# Gasoline, how long does it last? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 7, 2003, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gasoline-how-long-does-it-last/217596 "2003-12-07T19:45:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Juliotheman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@Juliotheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Juliotheman)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gasoline-how-long-does-it-last/217596/1 "2003-12-07T19:45:56Z")
I have some gasoline (20:1) oil mix for my (2 stroke) snow blower. I mixed 2 gallons of it 3 years ago now. I have been using it the last 2 seasons. Is it still good to use? The snowblower seems to like it. The oil, did have a fuel stabilizer in it. ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gasoline-how-long-does-it-last/217596/2 "2003-12-07T20:03:33Z")
The [El Cerrito Fire Department](http://www.el-cerrito.com/fire/power_safety_issues.html) says the shelf life of gasoline is 6 months. [Another site](http://nature.gardenweb.com/forums/load/camping/msg081712464196.html) has a discussion of gasoline relating to outboard motors that get only seasonal use. ---
**Author:** ![Juliotheman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@Juliotheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Juliotheman)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gasoline-how-long-does-it-last/217596/3 "2003-12-07T20:34:21Z")
I always thought it was 6 months myself. I used the two year old gas with no issues last year. I guess I will try the 3 year vintage this season and see how it goes. 🙂