The Curse of Winter Blend is upon us

Here in PA and I believe all across the US now (thanks EPA), we are experiencing the double-barreled curse of Winter Blend with higher prices (maybe only a nickle/gallon) and reduced efficiency. In my case I loose about 2 mpg with no change in driving style. I assume, though have no metrics my hp is down too. Certain areas (SE PA) are further cursed by extra oxygenation. Makes it worth a trip across county lines to fill up.

Car and Driver offers this easy read: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15339380/the-vapor-rub-summer-versus-winter-gasoline-explained/

As usual, YMMV

 

Yeah you loose about 4.72 peak horsepower on winter blend.

 

I agree, my mileage takes a decent hit with winter blend. Also in Pa.

 

Didn't buy a truck to worry about gas mileage!

 

I just noticed I had a drop of 2 mph the other day.

 

Most of the MPG loss is due to the longer warm up time on the engine. Better MPG when it is warmed up.

Put the trip MPG on your screen, drive somewhere starting with a cold engine. Make sure its long enough to get up to operating temp. Then shut it off, turn it back on and drive back to where you started. Most likely your return trip MPG will be higher starting with a warm engine. This is of course assuming you didn't drive downhill one way and uphill going back. Or tailwind/headwind.

 

I am not disputing your statement, but I will point out the temps here in PA are still tee shirt weather with highs near 70's and over night lows in the 50-60's. And, for what it's worth, I wasn't using the MPG screen for my comparison, rather the MPG as calculated at each refill. Certainly once it actually gets cold there will be another penalty to pay. Right now, I think this is gas induced.

 

I'm seeing it too with my last tank here in WI. Reduced MPG.

 

Figured it would be cold there by now. I have a log of every fill up I've had in my truck in Excel... anyway, I usually seem to drop about 2.5 to 3 MPG per tank in the worst part of winter. I have not seen a decrease yet this year.

I generally figure 1 to 2 MPG loss for winter blend and 1 to 2 more for the added cold temps. So roughly 2 to 4 MPG loss per tank in the winter.

 

My tires were all low from the temperature change, I aired them back up to 35 and my mileage has recovered for now

 

Between my roof rack, bed bars, lack of air dam, and massive pipe strapped on the rack, I've basically given up on good fuel economy at this point. If I can get 20 mpg, I'm happy.

 

My wife’s Prius goes from 50mpg to 44mpg on that winter crap.

 

In the article you referenced it states, "... 1.7 percent more energy than winter gasoline. ". If that's the case, the winter blend shouldn't make that much of a difference. Could the colder winter temperatures be playing a factor here?