It is common knowledge that time deteriorates fuel. The shelf life of gas can range from three to six months. Long storage of gas causes gums and furnish that adversely affect the fuel system. Through time, exposure to heat, and pressure, fuel can become stale and put intrastate. Using old gas is also detrimental to your engines.
It can damage your equipment and can cause fuel-related downtime. To avoid this problem, a fuel stabilizer is vital in engine care and maintenance. A fuel stabilizer is an anti-oxidant that increases solvency, breaks down varnish, prevents oxidation, protects from corrosion, and restores performance.
A fuel stabilizer is crucial in small engines, especially lawnmowers. Using a fuel stabilizer is the easiest way to maintain your lawnmower for the seasons to come. It ensures mowers run quicker, smoother, and without difficulty.
Considering the foregoing, we looked for high-quality additives to prevent engine degradation. The products discussed below boil down to similar features: promoting power, better fuel economy, and ensuring a year or two of safe storage.
Fuel Stabilizers For Lawn Mower – Comparison Table
1. STA-BIL (22239) 360 Marine Ethanol Treatment and Fuel Stabilizer – Best Protection against Ethanol Damage
Features:
- Model: Fuel Treatment, Ethanol, 32 oz
- Item Weight: 1.95 Pounds
Ultimate treatment against Ethanol blended fuels
This product ensures protection against ethanol damage. Ethanol has properties that can cause damage to small engines, like corrosion of metal parts, including carburetors, harder starting, and reduced engine life.
The premium formula of Sta-Bil protects the metal parts of the engine, which will eventually result in a smoother and quicker starting of the equipment. Many users noted that this product neutralizes the ethanol issue. They noticed significant changes in the running and operating of their engines.
Guarantees efficient performance of engines
Many of the users mentioned that Sta-Bil has helped keep their engines in good shape. They noted that their engines are smoother and stronger than ever. Many of the consumers have been using this product for many years, and since then, they haven’t encountered problems with their equipment.
Keeps fuel fresh for up to 12 months
Sta-Bil contains an impressive formula. It is a non-ethanol gas that helps protects against corrosion, rust, and increased evaporation of fuel. Sta-Bil guarantees to increase fuel storage for up to 12 months. It keeps the fuel fresh, hence, retaining its strength and effectiveness.
Worth the price
Although it is quite costly, it is worth it because it will prevent you from constantly repairing your engine due to fuel issues. Many consumers testified that they haven’t been to repair shops since then because their engines remain in good shape. Further, the ratio of the mixture is only one ounce for 2.5 gallons of gas. The bottle is big enough to last for a year or two.
Do we recommend it?
Yes. This product has proved its effectiveness over the years. It will protect your engine and will promote fuel efficiency. Many of the consumers were satisfied with the product and left positive feedback. They mentioned that one could never get wrong with using this brand. They haven’t encountered any issues afterward, and they can easily start their mowers in one to two tries. We recommend this product because it doesn’t leave any build-up, separation, clogging, or rusting. It might be pricy, but we can guarantee that you can save a lot more for investing in this one because you no longer need to repair your engine due to fuel issues constantly.
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#009906″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: chevron-down” icon_color=”#00bb0c”]- Stabilizes alcohol
- Keeps fuel fresh for 12 months
- Promotes an easy start of engines.
- It keeps the engine running cleaner, smoother, and stronger.
- It is great for cleaning fuel systems.
- It prevents build-up and protects from corrosion.
- It is quite pricy.
- The seal is not proper and sometimes causing leakage.
2. Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment Concentrate – Top Stabilizer for Fuel Storage
Providing the best technical solution and ensuring the longevity of fuel’s shelf life, improved engine performance, and cleaner fuel system.
Features:
- Brand: STAR BRITE
- Item Weight: 1.9 Pounds
- Style: 32oz Frustration-free
Cost-effective product
The first thing that we noticed about Star Tron Fuel Treatment is that it is very concentrated. The initial dosage is 1 fl. Oz. Every 8 gallons and for refill is 1 fl. Oz. for every 16 gallons.
Many consumers commented that since it is very concentrated, only a tiny capful can protect several gallons of fuel. Hence, it can last longer than others.
Promotes the longest shelf life for fuels
Based on the research that we have made, we found out that Star Tron ensures the longest shelf life of the fuel. Gasoline can stay fresh for up to two years when this multi-functional additive is mixed with the gas. This entails better fuel economy, engine efficiency, and better protection and preservation of the equipment.
Ensures full protection to engines
Moreover, this product increases fuel economy by cleaning the fuel system. There are no build-up, gum, or varnish deposits. This results in reliable performance and operation of the engine, better fuel efficiency, and reduced emission.
Top stabilizer for small engines
This fuel stabilizer works in all kinds of engines, but the best results were reflected in using the product in smaller engines like lawnmowers. Some purchasers said that this is ideal for lawn equipment going into seasonal storage. They said that it gives them better power and a smoother running engine.
Do we recommend it?
- It works in all forms of the engine.
- The product is very concentrated.
- Keeps fuel healthy for 2 years.
- There is no adverse effect even if overdosed.
- It makes engines start easily and run smoothly and efficiently.
- Reduces smoke and other emissions.
- It is costly.
- You can’t restore stale gas.
