Do you notice that your car gets fewer kilometers out of a full tank in autumn and winter? This may be partly due to the petrol you are filling up with. Winter petrol has a different composition than summer petrol, meaning you get slightly less energy per liter. Fortunately, there is a good reason for this: your engine starts more easily with it at low temperatures. Discover how winter petrol works, how much range you might lose, and what this means for your fuel consumption.
What is winter petrol and why do you fill up with it from October?
Just as there are summer and winter tires, there is also summer and winter gasoline. In the Netherlands, different requirements for the composition of gasoline apply from October 1 to April 30. During this period, summer gasoline makes way for winter gasoline.
You do not need to do anything special for this, nor do you need to look for another petrol station. Fuel suppliers handle the transition automatically. Whether you fill up with Euro 95 (E10) or Euro 98 (usually E5), the petrol has been adjusted to the applicable seasonal requirements.
What is the difference between summer petrol and winter petrol?
The main difference lies in the chemical composition. Winter petrol contains more butane, a component that evaporates more easily. This is especially useful when the temperature drops.
Why does winter petrol help with a cold start?
At low temperatures, petrol evaporates less easily. As a result, it can be more difficult to start a cold engine. The higher volatility of winter petrol helps the fuel evaporate well, even on cold mornings, so that the engine starts more easily.
In the summer, that advantage is less important. Due to the higher temperatures, gasoline evaporates more easily on its own. If the fuel were too volatile, this could lead to excess gasoline vapors and, under certain circumstances, vapor bubbles in the fuel system. Therefore, summer gasoline contains components that evaporate less easily.
Do you get less mileage on a full tank with winter petrol?
Yes, winter petrol generally has a slightly lower energy content per liter than summer petrol. This is because the composition differs. According to information provided by Shell, the difference can be approximately 100 litres per liter.
With a 50-liter tank fill, that amounts to about five kilometers less range. You probably won't notice the difference immediately while driving, but over a full tank, it can add up.
Other factors also influence your fuel consumption.
The petrol you fill up with is not the only factor that determines how many kilometers you can drive. In winter, other conditions also affect fuel consumption, such as:
- A cold engine that has not yet reached operating temperature.
- The use of heating and other electrical systems.
- Low outside temperatures and wintry driving conditions.
- Many short trips where the engine remains relatively cold.
These factors can have a greater impact on your consumption than the difference between summer and winter petrol. So there is no need to worry immediately if you have to refuel a little more often in the winter.
Is winter petrol more expensive than summer petrol?
Winter petrol is not automatically more expensive or cheaper than summer petrol. The price at the pump is determined by factors including the oil price, taxes, and production costs. As a motorist, you do not need to make any adjustments. The fuel is automatically adjusted to the season, and you can simply continue refueling as usual. The difference lies primarily in the composition and properties of the petrol, not in a separate type of fuel requiring a special pump.
What does winter petrol mean for your mileage log?
Do you track your business mileage with a trip log ? Then it might be interesting to compare your fuel consumption in different seasons. Winter petrol can cause a small difference in range, but temperature, the length of your trips, and driving conditions also play a role.
A trip log records which trips you make and how many kilometers you drive. It is not a direct measurement of your fuel consumption, but it can help provide insight into the distances driven and the use of your car.
Winter petrol: easier to start, slightly less range
Winter petrol is specially formulated to make it easier for your engine to start at low temperatures. On the other hand, the energy content per liter is usually slightly lower, meaning you can drive slightly less far on a full tank.
The difference remains limited: according to the provided information, 50 liters can amount to about five kilometers. Moreover, other winter conditions play an important role in your fuel consumption. So you do not need to change your refueling habits: the change of season happens automatically.
