milder temps = increased MPG

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Oct 11, 2011 | 12:38 PM

bagwell

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From: The Woodlands, TX

milder temps = increased MPG

Since the temps have gone down a bit from the 105°F its been here for the past 4 months, the MPG increased a bit in the Prius.
Its probably a bit optimistic but this is what MPG the computer in my car showed before I filled up this morning. I still had over an 1/8 of a tank left, but I don't like to get too close to empty.

Oct 11, 2011 | 01:01 PM

bad co

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From: Park Ridge IL

When its colder the air is more dense, you get more air per square inch, that means more power and the engine doesn't have to compensate with fuel

Oct 11, 2011 | 01:09 PM

bagwell

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From: The Woodlands, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by bad co

When its colder the air is more dense, you get more air per square inch, that means more power and the engine doesn't have to compensate with fuel

also, less A/C is used....

Oct 11, 2011 | 01:14 PM

Koma

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Quote:

Originally Posted by bagwell

also, less A/C is used....

Also, I think batteries run more efficient when cooler. So you're getting tons of benefits!

Oct 11, 2011 | 01:31 PM

KillaIS250

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64.5 MPG? Must be nice

Oct 11, 2011 | 03:06 PM

I8ABMR

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From: Waiting for next track day

double positive with the increase in air density and the lack of AC. Now all you have to do is make sure that you tire pressure doesnt drop and decrease efficiency

Oct 11, 2011 | 11:22 PM

Squirrelz

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From: San Jose, CA

Damn, so jealous, 64.5 MPG? I get 20... you get ~3x better mileage than me. That's 3x more money in your pocket...... Oh well.

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Oct 12, 2011 | 10:19 AM

PhantomZX

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From: California

Quote:

Originally Posted by bad co

When its colder the air is more dense, you get more air per square inch, that means more power and the engine doesn't have to compensate with fuel

That is not true for modern EFI cars. The computer knows that the colder air is denser and adds more fuel to compensate. If it didn't do so, the car would be running extremely rich at warmer temperatures and dangerously lean in the cold.

Oct 12, 2011 | 10:20 AM

#10

PhantomZX

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Koma

Also, I think batteries run more efficient when cooler. So you're getting tons of benefits!

It's actually the opposite. Batteries are more efficient when it's warmer.

http://chemistry.about.com/od/howthi...oldbattery.htm

Oct 12, 2011 | 11:03 AM

#11

mmarshall

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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhantomZX

Yep.....the oxygen-sensor in the exhaust manifold constantly checks the exhaust gas for the proper air-fuel ratio and sends a signal to the engine-computer computer to compensate the injector-flow as needed.

Running too-lean in the cold, BTW, is probably not as harmful as running too-lean in hot weather. Lean mixtures generally add engine heat by raising the combustion temperature (which also increases the possiblity of spark knock/ping). Cold weather, of course, is more forgiving of too-hot engine conditions than warm weather. Too-lean conditions in hot air-temperatures can do much more harm than in the winter.

Oct 12, 2011 | 11:22 AM

#12

bagwell

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From: The Woodlands, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhantomZX

It's actually the opposite. Batteries are more efficient when it's warmer.

http://chemistry.about.com/od/howthi...oldbattery.htm

yes warmer temps help the batteries, but not 105°F

Oct 12, 2011 | 11:31 AM

#13

spwolf

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these are perfect times for good mpg.... soon winter will come, and they will go down drastically. Luckily you do have G3 Prius, its exhaust recirculation system is very good. I wonder how much Sonata Hybrid guys will complain in winter... or leaf/volt guys.