Does anyone still use "dry gas"?

[GreeCguy]

Good morning fellow Bitogers:

My niece just moved to Boston this past summer. She was born and raised in Florida and has never seen snow or subzero temps in her life so this is her first time dealing with a northern winter. She came down to visit this week and she and I were talking about winter driving and dealing with winter auto problems.

When I lived in the great white north back in the 80's, I would occasionally throw in a bottle of "dry gas" in my fuel tank so my carb wouldn't "ice up." As I was visiting with my niece, I got to wondering if anyone still uses dry gas. Since cars now use fuel injection rather than carbs, is it still necessary to add something to the gas to keep things from freezing?

Also, since the majority of gas sold today is 10 percent ethanol, is it even necessary to add dry gas?

 

[tstep]

I've only added it in my summertime windshield washer fluid when the cold weather starts and i have a summertime fluid in there. Not to gasoline in years.

 

[AandPDan]

I haven't use dry gas in years. Ever since we were forced to use E10 that is.

No problems and I'm in Western MA. It's gets a lot colder than in Boston.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I think that's about the only good thing about Ethanol.

 

[John_K]

My old Dakota was fuel injection yet still ran poorly in cold weather unless I put in dry gas. So yes I still use it.

John

 

[Reg# 43897]

Yeah, w/ alcohol-corrupted fuel, I cannot see the need for it anymore. The greater concern is phase-seperation in extreme cold such as we are currently experiencing. That's why I have taken to using supreme fuel in the last few winters - no alcohol in it around here.

John.

 

[racin4ds]

Dry gas is just isopropyl alcohol folks, save yourselves some money and go get it for .79 at the dollar store!

But since the intro of E10 it should no longer be needed.

 

[supton]

I just threw out a bottle that I've had for twenty years. It was half gone, despite never being opened. I routinely run my tanks below a quarter, but then again I fillup at least once per week. Outside one fuel gelling incident I haven't had a fuel related problem in twenty years.

 

[Donald]

While a lot is still sold in the 7-11 like stores there is no need for it. You really do not want more than the 10% in the gas.

 

[hemitom]

Originally Posted By: racin4ds
Dry gas is just isopropyl alcohol folks, save yourselves some money and go get it for .79 at the dollar store!

But since the intro of E10 it should no longer be needed.


i would recommend against using dollar store isopropyl alcohol, its generally only 50% alcohol sometimes 70%.
you want 90% and up.

 

[beast3300]

I use IsoHEET (red) every 3 to 4 months because the Catco trainer said it keeps cats a little cleaner.

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: GreeCguy
Also, since the majority of gas sold today is 10 percent ethanol, is it even necessary to add dry gas?


No! And yes you pretty much answered your own question there.

 

[Oldmoparguy1]

Originally Posted By: GreeCguy
Good morning fellow Bitogers:

My niece just moved to Boston this past summer. She was born and raised in Florida and has never seen snow or subzero temps in her life so this is her first time dealing with a northern winter. She came down to visit this week and she and I were talking about winter driving and dealing with winter auto problems.

When I lived in the great white north back in the 80's, I would occasionally throw in a bottle of "dry gas" in my fuel tank so my carb wouldn't "ice up." As I was visiting with my niece, I got to wondering if anyone still uses dry gas. Since cars now use fuel injection rather than carbs, is it still necessary to add something to the gas to keep things from freezing?

Also, since the majority of gas sold today is 10 percent ethanol, is it even necessary to add dry gas?

No.... Since the advent of E10, there is no need for any gas additives.

Wayne

 

[SrDriver]

Save your money - not needed.

 

[opus1]

Only until my stockpile is depleted. Then, as everyone pointed out, the E10 should be enough. We'll see

 

[Pop_Rivit]

I haven't needed any additives for 30+ years. Back in the pre-ethanol days fuel line freeze ups were common in sub zero weather-I dealt with several tractors with frozen fuel lines when I was still working the farm. For a time we used a product like dry gas to combat the poor winter fuel quality, but around 1980 or so the fuel quality improved.

I haven't seen, heard of or had a frozen fuel line issue in decades, even with sub zero temperatures.

 

[GreeCguy]

Thanks guys - just wanted to make sure before my niece heads back to bean town.

I'm the only one in the entire family who has ever lived in snow country before so I have become the family legend in winter weather driving - that's kinda scary when you think about it.

 

[Rick in PA]

The other issue is that modern fuel systems are so well sealed. Back "in the day" gas gaps were vented. The gas tank was constantly "breathing" due to expansion & contraction from thermal changes. Air would be drawn into the tank in the evening, moisture would condense and then you'd have water in the gas tank. I suspect this does not occur to the extent it use to.

 

[Number21]

That garbage is such a scam, somebody should sue them. It is literally nothing other than a bottle of alcohol, which of course you already have GALLONS of in your tank. As big of a scam as that miracle spring water they sell after 3:00AM on the Discovery channel.

I've tried to explain this fact to my dad at least seven times. Any time anybody runs a little rough he's still quick to tell them they should go try a bottle of gas dryer. *sigh* That is why the snake oil section at your favorite department store lives on.

 

[DoiInthanon]

Originally Posted By: GreeCguy
...back to bean town...

Umm. Dry gas - bean town? Mayhaps you were thinking of popcorn town?