There are plenty of things to worry about when it comes time to winterize your vehicle. But is freezing gasoline one of them?
Shutterstock/ Dmitry Dven
Winter weather has an impact on more than just the way it feels when you step outside. There are plenty of things to worry about when it comes to winterizing your home and car so that the dramatically dropping temperatures don’t have any unwanted side effects. Cold weather can directly impact your car and home, and it’s a good idea to be prepared for the changing of the seasons.
But that does not mean that all of the concerns around winterizing your vehicle are worth worrying about. You may have heard before that if you keep less than half a tank of gas in your car during the winter the gasoline could freeze in place and ruin your gas tank. This might seem like a real concern at first, but it falls apart under any further investigation.
Does Gasoline Freeze?
In order for gasoline to freeze it needs to be held at temperatures of around -100 degrees F. That number will vary depending on the components that make up your gasoline (octane, for example, has a higher freezing point), but the point remains the same. The freezing point of gasoline is so extreme that it’s highly unlikely that temperatures in your area would ever drop to the point where gasoline is freezing in your vehicle, and it’s even more unlikely that anyone would be driving or want to drive in those conditions.
That does not mean that cold temperatures won’t have any negative effects on your gas tank. Condensation can bring water into your gas tank, and if that freezes it can cause a whole host of issues. The cold can also cause gasoline to break down and separate into its components, turning into a useless gel. Diesel fuel has a lower freezing point than regular gasoline, which is why fuel companies typically provide a summer and winter diesel blend.
Winter driving brings with it a lot of legitimate potential problems that it pays to be prepared for. Unless you live in an Arctic tundra, though, you don’t really have to worry about your gasoline freezing over.
FAQs
Ice can collect in the fuel line.
What happens if gas freezes in your car? ›
The biggest potential issue is any water or condensation within the fuel system. If this freezes, it can clog the fuel lines or fuel filter, stopping fuel from reaching the combustion chamber—and ultimately stopping your vehicle.
What happens to gas when you freeze it? ›
Yes, any gas or liquid if cooled enough becomes a solid. However, none of the coldest temps on earth are likely to be cold enough to freeze gasoline. However again, often gasoline stored collects water through condensation, and that can freeze, causing fuel not to flow and engines to run.
What is freezing point of gasoline? ›
The truth is gasoline freezes at -100 degrees Fahrenheit or below depending on what exactly its mixture of liquid components is on which octane freezes earlier than that. Diesel on the other hand has a higher freezing point and could run into freezing problems which is why winter diesel blends are sold out.
What happens to gasoline when it gets cold? ›
At cold enough temperatures, gas can separate and gel just like diesel. The more exposed to the cold the liquid is – think the fuel lines versus the fuel tank – the more likely this is to happen.
How do you unfreeze gas in a car? ›
Warmth: One of the simplest methods to unfreeze your fuel line is by increasing the temperature around your vehicle. Move your car into a heated garage or any warmer environment if possible. The warmth helps gradually thaw the frozen fuel line, restoring fuel flow to the engine.
How do I keep my car gas line from freezing? ›
Preventing Your Vehicle's Fuel Line From Freezing
- keep your vehicle stored in an isolated garage – keeps vehicle temperature above freezing.
- Use fuel line anti-freeze additives – removes water from fuel line.
- Keep your vehicle's battery fully charge – increases engine turnover rate in such condition.
Yes, and it happens fairly often, though generally it is the pump that fails rather than freezing. Diesel is far more prone to cold weather problems and can actually turn to gel in the fuel lines, including the hose from the pump to the nozzle.
Why won't my car start in the cold? ›
Cold temperatures affect the chemical process inside the battery and reduce its ability to hold a charge. It also thickens engine oil, increasing friction in the starter motor and forcing it to work harder. Your alternator belt is also prone to cracking in extremely cold conditions.
Why should you keep your gas tank full in winter? ›
Condensation can form in the empty part of your gas tank. In the winter, that condensation can: freeze. ice your fuel lines.
Extreme cold causes the fluids in your car to become thicker and slow-moving. Oil, wiper fluid, and antifreeze are all vulnerable to extreme cold. Oil has difficulty circulating when it's cold, and this puts pressure on the oil pump, making the vehicle sluggish and more difficult to start.
Should you fill up your car when its cold? ›
It's a smart idea to have at least a half a tank of gas in freezing temperatures. Having a full tank limits condensation that can cause gas lines to freeze when it's super cold, AAA says.
Can the cold affect your car? ›
Whether you love or hate winter weather, there's no denying that colder temperatures and wintry precipitation can have an effect on your vehicle. From low tire pressure to reduced gas mileage to a dead battery, there are various ways the cold weather in Ohio can cause problems for your car.
Can gas in a car tank freeze? ›
Gasoline does have a freeze point, but if you ever see those sorts of temperatures (in the vicinity of -100F), not being able to start your car is probably the least of your problems. Now, condensation (water) in your fuel tank can freeze and that'll cause you problems.
Can freezing temps cause gas leaks? ›
One of the little-known effects of this extremely cold weather is natural gas leaks around home (and probably business) gas meters. In this extreme cold, the steel pipes shrink to an extent that small leaks occur at a junction between the shut-off valve and the meter.
Shutterstock/ Dmitry Dven