Winter blend gasoline is a type of gasoline that is used during the colder months of the year, typically from September to April. The main difference between winter blend and summer blend gasoline is the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP), which is a measure of how easily the fuel evaporates at a given temperature. Winter blend gasoline has a higher RVP than summer blend gasoline, which means it evaporates more easily and allows gasoline to ignite more easily to start a vehicle during cold temperatures. This blend is cheaper to produce, which results in lower gas prices at the pumps from late September through late April.

Winter blend gasoline contains more butane than summer blend gasoline, which is less expensive compared to other gasoline ingredients but also helps the gas ignite in lower temperatures. However, this added butane makes the gas slightly less energy-efficient. During the winter gas period, gas prices may drop from 10 to even 30 cents per gallon, but you may also notice slightly lower gas mileage overall. To mitigate this decrease in gas mileage, it is recommended to keep tires properly inflated, avoid rapid acceleration and braking, and use cruise control on the highway when it’s safe to do so.