Even though they are considered a high-value purchase, cars do require a lot of upkeep throughout their lifetime to ensure they keep running smoothly. If you want your car to keep running at peak performance this can be even more tricky, as cars can develop faults at any time throughout the year, but particularly in the winter.
One great way to ensure your motor stays in tip-top condition is using a fuel stabilizer which provides a protective layer to your vehicle’s fuel and prevents the gas from evaporating and carbon deposits from developing simultaneously.
There are lots of great fuel stabilizers on the market, all advertised with different things which make them the “best”, but the variety of options can make it difficult to know which is the best for you.
That’s why we’re here to help with this handy guide to the best fuel stabilizers money can buy. We’ve even included a buyer’s guide to aid you in your search and ensure you buy the solution that is perfect for your motor.
In a hurry?
If you can’t wait to get your hands on a fuel stabilizer, why not try STA-BIL 22214?
This excellent fuel stabilizer is top of the range, with a variety of great features which ensure your car will keep running smoothly, including:
- It keeps fuel fresh for up to 24 months making it perfect for long-term storage and eliminates the need to drain fuel before storage.
- It is effective in all gasoline engines, including ethanol blends, and ensures a quick and easy engine starts after your car has been stored.
- It also protects the engine from gum, rust, and corrosion which prolongs your engine’s life.
- One small bottle can treat up to 80-gallons of fuel.
OUR TOP PICK
Our favorite fuel stabilizer is STA-BIL 22214. This excellent product is by one of the pioneer brands for fuel stabilizers so with their great wealth of experience, there’s no question that STA-BIL 22214 is one of the best fuel stabilizers on the market.
Its formula is guaranteed to keep your fuel fresh for up to 24 months, while simultaneously protecting your engine from gum build-up and varnish, as well as rust and corrosion, for longer engine life.
This great product can ensure easy and quick starts after your car has been in storage, and is compatible with all gasoline engines, including ethanol blends and 2-cycles.
It is available in varying sizes and sets, with a 32oz bottle able to treat up to 80 gallons of fuel making it excellent value for money.
With all these amazing features there is no doubt that STA-BIL 22214 is the best fuel stabilizer money can buy.
Pros
- Keeps fuel fresh for up to 24 months
- Eliminates the need to drain fuel before storage
- 32oz treats up to 80 gallons
- Protects engine from gum, varnish, rust, and corrosion
- Effective in all fuel engines including ethanol blends and 2-cycles
- Ensures quick and easy starts after storage
Cons
- No notable drawbacks
EDITORS CHOICE
Another excellent fuel stabilizer is Briggs and Stratton 100118. We’ve ranked this product so high on the list because it offers the longest life of all the products we’ve rated as it can stabilize fuel for up to 3 years.
This product comes available in 8oz bottles which may seem small, but every bottle can treat up to 40 gallons of gas, so it is a very powerful formula. With triple antioxidant protection, it also has fuel corrosion inhibitors which further protect engine parts from corrosion.
It is compatible with all gasoline engines, and EPA compliant as well as being designed to OEM regulations, making it an excellent option if you are looking for a fuel stabilizer.
Pros
- Stabilizes fuel up to 3 years
- Compatible with all gasoline engines
- 8oz bottle treats up to 40 gallons of fuel
- Protects engine against corrosion
- Triple antioxidant protection
- Compliant with OEM standards and EPA regulations
Cons
- Only available in one size
BEST VALUE
You should also consider the Star Tron Enzyme fuel stabilizer. This fuel stabilizer is very popular, and there’s no question why when you consider everything it offers.
It is compatible with all gasoline engines and available in 8oz bottles which can treat up to 48 gallons of gas which stabilizes fuel for up to 2 years.
Once added to your fuel tank, it works actively to remove gum, carbon, and varnish damage from the tank and engine parts, while also curing and preventing ethanol fuel problems which can occur.
Additionally, it helps rejuvenate stale fuel and prevents phase separations within the tank, making engines start easily and run smoothly after storage.
With all these excellent features, Star Tron Enzyme is a fuel stabilizer you should definitely consider.
Pros
- 8oz bottle treats up to 48 gallons of gas
- Helps prevent phase separations
- Cures and protects ethanol fuel problems
- Compatible with all gas engines
- Helps rejuvenate stale fuel
- Stabilizes gas for up to 2 years
RUNNER UP
Another excellent fuel stabilizer by STA-BIL is its 22275 range. This is another excellent product by this industry giant which is available in a variety of sizes, however, its standard 32oz bottle can treat up to 160 gallons of fuel.
Unlike the other STA-BIL product on this list, 22275 fuel stabilizer is built for use with all ethanol and non-ethanol blend fuels and keeps fuel fresh for up to 12 months giving it a much shorter life.
This product works to prevent ethanol fuel related damage in engines by preventing corrosion and increasing engine power and efficiency.
As well as keeping fuel fresh, this formula also works to clean the fuel system so there really is no question that this is one of the best fuel stabilizers on the market.
