Lets rejoice once again, winter blend sucks.

[azjl#3]

Summer blend fuel, on three JL's, i got or now get 18.2-19.2 mpg on a round trip up and down 7% grades over hundreds of miles.

Current jeep gets the 18.2 summer blend, now two months into winter blend, I am getting 16.2mpg, tested over 400 miles. Using regular fuel.

That is an 11% drop in MPG.

I seem to recall decades ago winter blend was sold to reduce pollutants. Now, they claim they add butane to make the car easier to start. Back when we had carburetors, maybe that was true, EFI? It don't care about butane to start.

After more ai nonsense, winter fuel reduces CO2, summer blend reduces ozone pollution.

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[Rickythetruk]

Yeah I've noticed the same drop on my JL, winter blend is garbage for mpg but I think it's more about preventing vapor lock in cold temps than just starting issues.

 

[Heimkehr]

Yep. I've started to see the expected dip in MPG trends as our local stations exhaust their stocks of summer-blend fuel.

Winter blend gas is less efficient primarily because it contains a higher percentage of butane, which makes it more volatile and helps engines start in cold temperatures. However, this increased volatility can lead to vehicles burning more fuel to achieve the same performance, resulting in reduced fuel efficiency.

 

[Wbino]

Why do the southern States get the winter blend as it doesn't generally freeze down there?

 

[X35]

Why do the southern States get the winter blend as it doesn't generally freeze down there?

It can freeze, albeit usually briefly, all the way down into central Florida

 

[LukeDagny]

Why do the southern States get the winter blend as it doesn't generally freeze down there?

My snarky reply is not directed to you, but the gas companies.

Why? It's more profitable.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving

 

[Bayrat]

Gas stations make the switch from summer to winter fuel because they have to. It’s required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). All fuel stations must switch from summer-blend gas to winter-blend gas by the end of October.

However, I use only high test non ethanol fuel in my 392 and in my equipment, so I never notice a difference.

 

[WXman]

While summer blend IS slightly more efficient, we also have to remember that there are other factors at play during winter that kill MPGs also. Driveline fluids become more viscous. Air becomes more dense, i.e. more wind drag on the vehicle. The engine runs in open loop for a longer period of time. Tire pressure goes down. Typically the weather deteriorates and there's more wind. On and on and on....there are a lot of things about winter that destroy efficiency.

One thing I've noticed with the 3.6L Pentastar engines (I'm on my 6th one since 2012) is that they seem to HATE cold weather. I have always seen a higher % of fuel economy decrease with the P-star than I do any other engine. It's got to be something in the programming, and it's likely tied to emissions for this specific engine.

 

[yokramer]

Ive not noticed a difference with my 2L running premium. Still getting 18-20mpg

 

[Fatbob Frank]

Yep, both my Wrangler and my Powerwagon just lost 2mpgs on average...

 

[Heimkehr]

After several tanks of confirmed Winter Blend, my fuel mileage trend has indeed decreased by a consistent 1.x MPG.

That 1.x MPG reduction will increase modestly as the temperature continues to drop, which in turn leads to denser air as mentioned. If or when I install the heavier snow tire/wheel combo, that's when the trend will really take a comparative nosedive.

That's not a complaint. Some things are absolutely worth their Pay to Play fees.

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