As a fleet owner, there’s always something to monitor — from maintenance schedules to vehicle efficiency — so we know how challenging it is to manage a fleet of vehicles. Still, if fuel quality isn’t already on your radar, it should be. When fuel quality is compromised, it can decrease your fleet’s performance and result in costly repairs and operational downtime.

But how does bad gas get distributed, and how do you know if it’s affecting your fleet? Read on to learn about the bad gas symptoms car owners — specifically fleet managers — should watch out for, and discover how to prevent and address fuel-related issues in your fleet.

Bad Gas in Vehicle Fleets: How Does it Happen?

Before we dive into the symptoms of bad fuel, let’s first explore how fuel can be compromised:

  • Evaporation: Gasoline is primarily comprised of various hydrocarbons. Certain hydrocarbons are lighter and more volatile than others. These volatile, light hydrocarbons can evaporate over time — changing the mixture of the fuel and making it harder to ignite.
  • Oxidation: Over time, exposure to oxygen can cause gasoline to oxidize — a complex chemical process that we won’t bore you with here. The main takeaway is that when gasoline oxidizes, combustion is limited, and gum or varnish deposits can form, which may clog fuel filters, lines, and injectors.
  • Contamination: Fuel can also be contaminated by external factors. Water can enter fuel via condensation or leaks in storage tanks, and dust or dirt can be introduced via poor fuel transference methods or improper maintenance of fueling stations. Either of these contaminants can compromise the quality of the fuel and lead to engine complications down the road.

Common Symptoms of Bad Gas

1. Poor Engine Performance

If your vehicles are running on bad gas, poor performance is typically the first symptom to rear its ugly head. Poor engine performance can present itself in many ways, such as:

  • Difficulty Starting: When gas has gone bad or has been contaminated, its combustible properties can be compromised. As such, starting a vehicle with bad gas can prove difficult.
  • Hesitant Acceleration or Stalling: Bad fuel can prevent your vehicle from accelerating like it should, and in some cases, can even cause the engine to shut off entirely.
  • Sputtering or Misfiring: Incomplete combustion caused by contaminated fuel can result in sputtering or misfiring. If your engine makes popping sounds or its power feels inconsistent, it could be due to bad gasoline.

2. Decreased Fuel Efficiency

In addition to reduced engine performance, low-quality fuels can cause your vehicles to consume more fuel. Since bad gasoline doesn’t combust very well, your vehicles’ engines have to work harder to produce the power they would with normal fuel. So if you notice a sudden drop in fuel efficiency — especially in a well-maintained vehicle — contaminated fuel could be the culprit.

3. Illuminated Malfunction Indicators

Illuminated malfunction or check engine lights are some of the more obvious signs of bad fuel. While many things can cause these lights to come on, poor-quality gas is a worthy culprit since engine sensors are likely to pick up signs of abnormal combustion. So, if multiple vehicles in your fleet have their check engine lights come on after refueling, it might be time to investigate your fuel supplier.

4. Visible Exhaust

We’ve explained that contaminated fuel doesn’t burn cleanly — but sometimes you can actually see it. When your engine burns more fuel to compensate for poor combustion, you may notice thick, dark smoke emanating from the exhaust pipe. Not only can dark smoke indicate poor gas quality, but it can also lead to failed emissions inspections, adding further costs to your operation.

5. Unusual Odors

Bad fuel isn’t just inefficient and unsightly — it can also be odiferous. If you or your drivers notice a rotten egg smell — especially near the gas fill/gas cap or fuel tank area — it could be due to sulfur contamination from sulfur-producing bacteria that can thrive in fuel tanks.

While you might be tempted to brush off odorous fuel vapors so long as your vehicles perform decently, high sulfur levels can damage machinery — including your engine — due to the element’s ability to speed up corrosion.

How to Tell If Fuel Is Bad: Check These Components

So, you suspect that there’s bad gasoline in cars in your fleet, but you need empirical evidence. Often, you can find evidence of bad fuel by inspecting these two fuel system components:

  • Fuel Filter: Check your fuel filter. If it’s clogged with debris, it could be the result of contaminated fuel passing through the system.
  • Fuel Pump: If your fuel pump has been malfunctioning, it could be due to bad fuel. When varnished or contaminated fuel passes through the fuel pump, it can cause clogging or wear, ultimately leading to inconsistent performance.

Prevention Tips for Fleet Owners:

Ideally, you would prevent bad gas from causing a problem for your vehicles in the first place. But where do you start? Follow these three tips to minimize the chance of poor fuel quality affecting your fleet:

  • Regular Maintenance Checks: Ensure that your vehicles are looked after properly. Inspect their fuel tanks, filters, and other key components like injectors regularly. By maintaining your fleet well, you’ll be able to spot the signs of bad gas in your cars before it becomes a time-consuming and expensive issue.
  • Monitor Refueling: Ensure that your drivers know the risks of using cheap or questionable gas stations, as this could expose your fleet to bad fuel. When possible, only use trusted gas stations that maintain clean and secure fuel storage standards.
  • Partner with a Reliable Fuel Distributor: To avoid inconsistent fuel quality, you should consider partnering with a reliable distributor who provides quality fuel. Good fuel suppliers follow industry standards for fuel storage and handling, which reduce the risks of contamination.

Looking for Reliable, High-Quality Fuel? Partner with Venture Fuels

Don’t let bad fuel disrupt your fleet operations — partner with Venture Fuels for reliable, high-quality wholesale fuel that keeps your vehicles running smoothly. Serving the Midwest, we’re your trusted source for fleet fuel solutions. Contact us today to learn more.