I posted this in the southern cali forum b/c I thought it might be relevant there, now I'm bringing the discusion here if there any explanations as to why I'm experiencing less miles per tank while nothing has changed on the car and my driving style has remained the same.

Since winter season started, I haven't been seeing the same miles out of the tank as I did in summer/fall. Could this be due to the different additive package at gas stations in the fuel due to colder temps?

tia,
-ardy

 

Hmmm...interesting question...maybe...I never knew they added more stuff to gas in the winter...Im here in NJ and its freezzing...8 degrees.

My thoughts are that the colder air may have something to do with gas????? Im no chemical engineer........

 

I've always gotten better mileage in the summer than in the winter. I read something once (I think Popular Science) that said that cold air and fuel produced more power due to a higher oxygen density, but was less efficient. If I'm remembering correctly, atomization is better when the air and fuel is warm.

 

I've noticed this also (when I lived in PA). I always thought it was because the car takes longer to heat up and is quicker to cool down, thus your car spends more time running it's rich warm up sequence. But that's just my $0.02.

 

There is a simple reason.. FAST IDLE, cold temp ENRICHMENT. Anyone remember what a choke does? Winter mileage is almost always down for that reason.

 

WTF?

You So Cals' call it winter if you have to put a shirt on

 

I lived in Virginia a few years ago, and I had a Lincoln Mark VIII. I lived out in the country with a 35 mile (1 way) trip to work. This trip consisted of 2 stop signs and 2 stop lights and 30 miles of Interstate (and 5 miles of highway). The fact that radar detectors are not legal there, and the Lincoln didn't inspire "spirited" driving made it VERY easy to track trends in fuel economy. During the summer it would get into the high 90's, and I would do THOUSANDS of miles at 31 MPG with the A/C on. During the winter it would get down to the 30's, and I would do THOUSANDS of miles at 26 MPH with the A/C off.

 

Destiny2002....
LOL that was sooo funny I was drinking coke and started laughing. It came out ma nose....dammit =)

 

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Destiny2002
[B]WTF?