Do you have some old gas residing in your garage? Thinking of using or getting rid of it? Well, let us first inform you that it’s a fine idea as the gas loses it’s combustibility quite fast. The stored gas can either be reused or be disposed of, so it’s fair to ask or even think if it can be mixed with the fresh gas? In this brief, we would be answering this question in detail.
Can you mix old gas with new gas?
Well, the old uncontaminated gas and the new gas can be mixed but there are some strict conditions. However, some drivers do not recommend mixing old and new gas as not all gasoline is created the same. So, it would be better not to mix old gas with new gas if you are new to the engine world. Mixing old and new gas can cost you more than disposing of the old gas and filling the tank with fresh gas.
Some experts do not mind mixing old gas with fresh one;
Most of us believe that mixing old uncontaminated and new gas would be a terrible idea but surprisingly in the eyes of some experts, it’s not. If the gas is stored properly, has not lost its full combustibility. They think it’s fine to mix the old and new gasses up. However, they recommend the drivers mix them up in the right proportions.
The old uncontaminated gas may not be able to serve the purpose alone, it can only be made useful by diluting in the fresh gas
The stored gas starts losing it’s combustibility after a month even if it is rightly stored. So, the gas that has been stored for more than three months might not ignite the engine as it should be igniting. Diluting the stored gas in the fresh gas is the only to improve it’s usability.
Why Should Old and New Gas Better Not be Mixed?
Old and new gas should not be mixed for a variety of reasons, the major ones are;
- The old gas degrades over time it should not be added because it has already lost it’s combustibility
- It can cause sputtering
- It might fail to fire it up
- It might not let the engine work up to the driver’s expectations
- It can cause knocking
- It can lead to clogged injectors
Well, all drivers who have inefficiently mixed old and new gas in past have faced one or more issues from the above-mentioned list. Fortunately, All these issues are not at all inevitable, they can be successfully avoided if one knows how to mix the old and new gas safely.
The gas that should not be mixed can simply be judged by its appearance and smell
Only the gas that has not lost it’s combustibility, can be mixed in a small quantity with fresh gas to light up the engine. So, it’s super important to judge whether the gas has lost it’s usability or not.
The stored gas that should never be mixed with the fresh one would have a darker color and a strong, strange, and sour smell. The gas that looks cloudy and murky in some stances should also not be mixed with new gas even in the smallest quantities.
How Do You Mix the Old and New Gas Appropriately?
As we have mentioned above that all the above-mentioned issues are avoidable, one only needs to know how to smartly mix the old and new gases. The first thing you need to know is that if you have to store and use the gas frequently, you do not just have to store it well but need to be careful about it’s shelf life as well.
If the gas is not expired and has been properly stored in airtight containers, in most cases, the gas is in good condition to be used. The gas, no matter how superior it is, starts degrading within a month or so. So, the old gas might not be as effective as in starting things up as the new gas is.
Remember! The gas that can be mixed with new gas can only be three to six months old. If it has been stored for more than six months, there are some solid chances that it has gone bad. It’s important to determine the stored gas’s ability to ignite the engine as the little carelessness can do irreversible damage to the fuel system.
If the driver has no clue whether the gas has gone bad or not, it is suggested to get it checked first. If it is in good condition to be mixed with the new gas, make sure most of the gas tank is filled with fresh gas. Only a small amount of old gas can be added, if the driver wants the engine to run smoothly.
Lastly, how would you judge if this mixture is bad for your car’s engine?
If upon mixing the new and old gas, the car stalls frequently as you accelerate, surprisingly start producing a rough and botchy idle, or even keep the engine from being productive. The driver can judge that this new and old gas is a terrible mix.
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