After winter hibernation, do you drive gently with the 6 month old gas?

viiv · 01-12-2022, 03:41 AM

I live in Canada, and my car hibernates from October to May.

We all know you are supposed to fill up the tank before hibernation with (ideally) ethanol free gas (and optionally use fuel stabilizer).

I was told by a Nissan service tech way back in 2019 to make sure to drive like you did during the break in period (in regards to trying to keep Rpms under 3-4k and not stressing the engine with hard acceleration) until you are able to burn off the stale 6 month old gas in the tank and refill with fresh gas.

Anyone do this or heard of this? I'm assuming the rationale is old/stale gas in a high load, high rpm situation may lead to a misfire/pre-mature detonation type scenario? With an abundance of caution, I have been doing this since I purchased my car after both the winter of 2020 and 2021.

2011 Nismo#91 · 01-12-2022, 08:25 AM

You worry too much. Burn off about half a tank driving "normally", just don't red line it, and then fill up, and you're set to go.

Cyber370 · 01-12-2022, 09:33 AM

Nope. I, like you, store my car during winter months. I fill up with ethanol free gas (Shell 91) and add some fuel stabilizer prior to storage. When spring comes around, I drive it like I stole it to burn off the old gas as soon as possible. Never had any issues or even a hint of a misfire. Don’t worry about what a Nissan «*service tech*» tells you. If they’re anything like the Nissan techs in my area, they know nothing! Enjoy the car.

Spooler · 01-12-2022, 10:12 AM

If your knock sensors pick up anything from poor gas your ECU will pull timing. As long as it is not a couple of years old, you should be fine. 6 months is not that bad at all.

chowtoo · 01-12-2022, 05:13 PM

I store mine from October to May of the second year (1.5 years) with a full tank of 93 premium and Stabil. I take the battery out and put desiccants in a car bag to rotate my two cars. I never have any trouble but I also never drive my two 370Zs too hard.

Tractionless · 01-15-2022, 08:47 AM

Use startron enzyme fuel system treatment now and next time you hibernate it and let it rip!

It even takes stale nasty smelling fuel that prevents cars from starting and refreshes it to turn them over. Speaking from experience.

BORNGEARHEAD · 01-16-2022, 07:27 PM

Drive it like you stole it.

ZoomZ · 01-17-2022, 12:17 PM

Im in Vancouver too!

Ya, same situation. I use Chevron 94 all season and from day 1. No issue with ethanol there.

I add 1 bottle REDLINE S-1 fuel cleaner to full tank prior to storage.

Change engine oil&filter (RL 5w30) before storage.

Hook up Battery tender.

Place on Quick Jack.

Drive normally in spring.

(it doesn't hurt to drive gently, do it if it makes you sleep better)

thekinn · 01-19-2022, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by viiv

After winter hibernation, do you drive gently with the 6 month old gas?
Anyone do this or heard of this?

No. and No.

SouthArk370Z · 01-20-2022, 05:25 AM

Another vote for "Don't Worry About It." Six months is nothing unless storage conditions are terrible.

Zyonara91 · 01-22-2022, 03:32 PM

If your car is in winter hibernation, let it rest, do not start it up.

When I put my car away for the winter I fill it with Shell or Canadian Tire ethanol free 91 then put STP fuel stabilizer in it. I also change the oil before putting it away. In addition I keep it hooked to a battery tender.

When spring comes, I start the car and just drive how I would anyways, I don't know why I would drive any different. I mean I turn the wheel all the way left and right a few times, pump the brakes, go through the gears slowly to ensure I don't kill myself when I do a spirited drive.

I try to burn through the "old" gas as quick as I can even though I know it is perfectly good.

SeeThruHead · 01-22-2022, 05:24 PM

Anyone use fuel system anti corrosives like Bilt Hamber gas-mac?
https://bilthamber.com/product/gas-mac/

01-12-2022, 03:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
viiv Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Montreal Posts: 294 Drives: 20 Nissan 370Z PR M6 Rep Power: 34016	After winter hibernation, do you drive gently with the 6 month old gas? I live in Canada, and my car hibernates from October to May. We all know you are supposed to fill up the tank before hibernation with (ideally) ethanol free gas (and optionally use fuel stabilizer). I was told by a Nissan service tech way back in 2019 to make sure to drive like you did during the break in period (in regards to trying to keep Rpms under 3-4k and not stressing the engine with hard acceleration) until you are able to burn off the stale 6 month old gas in the tank and refill with fresh gas. Anyone do this or heard of this? I'm assuming the rationale is old/stale gas in a high load, high rpm situation may lead to a misfire/pre-mature detonation type scenario? With an abundance of caution, I have been doing this since I purchased my car after both the winter of 2020 and 2021. Last edited by viiv; 01-12-2022 at 03:53 AM.

