Fuel Stabilizer: The $8 Product That Saves $200 in Repairs

If we could give every mower owner one piece of advice, it would be this: use fuel stabilizer. It's the cheapest insurance policy you can buy for your small engine equipment.

What does fuel stabilizer do? It slows the chemical breakdown of gasoline, prevents the formation of gum and varnish deposits, helps prevent phase separation in ethanol-blended fuel, and protects fuel system components from corrosion.

When should you use it? Always — not just at the end of the season. We recommend adding stabilizer to every can of gas you buy for your outdoor power equipment. Modern ethanol-blended fuel starts degrading within 30 days, and most people don't use a full tank of gas within a month.

How to use it properly: add the recommended amount of stabilizer to fresh fuel (not old fuel — stabilizer can't reverse degradation that's already happened). Run the engine for at least 5 minutes after adding treated fuel so it circulates through the carburetor and fuel lines.

Popular options include Sta-Bil (red bottle — the most common choice), Sea Foam (also works as a fuel system cleaner), and Briggs & Stratton fuel treatment. All work well. Follow the mixing ratios on the bottle.

For end-of-season storage, add stabilizer to a full tank, run the engine for 5-10 minutes, then shut it off. The treated fuel will protect the entire fuel system over the winter months.

The math is simple: a bottle of fuel stabilizer costs about $8 and treats 20+ gallons of fuel. A carburetor cleaning to fix damage from old fuel costs $50-75 in labor, plus the hassle of a mower that won't start when you need it. It's the easiest maintenance decision you'll ever make.