# Does gasoline go bad?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/does-gasoline-go-bad/34816>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Created:** [August 10, 2009, 4:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/does-gasoline-go-bad/34816 "2009-08-10T04:59:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jonroscoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@jonroscoe](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jonroscoe)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 4:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/does-gasoline-go-bad/34816/1 "2009-08-10T04:59:44Z")

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I have an emergency cache of gasoline - regular octane stored in 5-gal plastic jerry cans. It’s probably 10 or 12 years old. I’ve heard a rumor that gasoline “goes bad” after some period of time. Is this true? Can I use this without concern for the effect on my engine, or should I recycle it and get a new supply?