[Fresh Wind]

we need to reduce the number of blends,

How much do you think that really adds to the price?

It has to add something directly to the price, but when the winter formulation kicks in, my gas mileage drops by about 10%. So, effectively, that's a 10% price increase.

[norraad]

...more hidden costs as gas mileage drops.

Back to the Lilly Tomlin quote;

"No matter how cynical you become, it's never enough to keep up."

You should all check your MPG.

Refiners have an infinite bag of tricks to stretch & fluff up each gallon of gas at will.

So not only are you paying more for gas your getting less of it(in terms of BTU value).

Kinda like when a pound of coffee became 13oz..

[sandbar]

>>>but when the winter formulation kicks in, my gas mileage drops by about 10%. >>>

You also get better gas mileage because you probably aren't using the car AC.

[redgolum]

It has to add something directly to the price, but when the winter formulation kicks in, my gas mileage drops by about 10%.

In the winter, a lot of the "byproduct" from the summer months gets blended back into the gas. This stuff is of a higher vapor pressure, and contains less energy. So a drop in fuel economy is expected.