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Does cold weather affect gas milage?


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any info on this? I have had my car for about a month and got 25 mpg (mixed mostly highway) on my first tank then took a 175 mile trip (w/4 people doing moslty 80) and got 27 mpg for that tank. now im getting about 23/34 for a tank. In case you didnt see my info, I have a 4EAT n/a leggy. I drive normal with an occasional lead foot. it has only 2000 miles on it, so does it still need to break in more?
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Winter gas is formulated with higher volatility, and unfortunately that equates to lower energy content, ergo lower milage.

During lower temperatures, the car will need longer to warm up - car runs rich when cold = lower milage

an engine will continue to break in and seal past 2000mi, so that is also lowering your milage.

give it until spring, it will improve.

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Not only that but you would think because of running the heater it puts a strain on the motor and causes it to use more fuel as well.

OTM.

Sorry I didn't mean to start a war which mainly forum people is all about ;).
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Not only that but you would think because of running the heater it puts a strain on the motor and causes it to use more fuel as well.
Why? The heater is just like another radiator. I suppose using it could cause the engine to warm up a bit slower, but otherwise there really isn't a load on the engine like the A/C.
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  • 3 weeks later...

This is kind of funny.

I was experiencing the same problem with my '05 2.5i, I asked my dealer's service department why this was happening. They told me the same exact thing. Who knew?

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Main reasons for lower milage in cold weather:

 

1. Low temperature increases oil viscosity using lots of extra energy until engine is completely warm. Note: The dash temperature gauge measures coolant temperature only. The oil temperature takes much longer to get up to it's final value, often taking 10 to 12 miles in moderate driving.

 

2. Cold starts require a richer mixture for a longer period of time--more fuel used.

 

3. Higher volitility "winter" fuel mixes can have net-energy content that is as much as 4 percent lower than high-temp. "summer" blends.

 

4. Lower temps., snow and ice on roads often result in being in a lower gear for more of your driving cycle. Reduced efficiency and higher engine rpms = less miliage.

 

5. Even though people should check and adjust their tire pressures at least once a month, many (probably most) people don't. A 10 degree F. temp drop will reduce tire pressure 1 psi. A drop from 55 degrees F. to 20 degrees F. without adding air pressure can reduce fuel mileage by 3 to 4 percent.

Heavy Metal Killed Beethoven

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Oops! Forgot No. 6:

 

Tire rolling resistance is higher (even at proper inflation pressure) when the tire is cold and sidewalls are stiff. Moderate driving speeds (50-60 mph) will not bring the tire temps. up to what they are in the summer. More rolling resistance = more energy consumed = lower fuel mileage.

Heavy Metal Killed Beethoven

Support Classical Music

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  • 2 weeks later...

Colder weather definitely makes my gas-mileage plunge.....

 

With the additional "kick" that our LGT produces as the temperatures drop, I find that I'm even more tempted to flog her around a bit on my daily commute! And that, of course, equates to single-digit MPG readouts on the trip computer! :lol:

<-- I love Winky, my "periwinkle" (ABP) LGT! - Allen / Usual Suspect "DumboRAT" / One of the Three Stooges

'16 Outback, '16 WRX, 7th Subaru Family

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