Hi,
Can anyone explain what the difference is between summer and
winter gas - and why my mileage drops in winter? I've heard the
winter blend is "oxygenated" - why the change and what exactly are
they doing to the gas?

Here in Illinois, my 2003 Forester XS gets 27-28 mpg in mostly
highway driving - in summer. As soon as it gets cold, that will
drop to 23-24 mpg, same driving situation. This is using same gas
brands - all with ethanol.

What makes me crazy, a friend who drives Hondas says his mileage
is same , year round. My wife's Chevy Cavalier (!), gets 29 -30 mpg
year round. Why is Subaru not able to compensate for the gas
difference?

I've tried the pull the battery cpu reset - the car just drives
poorly for awhile, then back to same situation after 2 or 3 tankfuls.
Thanks, in advance, for any info...

On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 07:04:42 -0500, Larry Davis <lgd49y@yahoo.com>
wrote:


In my area, MTBE used to be added in the winter, which was replaced
with 10% ethanol for environmental reasons.

Now that we have 10% ethanol all the time, I don't think we'll have
"winter" gas anymore.

Required fuel blending details are often explained on state motor
vehicle or consumer protection dept. websites. You may find more
specific details there, along with here:

<http://www.epa.gov/otaq/rfg/faq.htm>

In article <sdsch29f0gcrckhnc140bagc5cbaknvoho@4ax.com>,
Larry Davis <lgd49y@yahoo.com> wrote:

On long drives my Chryslers get the same, summer or winter.
Shorter trips result in higher consumption due to the warm up.
Older cars I've had, particularly the VW bug, got lower winter mileage.
My conclusion is it's mainly due to fuel control. Also with the Subaru
flat engine design it probably takes longer for warm up, because more
engine area is exposed to the cold air.
The VW bugs used to carburetor ice so badly they wouldn't idle for
several miles on cold days.

Interesting read on E85 methanol fuel in the recent Consumer Reports.
About 27% higher fuel consumption.
Plus their interesting conclusion that USA Gov. support, giving
artifically higher EPA ratings for E85 capable vehicles, is resulting in
more gas hog vehicles being built.