When do they switch to summer fuels?

[Blaine B.]

Is there a specific month or day when (or round-about guess) when summer fuels are available at gas stations?

How about in the wintertime? About what month do they start using winter blends?

 

[bjoehandley]

Not too sure, but my fuel costs and gas mileage jumps happened at the same time...................

 

[heyjpark1]

It depends on the state you are in. Here in Washington, 10% ethanol is mandated between October 1 to February 1. They may fill their tanks in September, though, so they have the fuel for the October 1 deadline. On the flip side, they have to have the gas available through February 1, which means you still may be filling up on it until March, depending on what the station's demand for gas is.

If I'm gassing up around those dates, I'll ask the station if they are using the blend.

 

[Blaine B.]

Okie! Just noticed my gas mileage went up.......not sure if its from the summer blends or my tuneup.......so yeah.

 

[whatevah]

my mileage went up... gas light just came on and I've got 220miles so far on the tank! not bad considering I'm used to 220 miles from F-E. should be able to get another 40 miles out of this one. gotta love lift+mud tires+stock gears

 

[Blaine B.]

I used to get about 263 on a full tank, I'm not suprised if its up to 280 now.....I'll have to do an accurate calculation for the next 2 fillups!

 

[Sniggs]

next Tuesday at 11:08 am.

 

[Blaine B.]

Ah, sweet.....but your lacking the seconds!

 

[RichP]

NJ is from November to April, pretty sure PA uses the same schedule. Summer fuel is easier to make, no MTBF or other additives.

 

[xrayjeeper83]

Ok I have never heard of winter or summer fuels, what is the difference?

Hell I only get 200 out of a tank (though I have 33's on stock gears and no speedo change)

Andrew

 

[RichP]

Ok I have never heard of winter or summer fuels, what is the difference?

Hell I only get 200 out of a tank (though I have 33's on stock gears and no speedo change)

Andrew

They put additives on there based on 'you let your car idle for extended periods of time during the winter', thats about it, it's one of those 'feel good' regulations. Though they might put some additives in there to help with really cold wintertime starting...

 

[xrayjeeper83]

Oh ok Dont think they do that down here in florida, seeing how it doesnt get cold.

Andrew

 

[97RedXJ]

I live here in AZ and I think only us and CA have the same blend of gas. And that really sucks when the pipe springs a leak (and this has happened) and gas prices go through the roof. I am not ok with the whole two different types of gas, i dont think it makes any sense at all. I want the cheapest gas that gives me the most gas mileage. But I guess the gas companies woudnt make their BILLIONS of dollars a year if they did that. And on a smaller note its the same with battery company's and why cant they make a battery like a AA or AAA or whatever last longer...... its all about the money.

 

[bjoehandley]

I live here in AZ and I think only us and CA have the same blend of gas. And that really sucks when the pipe springs a leak (and this has happened) and gas prices go through the roof. I am not ok with the whole two different types of gas, i dont think it makes any sense at all. I want the cheapest gas that gives me the most gas mileage. But I guess the gas companies woudnt make their BILLIONS of dollars a year if they did that. And on a smaller note its the same with battery company's and why cant they make a battery like a AA or AAA or whatever last longer...... its all about the money.

There's also some government regs involved to, where I live we have to burn a special "clean" gas with 10% ethonal) that gets worse economy than straight gasoline would. I've never seen anything saying that the cleaner pollution would counteract the greater amount of pollution created by having to burn more gas to travel the same distance.

 

[RichP]

There's also some government regs involved to, where I live we have to burn a special "clean" gas with 10% ethonal) that gets worse economy than straight gasoline would. I've never seen anything saying that the cleaner pollution would counteract the greater amount of pollution created by having to burn more gas to travel the same distance.

The Ethanol is much better than the MTBE they were using, that stuff turned out be possibly nasty and it started showing up in the ground water and food chain, calif picked up on this first.
Hence my term 'Feel Good' legislation. Laws are passed that make headlines, make people feel better and convince voters that their elected officials are actually doing something. You don't have to look any further than airport security or the ultimate 'feel good' legislation that created 'Homeland Security'..
During the 20's, 30's and 40's Germany had their version too.