When do stations in the Northeast switch to winter fuel?
 

It's finally starting to get cold here in NJ, and I'm wondering when the fuel retailers switch to winter fuel. Also, do they make the change in one step, or do they change the blend in a couple of steps as it gets progressively colder?

I've asked the guys at a few gas stations and as usual they had no idea what I was talking about.

Thanks,

Bert

I work in a Texas refinery so I can't say for sure about NJ. We make winter diesel at the refinery from October 15 to March 14. Then there will be some lag at the terminals and the stations as the winter diesel mixes with the summer.

That would explain the spike this week from 2.89 to 3.19!!! :furious2:

I believe they anticipate the next 30 days of weather when prepping the fuel as it's loaded on to the truck. it's a gradual process going in and coming out of the winter season.

October 15 will start the gradual change over to winter fuel. Total change over to be complete by Nov. 1 in Western New York.;)

Keep tabs on your mpg. When mpg drops, it's winterized fuel.

I imagine they start delivering winterized fuel way ahead of cold weather so as not to risk gelling (sp?) in the storage tank. Or do storage tank temps not vary much throughout the year?

Sixto
87 300D

Sixto,
thanks alot for that info, was wondering why I suddenly lost 2 mpg. Diesel fuel is such a ripoff almost makes me want to sell my car.

Jim

Guess the winterized fuel has made it to WV. Not only did we get a 20 cent spike in price, but the mileage took a dump too. Bah!!!

AHHHH it's all making sense now.....big jump in price and much lower mpg. We have it in southern Michigan then. Time to wake the gasser up for winter.

I think we are on it now; whenI fill up I'll check the mileage, but judging by where the guage is, I know its going to be about 21.

I get my fuel from a very high volume truck stop, so the switch over is probably very quick.

Yep...

I've gone from 28 - 29 mpg in my '90 350SDL to only 25 - 26. I'd say, the past couple of tanks.