Are you guys seeing lower mpg from winter gas ?
11-30-12, 08:16 PM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Are you guys seeing lower mpg from winter gas ?
During warmer months, i can avg 32 mpg, now i'm only getting 27, yeah the ICE comes on as soon as I turn on the car.. ice kicks in as soon as I apply the accelerator, even in the lower green zone... can't wait till spring 
11-30-12, 08:57 PM
#2
It's not just the "winter gas." EVERY ICE runs less efficiently in colder temps and the one in a hybrid is no exception. Once the cat converter is up to temp, the ICE will shut down unless you're calling for heat from the HVAC. Try it at a stop some time; if the ICE is running and has been on awhile but the interior is still cold, turn the HVAC off. The ICE should stop. Of course, that's not very comfortable in cold temps.
Last edited by BobBass; 12-13-12 at 03:00 PM.
12-03-12, 01:48 PM
#6
It's not just the "winter gas." EVERY ICE runs less efficiently in colder temps and the one in a hybrid is no exception. Once the cat converter is up to temp, the ICE will shut down unless you're calling for heat from the HVAC. Try it at a stop some time; if the ICE is running and has been or awhile but the interior is still cold, turn the HVAC off. The ICE should stop. Of course, that's not very comfortable in cold temps.
Help me out, though. I know the engine requires more fuel when it's cold outside, because it gets more air due to increased density. As a result, it would need more fuel to maintain the correct mixture. However, we also know that more air and more fuel makes more power. In my warped sense of logic, it seems like you would use less pedal to achieve the same performance. Unless this particular engine is exceptionally sensitive to air density for some reason, it seems reasonable that less pedal would offset the need for more fuel when it comes to mileage. Does that make sense, or am I completely off base?
I didn't know the ICE runs as long as you're calling for heat from the HVAC, though. That (along with a "winter blend" of gasoline with 10% ethonal) would be huge, and I suspect would account for the biggest part of the reduced mileage in cold weather. Am I close?
Last edited by User 41924; 12-03-12 at 01:52 PM.
12-12-12, 09:31 PM
#7
Racer
Another limiting factor is the temperature of the traction battery. If it's really cold the hybrid system will rely much more on the engine until it warms up. I assume it warms up with small charge/draw cycles. I believe some plug-ins allow you to set a timer so that the battery pack is pre-heated and ready to go when you expect to leave the house.
I remember one particularly bitterly cold winter morning (~ -25C / -13F) 2 or 3 years back with my Camry Hybrid, on button start it instantly started the engine too, didn't wait the normal few seconds before the engine start.
I remember one particularly bitterly cold winter morning (~ -25C / -13F) 2 or 3 years back with my Camry Hybrid, on button start it instantly started the engine too, didn't wait the normal few seconds before the engine start.
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12-13-12, 10:14 AM
#8
Really? That's so cool! Being a geek, I really like the electronics/computers in our cars! I hadn't thought much about battery management or efficiency, especially as it relates to mileage!
12-13-12, 03:09 PM
#9
Woodrow,
Actually, I think if the vehicle is THOROUGHLY warmed up, the ICE will shut down at a stop whether the HVAC is on or off. However, once the coolant temp drops below a point at which it can deliver heat, the ICE will start back up. You only notice this kind of thing at extended stops like at a drive-up business where you might be waiting awhile. As I said, once the ICE starts, you can "force" it off by shutting down the HVAC.
The calculations performed by the computers/software in these hybrids are truly mind-boggling.
Actually, I think if the vehicle is THOROUGHLY warmed up, the ICE will shut down at a stop whether the HVAC is on or off. However, once the coolant temp drops below a point at which it can deliver heat, the ICE will start back up. You only notice this kind of thing at extended stops like at a drive-up business where you might be waiting awhile. As I said, once the ICE starts, you can "force" it off by shutting down the HVAC.
The calculations performed by the computers/software in these hybrids are truly mind-boggling.
12-13-12, 07:14 PM
#10
That's correct and will alter more if you change between ECO and normal.
Woodrow,
Actually, I think if the vehicle is THOROUGHLY warmed up, the ICE will shut down at a stop whether the HVAC is on or off. However, once the coolant temp drops below a point at which it can deliver heat, the ICE will start back up. You only notice this kind of thing at extended stops like at a drive-up business where you might be waiting awhile. As I said, once the ICE starts, you can "force" it off by shutting down the HVAC.
The calculations performed by the computers/software in these hybrids are truly mind-boggling.
Actually, I think if the vehicle is THOROUGHLY warmed up, the ICE will shut down at a stop whether the HVAC is on or off. However, once the coolant temp drops below a point at which it can deliver heat, the ICE will start back up. You only notice this kind of thing at extended stops like at a drive-up business where you might be waiting awhile. As I said, once the ICE starts, you can "force" it off by shutting down the HVAC.
The calculations performed by the computers/software in these hybrids are truly mind-boggling.
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