what the heck are you guys talking about? winter gas? I live in Houston and have never seen or heard of such a thing... probably becouse we really dont have winters here... its more of a cool breeze for a few days... good thing is we get to keep running our Ls all year! no hibernation needed! Except for Noel that is... his seems to keep hibernating from what I can tell.... he does not make most of the HALO meetings

 

In some counties in Northern and Southern California, we must use a reformulated gasoline during the winter months. It is due to the pollution laws. I wouldn't be surprised if you get it in Houston as well.

Basically, the gasoline is oxygenated during the colder months to burn cleaner and reduce pollution. Typically, methanol or ethanol are added to the gas (it used to be MTBE, but that's being phased out). These alcohols, carry their own oxygen and generally make up about 10-15% of the gasoline we buy.

Due to the additional oxygen content, they will lean out the mixture up to .5 on the A/F ratio. If your chip is already optimized to a lean mixture, this means it's ping city when they go to "winter gas" as we call it. If you are not on the ragged edge of lean, you may never notice it.

A stock truck whould probably never see any difference. If fact, I may run better since they tend to be rich from the factory. One thing you will notice is about 1-2 MPG less on winter gas.

 

I just talked to sal last night and orderd my chip. he said that there is not a big enough difference to burn the chip differently. lets hope hes right. if hes not, do you think he will make me pay for a reburn??

 

J15BIG,

I'm sure if you have any detonation problems that Sal will take care of you.

 

According to Mike Troyer(Superchips dist. and an 01L owner), Exxon is reformulated(winter gas) over the entire USA--this meams it has a 'low energy' content--not good. He recommends Texaco, Amoco, and Shell for 'high energy' content--at least on the east coast.

Dan

 

Incon,
Good to hear, i hope i dont though.

 

I had to have 3 degrees of timing removed in the 2000-3000 RPM range to get rid of my detonation. It still pings a little at the upper RPM ranges on this tank of gas, but I've noticed this tendency with 76 lately. I'm going to try some Shell on the next tank.

 

ill just use the normal street program and hold off on the "hot" street until normal gas comes back. do you know when that is?