Rarely using the Prius C anymore

I got laid off at the end of April. The same tank of gas that I filled up my Prius C with that week is still in my car as the month of September begins, at roughly 50 percent. I really have very few reasons to drive in the past few months. I did a few border runs for packages, and I take it out once every week or two for groceries, and occasionally to other events on rainy days. Otherwise I've been enjoying using my bike again on lovely summer days, and taking transit to most other destinations either because of bad parking situations or better flexibility.

It is not in any way economical to own a car in this situation, but the reality of my industry is that whenever I do get another job, whether in BC or Ontario, there's a very strong chance it will be in another crappy industrial park that definitely requires me to drive. And I really don't want to be so pessimistic that I'm actually imagining being out of a job for so much longer that it would save me money to sell now and buy something else later.

Anyway, one question that comes to mind is that stagnant tank of gas. The 50 percent that remains has now been there for more than 4 months. Should I start getting concerned at some point that the gasoline may go bad and thus be harmful to the car in the future?

Nexus 7 ? 4

 

Thanks everyone for the input. I am not familiar with typical fuel stabilizers. If you wouldn't mind taking a browse at Canadian Tire Online Web Site does anything stand out as an appropriate and affordable choice? I could certainly add some and refill the tank.

I'm OK for money at the moment - I'm on Employment Insurance, I have a roommate, and my expenses are stable as long as EI keeps coming through (I'm about 13 weeks out of 38). If EI abruptly cuts me off for any of various reasons I still have at least 6 months' cash living expenses plus long-term investments that I don't intend to tap.

My qualifications: I have an M.Sc. in chemistry. My field in particular is analytical chemistry - chromatography, mass spectrometry, inorganic and organic quantitation. I finished grad school 3 years ago but have only had 13 months work experience in my field since then. I am located in the Vancouver BC area and also willing to move to Toronto, Ottawa or Montreal.

When the federal government basically let go of huge numbers of scientists from all departments it really had a devastating effect on the whole job landscape all over the private sector. Unlike our neighbours to the south we currently have a government that is not interested in science. They have been busy dismantling world-renown research facilities, closing agencies, muzzling scientists in the public service, negotiating trade agreements that weaken environmental protections, and blasting the whole country with a big PR campaign about how much we need the pipelines that we don't get to scrutinize with proper environmental reviews.

Analytical chemistry jobs are not easily exportable. They haven't left the country. However they have left my salary bracket. All the jobs out there either seem to be for experts who have much more experience than me, or for entry-level workers who will accept much lower pay. Employers do not want to even hire overqualified candidates out of an oddly misplaced fear they will go and find another better-paying job that doesn't exist.

 

Apparently not! The job market is pretty terrible on both sides of the border, but the politics surrounding it are extremely different.

As a general rule, the American relationship with government is best understood in the context that the USA was founded in a rebellion. A general distrust of government is inherent in the discourse.

The Canadian relationship with government is best understood in the context that our rebellions were for responsible government, not independence. As a result the British instituted reforms intended to make government more democratic and representative. Canada was ultimately founded on good terms with the British. So while there are certainly Canadians who distrust government, the prevailing attitude is more that we aspire to have a responsible government we can trust.

Galaxy Nexus ? 4

 

Haha. Another difference: When you cross the border into the USA, the officer is most concerned with the assumption that you are coming into the country to stay forever, and will not let you in unless convinced otherwise. When you cross into Canada, the officer is most concerned with making sure you have been honest about what you're bringing into the country for the purpose of duties and taxation.

 

Heh well I just hit 4 months... clock is ticking

I am not sure about the USA. It makes things so much more complicated for a Canadian. My family lives in the Toronto & Ottawa areas and I have been away from them for 7 years. I feel like at this stage in my life I am not prepared to move to yet another city unless it's moving back towards home. I became an uncle a few months more than a year ago and I hate being so far away.

 

But anyway, back on topic - any suggestions for a fuel stabilizer?

 

How about this store brand in a similar looking bottle:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/3/AutoFluidsChemicals/FuelOilStabilizers/PRD~0380909P/MotoMaster+Fuel+Stabilizer.jsp?locale=en
All of $3.58 for 500 mL. Or $2.39 for 250 mL.