Fuel mileage decrease when cold outside.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Mount Airy, MD
Fuel mileage decrease when cold outside.
Does anyone else have a noticeable fuel mileage decrease when it gets cold?
I noticed it this past weekend when I was on my way back from a hunting trip in OH. In early October I made the same exact trip (same route, same speed) the only difference was the temps outside. On that trip the temps were in the 70's and I got 330 miles out of a full tank. This past Saturday when I made the trip the temps were in the 20's and I only got 305 miles out of a tank.
Nothing has changed on the truck. The only thing that did change were the conditions outside.
I'm not concerned about it but 25-30 miles less per tank of gas is quite a difference.
I noticed it this past weekend when I was on my way back from a hunting trip in OH. In early October I made the same exact trip (same route, same speed) the only difference was the temps outside. On that trip the temps were in the 70's and I got 330 miles out of a full tank. This past Saturday when I made the trip the temps were in the 20's and I only got 305 miles out of a tank.
Nothing has changed on the truck. The only thing that did change were the conditions outside.
I'm not concerned about it but 25-30 miles less per tank of gas is quite a difference.
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Stephensville WI
Not only that, but if you live in one of the areas where it is mandated (THANK YOU EPA) your using oxygenated gasoline during the winter months. That alone can drop your mileage 15-20%.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 321
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Engine may run a little richer for the cold starts. Maybe you let it idle more for heat or defrost? I've noticed the same with all my vehicles. Seems mileage is best in the spring and fall. No choke, no idle for heat, and no AC.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Mount Airy, MD
I figured it was probably the winter gas formula. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't just me experiencing this.
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Tuned
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Lead Driver
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From: Gilbert
Make sure your front hubs aren't engaged as well.
I figured if you were out hunting, you may have had the truck in 4 wheel and they may not have disengaged. Mine do this all the time and kill my mileage...
I figured if you were out hunting, you may have had the truck in 4 wheel and they may not have disengaged. Mine do this all the time and kill my mileage...
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
Same here on Long Island. And I never notice a difference in my V10 between that stuff and the non-oxygenated stuff I've gotten in other states.
In reality, it's really just the COLD doing it - colder intake air means richer mixture for the engine to run right.
Just like with the old carbed vehicles, where the choke closes when the engine is cold to keep the mixture rich, EFI does the same thing.
Also, colder air means denser air - which means more oxygen in every intake stroke, which means more gas to make it stoich. WHich also means more power on tap when you slam on the gas.
Without changing driving habits to compensate, it means less mileage.
Ever wonder why some of the "miracle" gas savers that really don't work show a MARKED improvement in fleets of hundreds of trucks, but only when you tell the drivers?
In reality, it's really just the COLD doing it - colder intake air means richer mixture for the engine to run right.
Just like with the old carbed vehicles, where the choke closes when the engine is cold to keep the mixture rich, EFI does the same thing.
Also, colder air means denser air - which means more oxygen in every intake stroke, which means more gas to make it stoich. WHich also means more power on tap when you slam on the gas.
Without changing driving habits to compensate, it means less mileage.
Ever wonder why some of the "miracle" gas savers that really don't work show a MARKED improvement in fleets of hundreds of trucks, but only when you tell the drivers?
