Is summer blend gasoline finally here?

[04SE]

I have noticed my MPG slowly increasing over the past 2-3 weeks here in central IL. My driving habits are still the same, slow & steady and my route/trips are the same as they have been. However, my tanks of fuel are now lasting ~390 miles instead of ~350. The only reason I could think of for the change was the winter blend was finally out of the tanks and summer gasoline blends were finally here.

Anyone else notice this?

 

[Chris Meutsch]

Yes, OH/IN/MI/NY travels.

 

[powayroger]

I've noticed that too. My mpg in my civic was around 37 and now it's been back up to 40 with no change in habits.

 

[KrisZ]

Perhaps the raising temperature has something to do with this?

Personally I don't believe there is a summer and winter mix, at least for gasoline, diesel is a different story.

In Canada we have 10% ethanol mix all year round, so what can they do to "winterize" the gas?

I think that a decade or more ago, when ethanol was not mandatory, this probably was true, blenders added ethanol during winter time only to lower freezing point and prevent water separation, but now we have ethanol all year round.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Perhaps the raising temperature has something to do with this?

Personally I don't believe there is a summer and winter mix, at least for gasoline, diesel is a different story.

In Canada we have 10% ethanol mix all year round, so what can they do to "winterize" the gas?

I think that a decade or more ago, when ethanol was not mandatory, this probably was true, blenders added ethanol during winter time only to lower freezing point and prevent water separation, but now we have ethanol all year round.




The oil companies have confirmed that there is a summer/winter blend. Winter gas uses a higher concentration of butane which is cheaper, and vaporizes easier at low temperatures.

 

[tinmanSC]

Originally Posted By: Nick R
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Perhaps the raising temperature has something to do with this?

Personally I don't believe there is a summer and winter mix, at least for gasoline, diesel is a different story.

In Canada we have 10% ethanol mix all year round, so what can they do to "winterize" the gas?

I think that a decade or more ago, when ethanol was not mandatory, this probably was true, blenders added ethanol during winter time only to lower freezing point and prevent water separation, but now we have ethanol all year round.




The oil companies have confirmed that there is a summer/winter blend. Winter gas uses a higher concentration of butane which is cheaper, and vaporizes easier at low temperatures.

^ truth ^

 

[Artem]

^ Either way i doubt its enough to effect MPGs THAT much. Maybe a couple percent at most.

Its cutting through the cooler, denser air that effects our gas mileage more then anything.

I'd love to get a some winter gas and run in during the summer to see if my mileage changes, if any.

I have four 5 gallon gas jugs and i will try this experiment next year, just for kicks and jiggles.

I just don't buy it (winter blended gas being the sole reason for lower MPGs)

 

[ChuckBerry]

In terms of gas mileage, you get better mileage on summer blends than winter blends because the summer blend gasoline has about 2% greater energy value than winter blend.

http://info.bellperformance.com/blog/bid/49483/Fuel-Mileage-Dropping-Blame-The-Winter-Blend-Gasoline

Of course, part of the MPG loss in winter is the engine getting to operating temperature more slowly, and thus not burning fuel as efficiently.

 

[Sayjac]

Quote:
Quote:
Perhaps the raising temperature has something to do with this?

Personally I don't believe there is a summer and winter mix, at least for gasoline, diesel is a different story.

In Canada we have 10% ethanol mix all year round, so what can they do to "winterize" the gas?

I think that a decade or more ago, when ethanol was not mandatory, this probably was true, blenders added ethanol during winter time only to lower freezing point and prevent water separation, but now we have ethanol all year round.




The oil companies have confirmed that there is a summer/winter blend. Winter gas uses a higher concentration of butane which is cheaper, and vaporizes easier at low temperatures.

True that. And, as more proof, according to this 5/12/11 report "The Pennsylvania Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association made a rare, and "pretty significant" request this week that state and federal officials temporarily waive the requirement that stations in Allegheny and 10 surrounding counties sell 7.8 RVP or "summer blend" gas, said John Kulik, executive vice president."

And another article here on the changeover to summer blend. But, I would agree that getting the engine to operating temp quicker would also be a factor.

Can't say I've noticed any mileage change yet. But, in my very local area (5miles) gas dropped to $3.74 at 3 stations for one day, the next day two of the 3 stations were 19 cents higher at $3.93, the other only back to $3.83.

 

[NateDN10]

Temperature makes a far greater difference than gasoline content. When your engine is in open-loop warmup mode for the first 5 to 10 minutes of every trip, it adds up.

 

[MNgopher]

Yes, there is a difference between summer and winter gasoline. Winter gas is made to have a higher RVP value to promote better starting in cold weather, among other things.

Is it the sole reason for suddenly noting higher fuel mileage? Not a chance. Is it part of the reason? Yes.

Time operating while cold, time while all lubricants (not just engine oil) are cold, etc... all add up in colder weather, and all rob a vehicle of fuel mileage.

 

[Spyder7]

Can't tell if summer blend is here yet or not, mainly for the reasons regarding cold temperature performance already given, combined with the fact that we're still seeing a lot of early spring like variation (even though its near summer by the calendar) in our local weather. Also, on the fuel side, its the prices and which way they might go that are capturing more of my attention than whatever modest mileage gain I may be seeing at this time of the year (due again to our mixed spring weather being all over the place).

-Spyder

 

[HTSS_TR]

I think summer blend is starting on May 01 in most states, and April 01 in California. California summer blend may cost up to 15 cents a gallon more to produce than winter blend, couple with higher gas tax, we usually pay about 25-45 cents a gallon more than national average.

According to EPA, summer blend contains about 1.7% more energy than winter-blend gas, which contributes to the summer blend’s slightly better gas mileage. My guess is 1-2% better mileage which is buried under variations of driving conditions.

 

[Whimsey]

In my part of northern NJ we have the same cr*ppy blend of ethonal gasoline all year round. It increases smog and reduces my mpg. Gotta love the gov!

Whimsey

 

[subiedriver]

All I know is, I've gone from a consistent 29 mpg during the winter month's, to around 30-31 mpg now. The weather is slowly getting warmer, which is a major factor, but I think the gas blend helps too.

I'm hoping that by June or July, when its 85 or 90 degree's, I can get back up to 33 mpg, which is what I was doing last summer, pretty consistently.

 

[Virtuoso]

The last tank in our Malibu also had the highest mileage of this year.

Unfortunatly, my savings evaporated with the 20 cent/gallon price increase the night before.