Gas Line Antifreeze?

[BenMTL]

Recently got these additives recommended to me by a friend when I was thinking, "how does my gas not freeze during -40 winter days?". Well, appearently putting a bottle of "gas line antifreeze" is pretty common practice up here and even more so in Europe?

I did some basic research and all the online articles say how before it was definitely needed for gasoline engines, but now isn't because all gasoline has government mandate levels of ethanol in it that does the same thing (ethanol = alcohol ultimately that prevent freezing). BUT...I fill only with Shell 91 exactly because it has NO ethanol in it....Does anyone actually use these gas line antifreeze additives? How often, once a month, a small bottle with every fillup, or?

Also found this;

Most fuel line additives are based on isopropyl alcohol -- stay away from any methanol-based de-icers, they can corrode fuel system components

[MacFady]

No, never have, never have had a problem. I like to keep more than 1/4 tank of gas in the winter but really, I never worry about it. Unless you have a significant amount of water in your tank for some reason, I think you need quite a bit below -40C before gas components start freezing. In other words, I would be thinking more about the state of other fluids at that point more than gas.

If I was storing a car over the winter in an unconditioned environment I would us a fuel additive.

[seal66]

Never had an issue with fuel freezing on me either. I know I know not in Canada, but in Wyoming it can get to -30/-40F all the time. Haven't added any additives to the fuel

[BenMTL]

Are you guys filling with gasoline with ethanol or 0 ethanol gasoline?

That makes a huge difference and that is why I am asking.

[philip_g]

back in the 80's or 90's I'd run heet if it was getting around or below zero, but haven't had to in years.

[projectb7avant]

Haven't had issues either. Even in my sled it's been a long time since I've had a frozen line.

[Silveravant]

Gas doesn't freeze, only water if too much gets in the gas. Alcohol (ethanol) mixes with water and keeps it from freezing. Gas line antifreeze (dry gas) is alcohol. If you use e-gas it would take a lot of water to cause freezing.

[Alucard136]

I dont even keep my gas tank half full. The lowest here is about -20c

[BenMTL]

Gas doesn't freeze, only water if too much gets in the gas. Alcohol (ethanol) mixes with water and keeps it from freezing. Gas line antifreeze (dry gas) is alcohol. If you use e-gas it would take a lot of water to cause freezing.

That's the problem like I said....I have no idea in the U.S but up here you can buy premium gas with 0 ethanol content and I do exactly that. It also gets to -40 up here some days during the winter.

I have no idea if this is actually a problem for me because I've never used the stuff before but some of my friends do just in case. While my line has never completely frozen, maybe I've did have some symptoms of this problem (partial freezing) but didn't know because I don't know how to recognize the problem? Frozen completely = car won't start I guess (?) and you have to heat up the line with a heat gun I guess to get things moving again...But even that might be a problem since its gasoline we are talking about?

That has me worried the most...What if it did freeze completely?