Winter gas formulation/Summer gas formulation questions

archie · 03-08-07, 08:43 AM

When do they change from winter grade gas to summer? I think I want to fill up everything before that happens because I heard it cost more to make "cleaner" summer gas

. Does everybody down south also experience lower MPG like some of us in the cold north? Thanks for your input!

alstaz · 03-08-07, 09:55 AM

I have always cursed the winter blends, They seem to kill your gas mileage, although they do generally cost a bit less. I was recently reading articles that said that the chenge over was usually in late March to early April. Personally I can't wait till summer blends to come back.

archie · 03-08-07, 10:02 AM

Winter blends also seems to lower mileage for me, but I cant' figure if it is because I spend more time warming up the car or because of slower traffic due to road conditions. Some slipping and sliding of tires in snow also kills MPG.

NorCalDoug · 03-08-07, 10:03 AM

right about now is when the change occurs.

I don't know when the new stuff is released, but the refineries stop production of one blend, which causes a short term shortage...which means gas prices spike, then they produce the reformulated stuff and the prices return (hopefully) again to what was "normal".

I think each new blend reaches different regions at different times...based on local needs/ordinances, etc.