks, fuel lines, carburetors and injectors. MARINE Formula STA-BIL contains DOUBLE the corrosion preventer in Regular STA-BIL, to fight the unique problems of ethanol in gasoline in the marine environment, including marine fuel tanks which vent to the marine air.
- Fights Fuel Degradation – Pumped gasoline starts to degrade immediately. MARINE Formula STA-BIL keeps fuel fresh for up to 12 months in marine gas tanks. Just like Regular STA-BIL, adding MARINE Formula STA-BIL Keeps Fuel Fresh , and eliminates the need to drain fuel prior to storage.
back to top
Q: How much of the gasoline currently sold in the United States has some percentage of ethanol blended into it?
A: Currently almost
HALF of the gasoline sold in the United States has some percentage of ethanol blended into it, and that percentage is expected to grow significantly over the next five years as additional supplies of ethanol become available to blend into gasoline. Ethanol is blended together with gasoline at the local fuel terminals, and then the tankers deliver the fuel to the local retail locations. Ethanol is stored separately from gasoline prior to blending it together at the fuel terminals, since ethanol attracts water, and also requires special corrosion-resistant pipes and tanks to store it.
back to top
Q: In what types of fuel can MARINE Formula STA-BIL® Ethanol Treatment and Performance Improver be used?
A: MARINE Formula STA-BIL can be used in
ALL 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines designed to run on
ALL gasoline, gasoline/oil mixtures, and
ethanol blends. It is recommended that you treat the fuel in the tank at each fill-up, and each time you fill up the gas can(s).
back to top
Q: Can I use MARINE Formula STA-BIL® Ethanol Treatment and Performance Improver in my marine engine(s) and also in my other gasoline-powered outdoor equipment engines too?
A:
Yes, MARINE Formula STA-BIL can be used in
ALL marine gas tanks, all inboard and outboard boat motors, onboard generators, and personal watercraft engines. It is also safe for use in all gasoline-powered cars, motor homes, lawnmowers, tractors, snowmobiles, motorcycles, grass trimmers, leaf blowers, tillers, power washers, backup generators, golf carts –
ALL outdoor power equipment. Again, it is best to treat the fuel in the tank at each fill-up, and each time you fill up the gas can(s).
back to top
Q: Is MARINE Formula STA-BIL® Ethanol Treatment safe to use?
A: MARINE Formula STA-BIL is completely safe to use in any engine powered by gasoline, gasoline/oil mixtures, and ethanol blends. It contains no additives that could harm a fuel tank or fuel lines, or an engine, fuel injectors or intake valves. Use of STA-BIL will not void any engine warranty. In addition, over treatment is safe and will not harm engine.
back to top
Q: Why is using MARINE Formula STA-BIL® Ethanol Treatment a better way to store fuel than draining it from the fuel tank and fuel system?
A: MARINE Formula STA-BIL should be used to store fuel in tanks, rather than draining fuel for several reasons. First, it is nearly impossible to get all of the fuel out of the fuel tank and fuel system simply by draining. To remove all of the fuel, the fuel lines and all of the fuel system components must be blown out or enough fuel will remain to cause gun and varnish to form. It is usually difficult to dispose of the drained fuel in an environmentally correct manner. Second, draining fuel exposes the bare metal in the tank and the fuel system to air and moisture that causes corrosion. Third, gaskets and seals may dry out or crack, leading to leaks when the tank and fuel system is refilled. The best solution is to fill the tank 95% full with fresh fuel and to immediately treat the fresh fuel with STA-BIL.
back to top
Q: How long will MARINE Formula STA-BIL® Ethanol Treatment keep fuel fresh?
A: MARINE Formula STA-BIL keeps fuel fresh for up to 12 months in marine gas tanks and gas cans. Adding STA-BIL prevents the formation of gum and varnish that can cause engine performance problems including hard starting, rough running and stalling.
back to top
Q: How much MARINE Formula STA-BIL® should I add to fuel?
A: For
everyday in-season engine performance improvement and protection, use 1 ounce (30mL) in every 10 gallons (37.9 L).
For seasonal storage and for fuel system clean-up, use 1 ounce (30mL) of MARINE Formula STA-BIL in 5 gallons (18.9 L). Again, over treatment is safe and will not harm engine.
back to top
DIESEL Formula STA-BIL®
Q: Why should I use DIESEL Formula STA-BIL® Fuel Stabilizer?
