Gas formulations change by season in CA?

FogCityM3 · 12-05-2015, 01:46 PM

According to this C&D article, where an Dinan tuned M4 was putting up numbers that were slightly faster than stock, Dinan provided some explanations (or excuses) as to why the Dinan tuned car didn't perform better. One of them was summer vs winter formulations of gasoline in CA:

"Also, California’s unique summer blend of fuel prioritizes smog reduction over power production, says van der Schoot. In their experience, BMWs are very sensitive to octane differences and fuel quality, the computer aggressively dialing back the ignition to prevent pre-detonation."

This purports that summer gas robs some power vs the formulations in the winter...does anyone know whether this is true, or is this part of an excuse-fest?

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...ed-test-review

Edward · 12-05-2015, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FogCityM3

According to this C&D article, where an Dinan tuned M4 was putting up numbers that were slightly faster than stock, Dinan provided some explanations (or excuses) as to why the Dinan tuned car didn't perform better. One of them was summer vs winter formulations of gasoline in CA:

"Also, California’s unique summer blend of fuel prioritizes smog reduction over power production, says van der Schoot. In their experience, BMWs are very sensitive to octane differences and fuel quality, the computer aggressively dialing back the ignition to prevent pre-detonation."

This purports that summer gas robs some power vs the formulations in the winter...does anyone know whether this is true, or is this part of an excuse-fest?

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...ed-test-review

It is 100% true. Winter blend is noticeably better in our cars. My friends who work in energy all confirm this.

javarithms · 12-05-2015, 02:03 PM

My understanding from reading the article below is that it's the other way around.

Here is the excerpt from the article that claims winter gas has less energy than summer gas:

Quote:

Well, basically, winter blend gasoline has a larger percentage of butane in it. And since butane is cheaper and has less energy, winter blend thus costs less and gives us a lower MPG when we burn it.

https://itisscience.wordpress.com/20...-a-difference/

RAL9 · 12-05-2015, 03:51 PM

Related question: if "BMWs are very sensitive to octane differences and fuel quality" as the article states, where does everyone get their gas (new to me owner - 2008 e90 M3)?

redpriest · 12-05-2015, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAL9

Related question: if "BMWs are very sensitive to octane differences and fuel quality" as the article states, where does everyone get their gas (new to me owner - 2008 e90 M3)?

Chevron, and only a high quality Chevron at that. Shell if there's no Chevron in sight. VP Racing fuel 101 if it's available ^_^

Edward · 12-05-2015, 05:40 PM

Shell about 46 in 50 fill ups and if I must I'll go Chevron. 76 if I'm in a super hurry and that's it. The only way I go below those would be in a pure emergency like if I ever found myself coasting into a station. Even then I would get a gallon and then go find a real gas station.

redpriest · 12-05-2015, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward

Shell about 46 in 50 fill ups and if I must I'll go Chevron. 76 if I'm in a super hurry and that's it. The only way I go below those would be in a pure emergency like if I ever found myself coasting into a station. Even then I would get a gallon and then go find a real gas station.

Funny that we're opposites in gas choices.

8600RPM · 12-05-2015, 06:19 PM

Vp 100 octane from pump

jphughan · 12-05-2015, 06:34 PM

Summer blend contains more anti-pollutants because the higher temps allow fuel pollutants to be more easily absorbed into the atmosphere where they do more damage. But California also has the issue of only allowing 91 octane at typical gas stations.

aus · 12-05-2015, 08:02 PM

It's just another way for the oil companies to justify a bump in the price as the refinery has to change over from one blend to another.
Another example of California making things more difficult and complex than it really needs to be.

12-05-2015, 01:46 PM	#1
FogCityM3 Colonel 499 Rep 2,400 Posts Drives: M3 (E90) & Porsche GT3 RS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	Gas formulations change by season in CA? According to this C&D article, where an Dinan tuned M4 was putting up numbers that were slightly faster than stock, Dinan provided some explanations (or excuses) as to why the Dinan tuned car didn't perform better. One of them was summer vs winter formulations of gasoline in CA: "Also, California’s unique summer blend of fuel prioritizes smog reduction over power production, says van der Schoot. In their experience, BMWs are very sensitive to octane differences and fuel quality, the computer aggressively dialing back the ignition to prevent pre-detonation." This purports that summer gas robs some power vs the formulations in the winter...does anyone know whether this is true, or is this part of an excuse-fest? http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...ed-test-review
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12-05-2015, 03:51 PM	#4
RAL9 Private 6 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 6MT Jerez Black Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: San Francisco CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 Z4 3.0i [0.00] 2008 M3 E90 [0.00]	Related question: if "BMWs are very sensitive to octane differences and fuel quality" as the article states, where does everyone get their gas (new to me owner - 2008 e90 M3)?
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12-05-2015, 05:40 PM	#6
Edward Colonel 377 Rep 2,982 Posts Drives: 2013.9999 E92 Jerez ZCP Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2)	Shell about 46 in 50 fill ups and if I must I'll go Chevron. 76 if I'm in a super hurry and that's it. The only way I go below those would be in a pure emergency like if I ever found myself coasting into a station. Even then I would get a gallon and then go find a real gas station.
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12-05-2015, 06:19 PM	#8
8600RPM Lieutenant Colonel 657 Rep 1,749 Posts Drives: e92 m3 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	Vp 100 octane from pump
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12-05-2015, 06:34 PM	#9
jphughan Brigadier General 594 Rep 4,488 Posts Drives: '16 Cayman GT4 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Summer blend contains more anti-pollutants because the higher temps allow fuel pollutants to be more easily absorbed into the atmosphere where they do more damage. But California also has the issue of only allowing 91 octane at typical gas stations. __________________ '16 Cayman GT4 (delivery pics, comparison to E92 M3 write-up) Gone but not forgotten: '11.75 M3 E92 Le Mans \| Black Nov w/ Alum \| 6MT (owned 5/2011 - 11/2015)
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12-05-2015, 08:02 PM	#10
aus Major General 892 Rep 9,032 Posts Drives: Odysse Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	It's just another way for the oil companies to justify a bump in the price as the refinery has to change over from one blend to another. Another example of California making things more difficult and complex than it really needs to be. __________________ Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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