My grandparents try to save wherever they can. And they also like to reminisce about the old days. And it’s that combination that often forces them to make decisions that don’t make sense. My grandfather often buys gas at the gas station to fill up. Because he knows that fuel is getting more expensive all the time, that in a month’s time a litre of fuel will be more expensive. But he doesn’t realise that what he saves at the petrol station, he will give to the mechanic in some time, with interest. Because it simply doesn’t pay to keep a large amount of fuel in reserve.

At the moment, fuel prices are not as drastic as they have been in recent years. But still, in many countries people are nervous and afraid that the figures will rise again. In addition, many people are also afraid that there will be a shortage of fuel; in Poland, for example, experts regularly refute these fears and try to reassure the public. Even so, some people are filling up on petrol and diesel without realising what a mistake they are making.

Fuel is ageing

If you put fuel in a canister and leave it in your car for several months, it will not have the same value as when you paid for it. Fuel ages. If it’s exposed to oxygen, water, metals or even light or heat, its quality declines. Then you may be harming your car by using such petrol or diesel.

“When it’s hot, of course any chemical reaction will be higher and deterioration will be faster,” adds chemical engineer Olev Trass. Chemical changes in fuel can also be accelerated by storage conditions. In a canister in a car, fuel deteriorates faster because it changes environment and therefore temperature more frequently. If you store it in a cooler place in your garage, it will last longer, but even that is not ideal.

Gasoline will usually last about 3 months in a can without losing quality. So of course it’s a good idea to have a spare in your car to carry with you. A friend and I happened to run out of gas while traveling. It’s an unpleasant situation, which is really not ideal to deal with in the middle of the motorway. That’s when I scolded him for not having a spare in the trunk. That was right after I criticized his unreliability and inability to keep an eye on the amount of fuel in the tank.

What you save on the one hand, you spend later on the mechanic. Think about whether you will stock up on cheap fuel. ━━ What you save on the one hand, you spend later on the mechanic. Think about whether you will stock up on cheap fuel. ( Source: Erik Mclean /  Unsplash+ )

How can old petrol damage your car?

You should have some fuel in your car. However, if you buy petrol or diesel to stock up and use it with the intention of saving money after six months, you are making a big mistake. Old and poor quality fuel can damage your car. It reacts with oxygen to form varnish-like deposits that can build up in fuel lines, filters or injectors and gradually clog them.

Gasoline also gradually evaporates light and volatile components that are important for the mixture to ignite properly in the engine. Old fuel is therefore harder to ignite, which can cause difficult starting or poorer performance. If the fuel contains ethanol (which is true for most gasoline), it can draw moisture from the air. Water in the fuel system can then cause corrosion of metal parts.

So yes, if you buy more gasoline to stock up, you may save money on fuel, but the amount you then give to mechanics for repairs will be considerably higher.