A:
In 2006, the EPA mandated the reformulation of diesel fuels, reducing sulfur content to less than 15 ppm. This newly reformulated diesel fuel, called Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel, is less stable than diesel fuels of the past. The reduction in sulfur also means less lubrication to protect the diesel engine from wear, leading to more breakdowns and major engine problems.
Diesel engines run hotter and create more stress than gas engines. When diesel fuel runs through the fuel tank and lines, it can reach very high temperatures, as hot as 300 degrees. After this fuel reaches the fuel injectors and combusts, much of this fuel gets returned to the tank, heating up the entire tank of unused fuel. As diesel fuel continually re-circulates throughout the system, and heats up, the fuel becomes “thermally stressed”. The heat and pressure this cycle puts on the fuel can cause sludge and sediment to form, and as more of these sediments are formed, they can darken the fuel to a dark brown or black color. When these sediments are drawn through the system with the fuel, they can cause filter plugging and deposits.
Diesel Formula STA-BIL® is specially formulated to help prevent sludge and sediment formation and the darkening of diesel fuel. Diesel STA-BIL® contains high levels of detergents and lubricity agents, and when used regularly, helps remove these sediments as well as any engine deposits that may have already formed, in addition to lubricating critical fuel system components to keep your diesel engine running like new.
back to top
Q: Does DIESEL Formula STA-BIL® also help remove water? How? Why is this important?
A:
Although water attraction can occur within the fuel tank at any time, when diesel fuel is stored for long periods, it is more likely to draw in moisture from the air. Which means the fuel is more prone to fungus, algae and bacterial growth. Algae can grow rapidly within the fuel and fuel system if there is any water within the fuel or tank. This growth can lead to a gummy mess within your fuel tank -- clogging the entire system, and if not properly cleaned and maintained, causing your diesel engine to run poorly, if at all.
Diesel Formula STA-BIL® helps remove water from the diesel fuel, eliminating the environment in which fungi and algae require to grow in. Diesel STA-BIL® demulsifies the water (breaks the water into small droplets) dropping it to the bottom of the fuel tank, where the fuel/water separators remove the water from the fuel, allowing the fuel to move safely through the fuel system. By removing the water before the fuel flows through the fuel system, also helps protect against corrosion.
back to top
Q: In what types of fuel can DIESEL Formula STA-BIL® Fuel Stabilizer be used in?
A: DIESEL Formula STA-BIL® is safe to use in ALL Diesel Fuels, including Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel and Bio-Diesel blends. It is also safe to use in ANY Diesel Engine, including Marine and Agricultural equipment.
back to top
Q: Can you use DIESEL Formula STA-BIL® in Home Heating Oil?
A: While this product was not specifically developed for this purpose, it is safe to use Diesel Formula STA-BIL® in Home Heating Oils. It will work well at keeping the burners clean, removing any water in the fuel and will also help stabilize the fuel, if stored for periods of time.
back to top
Q: I thought Regular (Red) STA-BIL® worked in Diesel Fuel, how is Diesel Formula STA-BIL® better?
A: Regulatory actions taken by the EPA over the last few years have resulted in diesel fuel reformulations (reduction of sulfur content), creating a need for more, specialized diesel-specific additives that add needed lubricity agents back to the fuel, and to help protect against corrosion and the breakdown of fuel caused by thermal oxidation (heating of the fuel as it re-circulates through the system). In addition, Regular STA-BIL® contains a red dye, which can lead to potential legal issues if used in On-Road Diesel fuel, as Off-Road Diesel is purposely dyed red for tax subsidy purposes.
back to top
Q: How much DIESEL Formula STA-BIL® should I add to fuel?
A: We recommend using DIESEL Formula STA-BIL® at EVERY FILL up to protect your fuel system year-round from sludge and sediment formation, water, corrosion, and breakdown of the fuel. For use in every tank, use 1 ounce in every 10 gallons of fuel. If using product only during storage, use 1 ounce in every 5 gallons of fuel.
back to top
*
Actual duration of fuel stability will vary depending on regional source of gasoline and storage conditions. Stability up to 12 months is most common and lab tested.