Winter Fuel

[Gsxrdoug]

I hear a lot of people talk about winter fuel and wonder "WHY"? Why can't you have good fuel all year around? Is it lower in octane? So if you have a tune you have to tune for winter fuel. Things that make me go hmmm.

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[Dgc333]

Winter gas has more benzine in it to make it more volatile so your car will start in the winter. The benzine does not have as much energy as gasoline and since it is a larger percentage of the volume of fuel in the tank you will get slightly less mileage. On the plus side winter gas is typically a little cheaper than summer blend.

Back prior to the early 70s all gasoline was essentially winter gas year round. In the warm weather the benzine will evaporate faster poluting the atmosphere. In the early 70s the EPA mandated the the high volatile content be reduced in gasoline. At the time there was no plans for different formulations at different times of the year. That first winter if it was below freezing and your car was cold it would not start without a blast of ether (starting fluid). Everyone had to carry a can of starting fluid with them. The following year they allowed the volatiles to be increased back to what they were for the winter months. These days there are different formulations for different parts of the country that kick in at different times.

It has no impact on octane and as a matter of fact the benzine actually raises the octane which allows the oil companies to use less more expensive chemicals to obtain the advertised octane and that contributes to the lower cost of winter fuel.

GSXRDOUG your profile says you are from Hawaii, I wouldn't think you would have a winter blend there.

 

[Gsxrdoug]

Ok now that makes sense. Thank you.

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