GasBuddy Blog

Message Forum - Read Message

Category: Fuel Economy > Topics	Add to favorite topics Post New Topic

Author	Topic: Does the cold affect your gas Mileage?	Post a Reply Back to Topics

Choppers Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,056 Points:693,370 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2006 11:31:21 AM Ignore Choppers Report Abuse Does your mileage seem to go down in the extreme cold? I have notice a drop in mine over the last 2 weeks. Anybody else notice this?

Choppers

Champion Author
Minnesota

Posts:2,056
Points:693,370
Joined:Aug 2005

Message Posted: Dec 9, 2006 11:31:21 AM

Ignore Choppers Report Abuse

Does your mileage seem to go down in the extreme cold? I have notice a drop in mine over the last 2 weeks. Anybody else notice this?

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

First

Next Last

kxy4fw Champion Author Denver Posts:1,226 Points:275,255 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 8:52:53 AM Ignore kxy4fw Report Abuse yes negatively.
pretzelTX Sophomore Author Houston Posts:105 Points:118,315 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: May 7, 2012 9:56:11 PM Ignore pretzelTX Report Abuse My mileage seems to drop slightly in the Winter, although southest TX winter is mild. My TDI takes a little longer to warm up to normal engine temp, so that may be the reason.
DesertRat2011 Champion Author Riverside Posts:3,607 Points:483,855 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 7, 2012 10:48:02 AM Ignore DesertRat2011 Report Abuse I live in the desert.......... what cold ?
kxy4fw Champion Author Denver Posts:1,226 Points:275,255 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: May 7, 2012 9:37:51 AM Ignore kxy4fw Report Abuse yes
forresj Champion Author Wilmington Posts:2,772 Points:541,305 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: May 7, 2012 8:59:41 AM Ignore forresj Report Abuse Yes cold air affect gas mileage. When the outside ambient air is cold, air is heavier and your vehicle take-in more oxygen. Therefore, more gas is required to maintain the correct mixture to prevent a lean condition. It's a tradeoff. With more gas and oxygen in the combustion chamber, you get better HP but you lose mileage per gallon.
BlueberryFocus All-Star Author Rochester Posts:553 Points:128,310 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 11:14:40 PM Ignore BlueberryFocus Report Abuse Yeah, but it has more to do with the grade of gasoline - like winter grade vs. summer grade
Z12 Champion Author Toledo Posts:3,647 Points:756,760 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 10:26:37 PM Ignore Z12 Report Abuse Yes, but not much
diesdown Champion Author North Carolina Posts:1,700 Points:510,000 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 6:42:47 PM Ignore diesdown Report Abuse Yes
Titanic1985 Champion Author South Carolina Posts:6,246 Points:356,370 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 12:45:10 PM Ignore Titanic1985 Report Abuse Yes, but only slightly. South Carolina doesn't usually get too cold (last winter was the warmest since I moved here - 17 years). It does get into single digits at times.
kxy4fw Champion Author Denver Posts:1,226 Points:275,255 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:41:47 AM Ignore kxy4fw Report Abuse yes
2Tall Champion Author Maryland Posts:12,767 Points:2,939,430 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:01:44 AM Ignore 2Tall Report Abuse yes
GLM4205 Champion Author Toledo Posts:4,042 Points:798,120 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Mar 11, 2012 9:11:21 PM Ignore GLM4205 Report Abuse Yes it does.
LTCBILL Sophomore Author New Jersey Posts:198 Points:657,040 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Mar 11, 2012 2:57:41 PM Ignore LTCBILL Report Abuse no
muskratjames Champion Author Texas Posts:1,567 Points:162,260 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Mar 11, 2012 2:07:17 PM Ignore muskratjames Report Abuse Cold can, does, and will negatively affect your fuel economy.
TomeHills Veteran Author New Mexico Posts:402 Points:283,680 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Mar 11, 2012 12:40:31 PM Ignore TomeHills Report Abuse I have a '09 Escape Hybrid and the batteries are affected by the cold a little. I notice lower MPG when it's cold because the batteries are not as efficient.
srfran Rookie Author Saskatoon Posts:1 Points:120 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Mar 11, 2012 11:37:34 AM Ignore srfran Report Abuse yup..besides the fact your car runs longer to warm up
KansasGunman Champion Author Kansas City Posts:21,434 Points:2,104,400 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 11, 2012 11:26:43 AM Ignore KansasGunman Report Abuse The cold doesn't effect our mileage nearly as mush as it effects our bones which is why we always winter in AZ. [Edited by: KansasGunman at 3/11/2012 11:28:32 AM EST]