01-12-2022, 08:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
2011 Nismo#91 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 2,400 Drives: slowly Rep Power: 40569	You worry too much. Burn off about half a tank driving "normally", just don't red line it, and then fill up, and you're set to go. SouthArk370Z likes this. __________________ GTR TT 493Whp/431lbft, Ecutek, Southbend 6puck,Quaife, RPM RollBar 4Point, R888R, JRZ RSPro F(10R/10C) R(10R/6C) 1000f500r inlbs+150inlbs Tender, SPL everywhere.Full Specs

01-12-2022, 09:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
Cyber370 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Montreal, QC Canada Posts: 679 Drives: 2016 370Z Nismo 6MT Rep Power: 19372	Nope. I, like you, store my car during winter months. I fill up with ethanol free gas (Shell 91) and add some fuel stabilizer prior to storage. When spring comes around, I drive it like I stole it to burn off the old gas as soon as possible. Never had any issues or even a hint of a misfire. Don’t worry about what a Nissan «service tech» tells you. If they’re anything like the Nissan techs in my area, they know nothing! Enjoy the car. Zyonara91 likes this. __________________ "That’s when you know you’ve found somebody special. When you can just shut the fck up for a minute and comfortably enjoy the silence.”-Mia (Pulp Fiction)*

01-15-2022, 08:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
Tractionless A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Atlantic SE Posts: 1,322 Drives: '10 K23 ST 7AT Rep Power: 30525	Use startron enzyme fuel system treatment now and next time you hibernate it and let it rip! It even takes stale nasty smelling fuel that prevents cars from starting and refreshes it to turn them over. Speaking from experience. __________________ Toys Not Tots

01-16-2022, 07:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
BORNGEARHEAD Base Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: WI Posts: 58 Drives: 2020 370z Passion Rep Power: 3360	Drive it like you stole it. Falconquey likes this. __________________ '20 370Z Sport - '15 Frontier - '04 350Z Roadster - '79 Datsun 620

01-12-2022, 10:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
Spooler A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ga Posts: 13,792 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 2684392	If your knock sensors pick up anything from poor gas your ECU will pull timing. As long as it is not a couple of years old, you should be fine. 6 months is not that bad at all.

01-12-2022, 05:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
chowtoo Base Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: S. E. MI Posts: 153 Drives: Red2018 M6, 2019 A7 Rep Power: 4596	I store mine from October to May of the second year (1.5 years) with a full tank of 93 premium and Stabil. I take the battery out and put desiccants in a car bag to rotate my two cars. I never have any trouble but I also never drive my two 370Zs too hard.

01-17-2022, 12:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
ZoomZ Track Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 760 Drives: 17' 370Z Nismo Rep Power: 40617	Im in Vancouver too! Ya, same situation. I use Chevron 94 all season and from day 1. No issue with ethanol there. I add 1 bottle REDLINE S-1 fuel cleaner to full tank prior to storage. Change engine oil&filter (RL 5w30) before storage. Hook up Battery tender. Place on Quick Jack. Drive normally in spring. (it doesn't hurt to drive gently, do it if it makes you sleep better) Zyonara91 likes this. Last edited by ZoomZ; 01-17-2022 at 12:20 PM.

01-20-2022, 05:25 AM	#10 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	Another vote for "Don't Worry About It." Six months is nothing unless storage conditions are terrible. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

01-22-2022, 03:32 PM	#11 (permalink)
Zyonara91 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: GTA Posts: 368 Drives: 2010-Red-6spd-S/T Rep Power: 15756	If your car is in winter hibernation, let it rest, do not start it up. When I put my car away for the winter I fill it with Shell or Canadian Tire ethanol free 91 then put STP fuel stabilizer in it. I also change the oil before putting it away. In addition I keep it hooked to a battery tender. When spring comes, I start the car and just drive how I would anyways, I don't know why I would drive any different. I mean I turn the wheel all the way left and right a few times, pump the brakes, go through the gears slowly to ensure I don't kill myself when I do a spirited drive. I try to burn through the "old" gas as quick as I can even though I know it is perfectly good. __________________ 2FT3PDLZ

01-22-2022, 05:24 PM	#12 (permalink)
SeeThruHead Track Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Toronto Posts: 716 Drives: Red '18 Sport Manual Rep Power: 23498	Anyone use fuel system anti corrosives like Bilt Hamber gas-mac? https://bilthamber.com/product/gas-mac/ __________________ My Build thread STH Build Plan Thread Images too big fix here

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