3. Lucas Oil 10303 Fuel Stabilizer – 1 Quart – Lowest cost yet ensuring fuel economy and engine
efficiency
Features:
- Brand: Lucas Oil
- Item Weight: 15.1 Ounces
- Product Dimension: 5 x 5 x 5 inches
- Application rate: 1 ounce to treat 1 gallon
Improves engine performance
Lucas Oil Fuel Stabilizer can work in a wide range of engines, whether a 2-cycle or 4-cyle one. Many of the users commented that their engines run smoother than before.
It promotes efficiency in the performance of engines and protects the engine from the harmful effects of alcohol. This product offers a solution for fuel degradation and engine damage.
Works against Ethanol damage
This product is designed to work with ethanol-blend gasoline. It contains properties that inhibit oxidation and slowing the process of the fuel becoming stale. It is also engineered to fight gums and corrosions from alcohol. This additive ensures wear protection, less friction, and accumulation of build-up deposits.
Inexpensive protection against engine damage
Many consumers considered this product as the cheapest insurance against bad and substandard gas. It keeps the engine, including the carburetors, fully protected.
This product is also considerably cheaper than other brands yet performed as well as the others. Many consumers also acknowledged that there are fewer emissions and noise.
Do we recommend it?
Yes. If you are on a budget, this product may be an option for you. It costs lesser than the other brands but guarantees to work the same way. Likewise, many consumers were satisfied with their purchases. Despite the lower price, they found their engines to work smoother and better. It also protects the engine for seasonal storage. You can never get wrong with using this product.
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#009906″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: chevron-down” icon_color=”#00bb0c”]- Increases the shelf life of the engine.
- Reduces wear and friction.
- Engines are fully protected.
- Ensures easy starting and better performance of the engine.
- It is very affordable.
- The ratio of the stabilizer and fuel is not as high as the other brands.
- It can cause damage to the engine when an improper amount is added.
Fuel Stabilizer For Lawnmower – Buyer’s Guide
Now that you have learned the feature, benefits, and drawbacks of our handpicked fuel stabilizer, there are specific considerations before purchasing one.
Compatibility
Although fuel stabilizers are designed to save fuel, protect engines, and improve the performance of the equipment, you cannot have your desired result when you purchase an additive that is not compatible with your fuel. An additive may be compatible with gasoline but not with diesel or ethanol blend or vice versa. Thus, it is essential to know first the fuel you are using.
Ease of use
One of the most important considerations is how easy the product can be used. We use additives to make our chores more straightforward, more convenient and have peace of mind. This includes the product design, how easy it is to measure, pour, and apply.
Length of Time
The idea of a fuel stabilizer is to increase the shelf life of fuels. Some fuel stabilizers prolong the shelf life to several months, and the best ones can increase the shelf life by up to 2 years. Hence, it is essential to know how many months can be stored while retaining their strength and freshness if you are storing numerous fuels.
Alcohol-Free Formula
One of the primary reasons why an engine deteriorates quickly is through too much water absorption. A fuel stabilizer that contains alcohol will make this a more significant issue and fail to correct the problem of the engine.
Ratio Measure
Some fuel stabilizers are more concentrated than others. An ounce of a fuel stabilizer may correct several gallons of fuel while others can correct fewer gallons. Thus, it is also essential to consider the ratio of the fuel stabilizer and the gas because a consumer can save more in the long run.
FAQ
What is a fuel stabilizer?
Fuel stabilizer is a solution that provides protective layer to the fuel. It bonds with gasoline to prevent evaporation. It also prevents from formation of deposits that can ruin carburetors. In its chemical sense, it is a mixture of lubricant and anti-oxidant to resist water and limit evaporation.
What are the benefits of fuel stabilizer?
Fuel Stabilizers are designed to save fuel, increase its shelf life, protect the engine, eliminate hard starts, clean fuel system, and ensure better performance of the engine. These benefits are not exclusive.
How long will a fuel stabilizer keep the gas clean?
Some stabilizers promise to make the fuel fresh for 12 months and other brands can increase the shelf life of the fuel up to 2 years.
Can fuel stabilizer restore old gas?
Most of these stabilizers cautioned that they could not restore stale gas. At best, what they can do is to prevent the gas from further degradation.
Is fuel stabilizer necessary in lawnmowers?
Yes. One of the best ways to take care of and maintain your lawnmower is using a fuel stabilizer. These products and their reviews ensure that the engine can work better, smoother, quieter when using a stabilizer. Whether putting your mower away for the end of the season or to let time pass between uses, the application of a fuel stabilizer is vital.
Is ethanol bad for the engine?
Ethanol can cause several types of damage to your engine. It can damage the fuel intake component of the engine and the fuel pump. Your engine can also be destroyed if the ethanol content in the fuel is too high.
Conclusion
The products discussed above are all very beneficial both to the fuel and engine. They perform well as advertised and helps consumers to work with peace of mind. However, for our top pick, we chose the Star Tron fuel stabilizer. It is one of the stabilizers available in the market that significantly increases the fuel’s shelf life. It is very concentrated, making it very economical.
This product has a unique enzyme technology that works in a wide range of engines. It eliminates ethanol-induced problems in the engine, and as a result, the engine’s performance improved drastically. This product is an excellent investment. The initial cost may be high, but you can be spared from several visits to repair shops, hence saving a lot more in the long run.
