lexus114

Have any of you out there in PA noticed really low mpg`s this winter? I think they are double dosing the Ethanol in the fuel or something. I`m at 15.5 mpg`s right now on Premium fuel! And my FIL`s Lincoln MKZ`s millage is down to where i`m at also. What gives around here? I never got below the high seventeen`s (and that was rare) on my 2001 RX during winter time.

RX330inFL

There is a max amount of 10% ethanol allowed by law at this time.

LEXRX04

yeah kinda the same thing here in Ohio...winter states get the "bloat" it sucks...but nothing you can really do

MerlinT

Usually: +/- 17-18 Mpg. But last week has been a very cold one (less than -35, -40/-50 with the Wind ) , so it was more around 16.5.

lexus114

That`s still better than my average right now. But you also have the 3.5L motor. They are better on fuel anyway.

RMB350

Sorry for the late reply however I'm averagine about 20. Just had the front and rear transfer fluid changed so I'm hoping this will add to it. Wishful thinking, but oh well..

jamieZ

Colder weather does drive down gas mileage. More resistance with cold oil/grease in engine/ transmission and anywhere there's grease. It's sucks but every vechicle experiences it. I know, here in Ontario Canada we have had a close to normal winter this year. Lots of Cold...

hypervish

I'm seeing a 3 mpg loss, same loss as previous winters.

MeryLexmas

2007 400h dropped from an average of 28.8 to about 25.5 this winter. On a very cold few weeks it dropped to 24.4. That's my worst ever.

Psychocndy

The colder, denser air can negatively impact economy in a number of ways. This thread does a pretty good job of identifying a number of them (see below). I think the air/fuel ratio is one of the larger impacts. Other things being equal, since there is more air, you need more fuel in order to maintain the same A/F ratios.

http://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/f...-vs-mpg-16832/

1koolfella

iTrader: (1)

I saw the news talk about the refineries changing from the winter mix to the spring mix of fuel which is also a factor in increasing fuel prices. They failed to explain what is winter mix and spring mix?

RX330inFL

Easy to google that information:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars...rence-13747431

1koolfella

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the info as always RX330inFL.

RX330inFL

Always funny (to me) when people bad mouth winter fuel for poor gas mileage when in fact the refineries would produce that stuff year round if they could and in the old days they did just that. In the refining process there are a great many resulting organic compounds in addition to gasoline which comes out from the crude oil. To get to the current summer blend additional refining is required to make the product more pure. The oil refineries would prefer to leave some of those extras in the gasoline if they could as they would still burn though just not as clean and which also have a tendency to vaporize in hot temperatures.

If anyone ever has a strong desire to learn more about the effects temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure and altitude have on gasoline and engines one needs to spend some time behind the scenes at a drag racing event. Seeing the importance of using a hydrometer to measure the specific gravity of the racing fuel, such as nitromethane, being used and the resultant engine detonations when you get it wrong brings things home quick.

rksingh

Hi,
I know in winter we get less mpg but i am very much curious to know the reason why it happens ?

And does using heater makes any effect on MPG at all ?

I have Rx330 and accord, please guide me if you have more details.