Winter blend fuel
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
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From: Central NY
Winter blend fuel
I was rightfully advised in another thread that my '01 Screw mileage is starting to suffer most likely due to winter blended fuel...so i thought I'd start a full thread on it.
Anyone know anything about the 93 Octane Sunoco sold in upstate NY?
My MPG went from around 16 to 12.6 on the last tank...and i don't think i stomped on it too much
Anyone know anything about the 93 Octane Sunoco sold in upstate NY?
My MPG went from around 16 to 12.6 on the last tank...and i don't think i stomped on it too much
Tuned
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 464
Likes: 1
From: Bismarck USA
You have no need for 93 octane. Truck was tuned for 87, unless you've done some computer work on it. Start with switching back to 87. If you're worried about gaslines freezing, you can go with 89 octane and 10%ethanol. And no, 10% won't hurt your truck. Either that or use 87 and a can of HEAT. Shouldn't need anything additive wise until below zero...
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 399
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From: New York
jeez....i have a house up in Fulton county...Caroga Lake to be exact and i use 87 and sometimes no additive and never had a problem.....i just dont let it get down below half a tank.....and even though its expensive....i use SeaFoam
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
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From: Central NY
Originally Posted by F-250 diesel
jeez....i have a house up in Fulton county...Caroga Lake to be exact and i use 87 and sometimes no additive and never had a problem.....i just dont let it get down below half a tank.....and even though its expensive....i use SeaFoam
I'm running 93 because i punched in the 93 Octane program in the Power Programmer....mileage dropped like crazy.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 399
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From: New York
it might just be the tune...more power might use more fuel...try going back to 87, or 89 setting....try out the different settings...but then again, it could just be a batch of bad gas....i usually get around 23 on the highway coming home, but last time i only got 17.7...didnt change my driving habits or anything....so im guessing bad gas
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Likes: 45
From: Central NY
Originally Posted by F-250 diesel
it might just be the tune...more power might use more fuel...try going back to 87, or 89 setting....try out the different settings...but then again, it could just be a batch of bad gas....i usually get around 23 on the highway coming home, but last time i only got 17.7...didnt change my driving habits or anything....so im guessing bad gas
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
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live in central illinois. 2001 SC 4 x 4 with 5.4 motor. Run 10% ethanol constantly. on the road at 60 MPH gets 17.5 summer and 15.0 winter due to the "winter blend". they mix the gas different for freezing temps (about 4-5 months out of the year).
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
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Winter blends have 'higher end' chemicals added for improved starting.
These evaporate at a faster rate to improve starting.
Colder temps mean higher air densities and the need for more fuel to keep the A/F ratio in normal balance. This is all detected by the OX sensors that do the large share of fuel control.
Add the cold rich starting each time and this all adds up over time and shows at the gas gage much quicker.
Further, add cold differencial fluids and trans fluid drag that never quite gets the same as warm weather running.
No way around it.
These evaporate at a faster rate to improve starting.
Colder temps mean higher air densities and the need for more fuel to keep the A/F ratio in normal balance. This is all detected by the OX sensors that do the large share of fuel control.
Add the cold rich starting each time and this all adds up over time and shows at the gas gage much quicker.
Further, add cold differencial fluids and trans fluid drag that never quite gets the same as warm weather running.
No way around it.
Last edited by Bluegrass 7; Jan 24, 2007 at 10:24 PM.
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Senior User
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Bluegrass7 nailed it.
Actually, when it comes to volitility-ability to vaporize- winter fuel is better.
BUT since it hasnt really been all that cold latley.... maybe the oil companies are still sending a fall/spring mix, and if its been colder out you might get crappier mileage, or just the fact that your warm up time is longer.
Actually, when it comes to volitility-ability to vaporize- winter fuel is better.
BUT since it hasnt really been all that cold latley.... maybe the oil companies are still sending a fall/spring mix, and if its been colder out you might get crappier mileage, or just the fact that your warm up time is longer.