Final answer:
Ethanol-blended gasoline should not be stored for more than a few months due to the potential for water absorption and fuel degradation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the United States, ethanol is often blended into gasoline at varying percentages, such as E10, E15, or E85, which contain 10%, 15%, or 85% ethanol respectively. However, not all vehicles are designed to handle higher ethanol blends, and using them can lead to lower energy performance due to ethanol's lower energy density compared to gasoline.
Due to the changes in gasoline composition and the addition of alcohol, power equipment manufacturers now recommend not storing fuel for more than a few months. This is because ethanol can absorb water from the atmosphere, which can lead to phase separation and fuel degradation over time. Storing fuel for extended periods could result in difficulties starting equipment and decreased engine performance.
Therefore, it is important to follow the recommendations of power equipment manufacturers and avoid storing fuel for prolonged periods when using ethanol-blended gasoline.