Winter Blend Gas

[Tight Lines]

Is there a way to tell when the gas stations switch over to Winter Blend? Would the attendant know or is there a website?

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[SinisterSHO]

[MENTION=917]1quick[/MENTION]

 

[Thirdgen89GTA]

I usually assume they switched over when I see a consistent drop in my MPG for the week. I average between 25-26 in the summer. And when they switch over it drops about 1MPG. Then when I put the winter tires on, I see about a 2MPG drop from the extra rolling resistance.

 

[b4black]

EPA requires summer gasoline through September 15th. From there it starts to drift up. True winter gasoline doesn't start until November.

 

[1quick]

they have not started making it yet, I can post when they do but I doubt it will be till sometime in October unless we get a cold snap

 

[Ear Rak]

I've always wondered....

Whats the actual difference between the two?

 

[1quick]

I've always wondered....

Whats the actual difference between the two?

mainly butane content, they use that to raise the vapor pressure to help cars start easier in the cold weather

 

[Tight Lines]

Thanks for the info, appreciate if you could post up when they make the switch.

 

[b4black]

Higher butane leads to lower BTU/gallon for winter gasoline. The difference in BTUs is about 2-3% from summer to winter. BTU content is directly related to fuel economy, so expect to see a similar drop in fuel economy from summer to winter.

The drops happen slowly in steps from summer to winter, so it's nearly impossible to see that as it happens. They are based on a monthly schedule, not the outside air temperatures. The biggest jump occurs when the EPA summer season ends on September 15th.

 

[1quick]

they started making it about a week ago for those that care probably already at the pumps or very close

 

[Mook]

The road ranger by me is testing 83% for the corn still.

 

[1quick]

I dont know anything about dat corn blend

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Any info on winter blend diesel?

 

[1quick]

I dont really do anything with diesel I dont know much about it to be honest

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

No worries, the price seems to sky rocket so I assume they're adding something for gelling.

 

[VenomousDSG]

Yea, price has gone up a bit over the past week. At least 30 cents here.

 

[P40E]

I take a guess that we don't have it yet . It's lame the price goes up the least two weeks. So it nulls the cheaper winter gas money savings.

 

[torquelover]

While we're on the subject I see a mpg increase by filling with premium on both of my non-premium required cars. Is it due to the pumps by me being up to 10% ethanol in reg-mid grade while premium does not have ethanol?

 

[chris101]

Does the same hold true for Winter formula Diesel (not until November?)

 

[Ti28]

Just my .02

Don't ever just rely on the pump to be good enough for anti gelling.

Buy a bottle of stuff and dump it in when filling. Do that every tank and you won't have an issue.

When they went to super low sulfur, the gelling increased 10 fold. The 1st winter was a nightmare.

 

[Tight Lines]

Thanks 1quick.

 

[chris101]

We don't drive our truck in winter actually (it gets put into storage with the race car and trailer) and we usually try to get old-skool biodiesel since our 2001 duramax doesn't so as well with the new ultra low sulfer (not as good lubrication) blend..


..I just know the bio content goes down with winter formula too unfortunatley ....I heard it can be 25% in summer but 5% or less in winter

 

[1quick]

Summer blend is being made now, not sure how long till it hits the pumps

 

[Thirdgen89GTA]

Can't wait till I can get the good gas back.