Did you know that gasoline isn’t the same year-round? Winter and summer gasoline blends are actually formulated differently to optimize performance based on seasonal temperatures, and these differences can affect how your small engines run.
What’s the Difference?
Summer gasoline has a lower volatility than winter gasoline, meaning it doesn’t evaporate as quickly. This is designed to help reduce emissions in the warmer months and prevents vapor lock in hotter temperatures. Winter gasoline, on the other hand, is more volatile, evaporating more easily to make cold starts easier and ensure engines run smoothly in lower temperatures.
How This Affects Your Small Engines
Small engines, like those in snow blowers or lawn mowers, perform best when used with the right seasonal fuel. Using summer gasoline in winter can lead to hard starts, sputtering, or even engine flooding due to its lower volatility in cold temperatures. Conversely, using winter gasoline in summer can cause vapor lock, overheating, and reduced fuel efficiency, especially in high temperatures.
Best Practices
To keep your equipment running smoothly, use winter gasoline in colder months and switch to fresh summer gasoline when temperatures warm up. If your equipment has been sitting with old fuel, consider draining it or adding a stabilizer to ensure reliable performance.
A simple fuel switch each season can make a big difference in your equipment’s performance and lifespan.