Pros
- Prevents ethanol fuel related damage
- Increases engine power and efficiency
- Compatible with ethanol and non-ethanol blended fuels
- 8oz bottle treats up to 160 gallons
- Cleans fuel system and prevents corrosion
Cons
- Only protects fuel for up to 12 months
RUNNER UP
Finally, you should definitely consider the Lucas Oil 10303 fuel stabilizer. Lucas Oil is one of the biggest brands in fuel and oil stabilizers so it would be impossible to write this list without including at least one of their products.
This product is available in a variety of sizes with 1oz treating up to 1 gallon of fuel, giving you an easy measurement to decide how much you need to buy for your vehicle. It is compatible with all gasoline vehicles, including 2 and 4-cycle engines, and keeps fuel fresh for long periods of time.
Its formula works to clean, lubricate and maintain all essential engine parts including fuel pumps, carburetors, and fuel injectors, as well as preventing the breakdown of gasoline which is guaranteed to give your engine a longer life.
With all these amazing features, there’s no doubt that Lucas Oil 10303 is one of the best fuel stabilizers on the market.
Pros
- 1oz treats 1 gallon of fuel
- Compatible with all gasoline engines
- Maintains the health of engine parts
- Prevents the breakdown of gasoline while stored
Cons
- Does not give a specific timeframe of how long it will keep fuel fresh
Best Fuel Stabilizers Buying Guide
If you want to ensure your car continues to run in excellent condition, you should consider using a fuel stabilizer.
By simply adding this liquid to your tank and running your engine, it can provide a protective layer to the important mechanics of your car and prolong fuel and engine life for many years.
Fuel stabilizers are easy to get hold of because there are so many different types available, but it can be difficult to know which is the best for your car. That’s why we’ve put together this great guide full of helpful tips for identifying and buying the best fuel stabilizer for your motor.
Climate
One very important thing to consider when buying any fuel or oil stabilizers/additives is the climate.
Some gas cars are a lot more vulnerable to carbon deposits in cold temperatures than others, and so the importance of a fuel stabilizer will vary depending on climate factors. Before making a purchase you should consider the area that you live in, and also the area you drive in.
If the climate of these areas is prone to extreme weather, particularly extremely cold temperatures during the winter, you should definitely consider a fuel stabilizer. If this applies to you, you should look for a fuel stabilizer that specializes in winter storage and cold temperatures to ensure your car continues to run smoothly.
Lifetime
Another factor you should consider when buying a fuel stabilizer is the life it will keep your fuel stabilized for.
This is especially important if you are looking to store your car for a specific amount of time and need the fuel stabilizer to work during this period. Most brands offer fuel stabilizers which will protect your tank for longer than necessary, with the top brands offering at least 24 months protection.
However, if you want to store your car for a shorter period of time, there are brands that offer a shorter amount of protection. The importance of the product’s life will depend on your situation, but it is definitely something you should consider before making a purchase.
Compatibility
You should also think about compatibility between your car’s fuel type and the fuel stabilizer before making a purchase. This is a key thing you should consider as if you buy a fuel stabilizer which is not compatible with your fuel type, it will not work or could even cause damage to your vehicle.
Different brands will manufacture different models of fuel stabilizers which will cater to different engine and fuel types, including gasoline, diesel, and ethanol blends, so there are plenty of options to choose from.
Most manufacturers will advertise the fuel type they specialize in on the bottle’s packaging, however, if you are unsure you should check the technical specifications of the product to ensure it is compatible with your motor.
Brand and Experience
Finally, you should consider the brand and experience before making a purchase. Brands are often disregarded as important, but they do have a huge influence on what we perceive as good or bad value through their popularity, experience, etc.
The larger fuel stabilizer brands also tend to be the older brands which means that these companies are likely to have a lot more experience in their field, as well as a lot more customers who have experienced their products. Whereas lesser-known brands, which are usually younger, may be perceived as not as good but this necessarily the case.
There are a lot of lesser-known brands that manufacture products that are just as good as their better-known competitors, however, as they are newer they have not yet generated as great a public image.
The best way to identify if a product is good is by checking the reviews and doing research as this can be a great way to save money while still buying an excellent fuel stabilizer for your vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I add a fuel stabilizer to my gasoline car?
How often you should add fuel stabilizer to your car’s tank depends on the situation you are in. If you are looking to store your car for the Winter or are in a situation where you are going to be unable to drive your car for a few months, you should add a fuel stabilizer to the tank to ensure your car still runs smoothly once you take it out of storage.
Can you put a fuel stabilizer in a mixed gas car?
The answer to this question depends on the fuel stabilizer you are looking to buy. Each product will be tailored towards different fuel types (gas, diesel, ethanol blends, etc.) so if you want a fuel stabilizer that is compatible with your mixed gas car you should check the technical specifications of that product to see if it is compatible with your vehicle.
Is fuel stabilizer good for high mileage cars?
The short answer is yes, fuel stabilizers do work well with high mileage cars, however, the importance of using a fuel stabilizer with a high mileage car will depend on the level of upkeep you complete in your car and its overall condition and performance.