Gas stations offer cheaper winter blend

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Colder temperatures mean heavier jackets and a switch from the summer blend of gasoline to the winter blend.

The difference between the two types is an additive that gets put in gasoline in the summertime in order to reduce pollution that the summer heat can cause.

"The cars run hotter in the summertime. The heat, of course, is worse then, so the additive they put in just makes the car run better, cleaner,” said Gary Leyden, Manager of Welker Tire and Alignment and Welker’s Gulf.

The summer additive comes with a cost of about 10 to 15 cents per gallon more than the winter blend.

Not everyone feels that we can afford to pay more at the pump, even if that extra money goes toward helping our environment.

"I think we should have the cheaper gas all year long. The taxes on the gas are so high and it makes the gas that high. It's hard to get around anymore," said Lawrence Conway of East Longmeadow.

Others recognize the environmental importance, but if prices are too high, lowering the cost of gas is more important.

"I think they should have the cheaper blend all year long. It's cheaper for the people and everybody who has to go to work, they'll appreciate that. I believe the price of gasoline will go down. Hopefully then, at some point in time, we could kick in with the other blend," said Jim Pisarcik of Feeding Hills.

Now that gas stations are transitioning to the cheaper winter blend of gasoline you're unlikely to see a big change at the pump.

"The way that the prices have been going up I don’t' think they're going to notice it at all," said Leyden.

The winter blend of gasoline is sold from late September to May.