Winter Gasoline Vs Summer Gasoline

BillyP · Oct 18, 2005

Did you know there is a difference? I didn't, until a couple of weeks ago. The wife just bought 15,000 gallons of summer gas (for testing gas engines through the winter) at a price of $5.564 per gallon.

MikeD74T · Oct 18, 2005

Is she interested in a used bridge ????

BillyP · Oct 18, 2005

Let me guess here... It was a concrete bridge, it caught on fire and they called you to put it out ?????

Did you save the river /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

cp1969 · Oct 18, 2005

That's a LOT of testing. I will be glad to help "test" some of it in my cars if it will help. It doesn't seem like she struck much of a bargain, either. Let me guess: She works for the government?

Summer gas has a higher vapor pressure to try to minimize fumes being lost into the atmosphere.

odleefs · Oct 18, 2005

5.564/gallon? I believe this is what is shocking (possibly a typo?). /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
If not, I could have saved your wife $30,000 @ 15,000 gallons and I still would have profited. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif (Current non-bulk price at a local 76 station 2.599/gallon)
/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Steve

thatguy · Oct 18, 2005

that is quite expensive..

But yes the EPA requires a differnt formula of gas for the summer time... it ssuppose to have a lower emissions formula.. by like may of each year all 'winter' gas has to be out of the storage tanks so you may end up getting a higher octane just so they can get rid of it..

there is also a country/city gasoline that is 'reformulated' for lower emissions as well..

gsxr1100 · Oct 18, 2005

reformulated--we have that here but I remeber reading they are stopping it. The gas sucks for performance.

MikeD74T · Oct 19, 2005

BillyP, Actualy I was thinking of the Brooklyn Bridge! That said - I appologize for my feeble attempt at humor. I certainly didn't think your wife paid that price without a good reason.
In NH the temperature runs from -45 degrees to 104. Having several diesel vehicles I'm aware of seasonal diesel fuel but was unaware the same existed for gasoline.
What is different seasonally in gasoline?
Being under the impression that modern gasoline has a short shelf life, how will this gas be stored to preserve it's summer qualities?
Are the engines being tested under summer conditions? MikeD74T

BillyP · Oct 19, 2005

My wife was told to purchase 15,000 gallons of summer blend gas. She works for a large chainsaw factory. The best I can tell, the reason the price is so high is summer fuel is out of production. That and whoever the supplier is will have to blend, store and ship as needed. 15,000 gallons of gas is about like you filling up your lawn mower, to them.

Enough of that though. The reason of my post was just to relate that there is a difference between summer and winter gas. Something I didn't know.

By the way, summer blend went for $4.05 per gallon last year.

HGM · Oct 19, 2005

I'm not real clear on the differences chemically. However they have had different blends for years. The winter fuel is needed to maintain low temperature driveability as the warm weather fuel is needed to primaraly avoid vapor lock.

A few years ago, working at a dealer in South Florida, we recieved a shipment of new Mustangs that wouldnt run. It was in the early fall. Apparently, they had already began filling the cars with winter blend fuel at the Michigan assembly plant. When they arrived to our lot, they wouldnt start. The plugs were fouled. We had to change the plugs and replace all the fuel in the tanks. Problem solved....