Same 93 gas, same gas station, car feels different - is this real?

arpad_m · 11-07-2018, 01:59 PM

Just filled the tank up for winter, and as I drove home from the gas station, the car felt less powerful than before. Same pump and same 93 as the previous fill.

Is this all in my mind, or is there a difference between summer/winter gas and I happened to have hit some sort of cutover?

lgarrison34 · 11-07-2018, 02:01 PM

Gas stations change the blend they use in the winter months.

https://www.popularmechanics.com/car...ence-13747431/

Umbriel · 11-07-2018, 02:06 PM

Probably just in your mind.

Gunkk · 11-08-2018, 05:57 AM

Because no gas station owner would EVER "accidentally" swap a cheaper grade into the premium tank to make an extra $2000 bucks...

Corvette_Mike · 11-08-2018, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunkk

Because no gas station owner would EVER "accidentally" swap a cheaper grade into the premium tank to make an extra $2000 bucks...

I agree.

Airfuel · 11-08-2018, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunkk

Because no gas station owner would EVER "accidentally" swap a cheaper grade into the premium tank to make an extra $2000 bucks...

So the owner of the gas station forced the delivery driver to pump regular into the premium tanks?

Nsxmatt · 11-08-2018, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Umbriel

Probably just in your mind.

This. Even if they put 87 in the tanks (not likely) the car would still drive normal on the way home till the ECU pulled some timing. The most likely scenario is you just added 100lbs worth of weight in gas to your car.

cellsafemode · 11-08-2018, 09:36 AM

i'd vote in your mind or unrelated to the fuel. There's enough fuel in the lines and the ecu would take additional time to register the change in octane since it would be something it responds to from the combustion (there's no octane sensor in your fuel tank) that bad fuel would not be something you'd immediately notice.

arpad_m · 11-08-2018, 09:41 AM

Thanks guys for all the responses, I appreciate your help. It must have been the extra weight or just me reading too much into little things. I'll hook up the OBD dongle and check this more scientifically.

ctrlz · 11-08-2018, 09:49 AM

I definitely can feel the difference in the car going from a near-empty tank to full. It is more noticeable in some cars than others, and this is one of them.

TJay74 · 11-08-2018, 10:39 AM

Summer to Winter blend fuels will do this as well.

Silverado57 · 11-08-2018, 10:47 AM

I see the OP is in NJ. NJ definitely has a winter blend of fuel.
Have I mentioned how much I hate NJ?

nancygrl · 11-09-2018, 09:39 AM

Winter blend gas....In the same boat here in NC.

Nsxmatt · 11-09-2018, 12:23 PM

People. OP said he felt it immediately on the drive home. Winter blend is not going to alter the ECU timing that quick especially with old fuel in the lines and fuel in the tank. It's also not going to affect you power output THAT much.

11-07-2018, 01:59 PM	#1
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 11,605 View My Garage	Same 93 gas, same gas station, car feels different - is this real? Just filled the tank up for winter, and as I drove home from the gas station, the car felt less powerful than before. Same pump and same 93 as the previous fill. Is this all in my mind, or is there a difference between summer/winter gas and I happened to have hit some sort of cutover? __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

11-08-2018, 09:41 AM	#9
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 11,605 View My Garage	Thanks guys for all the responses, I appreciate your help. It must have been the extra weight or just me reading too much into little things. I'll hook up the OBD dongle and check this more scientifically. __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

11-08-2018, 10:39 AM	#11
TJay74 Drives: 17 Camaro SS 1LE & 16 Sierra AT CC Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Norman, OK Posts: 2,424	Summer to Winter blend fuels will do this as well. __________________ 2019 Corvette Z06 2LZ A8 - Halltech CAI, AWE non-catted X-pipe, Mamo V2 ported TB 592rwhp, bone stock 566rwhp 2017 Camaro SS 1LE - Procharger D1SC w/ Tial 2" BOV & Race intercooler / ARH full length catless headers / Alky meth injection system - 650rwhp on conservative tune SOLD

11-08-2018, 10:47 AM	#12
Silverado57 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 522	I see the OP is in NJ. NJ definitely has a winter blend of fuel. Have I mentioned how much I hate NJ? __________________ Kevin Luceo Non Uro

11-07-2018, 02:01 PM	#2
lgarrison34 Drives: 2017 SS 1LE HBM, 2010 SS FBO/Cam Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Ohio Posts: 174 View My Garage	Gas stations change the blend they use in the winter months. https://www.popularmechanics.com/car...ence-13747431/

11-07-2018, 02:06 PM	#3
Umbriel Drives: 2016 Camaro SS Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Bartlett, TN Posts: 1,121	Probably just in your mind.

11-08-2018, 05:57 AM	#4
Gunkk Thank you Al Oppenheiser! Drives: Red Hot A10 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 4,975 View My Garage	Because no gas station owner would EVER "accidentally" swap a cheaper grade into the premium tank to make an extra $2000 bucks...

11-08-2018, 09:36 AM	#8
cellsafemode Drives: 2016 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: California Posts: 3,491	i'd vote in your mind or unrelated to the fuel. There's enough fuel in the lines and the ecu would take additional time to register the change in octane since it would be something it responds to from the combustion (there's no octane sensor in your fuel tank) that bad fuel would not be something you'd immediately notice.

11-08-2018, 09:49 AM	#10
ctrlz Drives: 2017 2SS, 50th pkg, M6, MRC, NPP Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Ocean City, NJ Posts: 3,178	I definitely can feel the difference in the car going from a near-empty tank to full. It is more noticeable in some cars than others, and this is one of them.

11-09-2018, 09:39 AM	#13
nancygrl 雪の玉 Drives: '22 Z71 RST Silverado Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: South Posts: 3,415	Winter blend gas....In the same boat here in NC.

11-09-2018, 12:23 PM	#14
Nsxmatt Account Suspended Drives: 2017 Camaro Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Kentucky Posts: 622	People. OP said he felt it immediately on the drive home. Winter blend is not going to alter the ECU timing that quick especially with old fuel in the lines and fuel in the tank. It's also not going to affect you power output THAT much.

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