Fuel Stabelizer

I have a 2023 4x4 Tacoma that gets driven very little (maybe 1 or 2 tank fulls per year) what brand of fuel stabelizer does anyone recommend and what grade of fuel should I fill the tank with (ethanol free is a option in my area).

 

Sta-Bil is a major brand available almost everywhere.

 

Or, and just hear me out, run non-ethanol gas... if it is an option in your area. Then you do not even have to worry about a stabilizer. That is what I would do. Ethanol added fuel is meant to be burnt relatively quickly and stabilizer is only a band aid.

 

Also watch your oil for condensation if you make short trips where the engine does not warm up to operating temperature.

 

Welcome to the forum

Ethanol free fuel and a good dose of Sta-Bil.

Rough life for a vehicle, I hope it is kept indoors with a battery tender and protected from rodent damage.

 

Non ethanol, with Sta-Bil.
I've lived in hurricane prone and areas with routine power outages for 30 years, necessitating long term gasoline storage.
The combination works. Period.

 

It is indoors and kept on a battery tender away from rodents and even in my climate controlled pole barn

 

I would treat it like a motorcycle. Ethanol-free is the ticket and what I do to winterize my bike. No need for any added products, but I don't think it harms anything if you wish to do so; I just don't find it necessary. My bike is carbureted BTW and ethanol-free only when it's ready to be away for the winter is perfect. The battery also comes out and goes inside on a tender until ready for the first spring ride.

 

Definitely use ethanol free. Ethanol is garbage in all aspects and should be avoided if you can afford it, regardless of vehicle usage.

For a stabilizer, not all are created equal. Watch this to see some testing with popular ones. Also, a fun video.

https://youtu.be/chsGBhB5g7o?feature=shared

 

From the opening post.......

And I agree. E-0 and Sta-Bil

 

If you aren’t having issues, I wouldn’t sweat it. I’ve owned boats and motorcycles that sat for 6 months every winter without me doing anything special. CAVEAT: you can’t buy anything other than non-ethanol on the Mississippi, so that’s what the boat had most of the time.

Ethanol will mix/dissolve with water unlike gasoline, so there is some risk of water contamination. Or so I have read. I’ve never actually experienced it.

Boat people recommend keeping the tank full to prevent condensation, but I’m really not sure how important that is.

I’m guessing fuel stabilizer is a gimmick, but that’s just a guess. I’ve never bothered to research it.

 

I park my 17 Tacoma every winter and use STA-BIL and a battery tender.
I just fired it up this past weekend and that battery is still good after 7 years.
I also read recently to start them up every few weeks to keep the engine parts internally lubricated to prevent rust from forming.
I also have rodent traps under the truck and keep a sock over the tailpipe to prevent moisture and deter the damn chipmunks that like climbing into my tailpipe.
Found a dead chitmunk in my tennis shoe with his tail hanging out after he drank my antifreeze I had sitting under my 65 Galaxie. I used to drain the radiator with that car in the winter.

 

I have a Corvette that sits for 6 months every winter. Instead of guessing I :

• add premium fuel to tank, add proper mixture of Stabil, take the car for a 2-3 mile run so fuel and Stabil mix and engine lines have that combo in them,
• add tire pressure to 45 lbs so no flat spotting and easy to just air down to spec in spring
• attach Battery Tender Junior and leave battery connected, put on a car cover and say good night for 6 months.
• In spring reverse and all is well.

Stabil seems to be the recognized standard and is what I've always used. You could just skip last 3 bullets.

 

I've never heard anything bad about sta-bil.
That being said I use amsoils stabilizer out of ordering convenience.
I use it for stored non-ethanol 89 in nato jerry cans. I've had fuel stored for a year and some chamge and it always looks and smells fresh fresh when cycling through it.
I think the non ethanol is is the biggest contribution over brand name.

 

I agree with Canuck and what he says. I forgot to mention over inflating my tires to 38 PSI.

 

I g
Agree with all posts and recommend top tier fuel and keep it topped off.

 

just get rid of the truck and buy a tesla in your case . i used stabil during the pandemic on my honda and i swear my mpg was never the same

 

I have a Tesla Black Shinobi, I don’t use the Tacoma very often.

 

Similar situation, don't drive it much. I use non-ethanol premium. Supposedly the higher octane premium is more stable for longer. I then add techron stabilizer, either the power sports or marine version. Currently the marine version since it's more available and economical.