Jmac2008 Champion Author Missouri Posts:2,259 Points:878,215 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Mar 11, 2012 11:20:45 AM Ignore Jmac2008 Report Abuse yes - lowers it
WEDDY Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,234 Points:1,035,570 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Mar 11, 2012 11:19:15 AM Ignore WEDDY Report Abuse It seems to. Also, your tires are at a lower pressure if for no other reason the colder temperatures. Check you tire pressure to keep it at the recommended pressure, should get back some of that lost mileage.
drydem Sophomore Author Maryland Posts:131 Points:3,200 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Mar 11, 2012 8:38:36 AM Ignore drydem Report Abuse yes. Winter time loss in vehicle fuel efficiency (increase fuel usage) is mainly during the first eight minute of operation from starting in the cold. The colder the outside temperature is - the more energy it takes to warm up the gasoline engine. The shorter your trip is the more sensitive your vehicle will be to the cold. The longer your trip is the less sensitive your vehicle will be to the cold. When the summer time temperatures return your vehicle's fuel efficiency should increase.
n8pu Sophomore Author Michigan Posts:239 Points:105,710 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Mar 11, 2012 5:42:15 AM Ignore n8pu Report Abuse My MPG will drop up to a couple miles per gallon in cold weather.
SilverBulletVA Rookie Author Virginia Beach Posts:44 Points:389,130 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Mar 11, 2012 12:39:28 AM Ignore SilverBulletVA Report Abuse Yup. It takes a lot longer for the engine to reach operating temp and I'm pretty sure the winter fuel formulation isn't as efficient either.
Z12 Champion Author Toledo Posts:3,647 Points:756,760 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2012 8:55:21 PM Ignore Z12 Report Abuse Yes it does
shawd8 Champion Author Eugene Posts:2,035 Points:528,625 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2012 10:16:47 AM Ignore shawd8 Report Abuse I think it might, but not dramatically
leadfootbunny Rookie Author Indianapolis Posts:90 Points:21,970 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2012 9:59:44 AM Ignore leadfootbunny Report Abuse Snow does since I have to load 300 lbs of sand to keep the back end where it belongs.
thuathienhue Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,438 Points:631,290 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2012 9:16:36 AM Ignore thuathienhue Report Abuse Yes
thuathienhue Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,438 Points:631,290 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2012 9:16:36 AM Ignore thuathienhue Report Abuse Yes
jonjon57 Champion Author Raleigh Posts:2,442 Points:633,185 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2012 8:33:12 AM Ignore jonjon57 Report Abuse Yes
zarikson Rookie Author Indianapolis Posts:1 Points:270 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Mar 4, 2012 7:04:11 PM Ignore zarikson Report Abuse air is more dense when its cold, gasoline also condenses,so there is better energy potential when its cold,If your warming it up that could use more gas than normal,tires when cold and dont sufficiently warm up could use more gas,I put the max air in at the coldest temp.because its highly unlikely they will get too warm.(Max rated pressure of the tire} cold fluids and grease can also not be warmed up during short trips.
aveo2009 All-Star Author Quebec Posts:767 Points:155,025 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Mar 4, 2012 8:04:30 AM Ignore aveo2009 Report Abuse yes
aveo2009 All-Star Author Quebec Posts:767 Points:155,025 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Mar 4, 2012 8:04:28 AM Ignore aveo2009 Report Abuse yes
maryph1958 Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,420 Points:283,095 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Mar 2, 2012 9:26:04 AM Ignore maryph1958 Report Abuse yes
Jmac2008 Champion Author Missouri Posts:2,259 Points:878,215 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Mar 2, 2012 2:00:43 AM Ignore Jmac2008 Report Abuse yes, it is worse in cold weather, it takes longer for the transmission to warm up and shift into overdrive.
jad1960 Champion Author Gary Posts:1,540 Points:401,700 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Mar 1, 2012 1:31:39 PM Ignore jad1960 Report Abuse Yes, Also in the cold winter months they switch to winter blend fuels which also decrease your mileage.
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,098 Points:36,565 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Mar 1, 2012 7:16:12 AM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse It effects mine untill morning temps reach 70 F or above only on a cold start-up for the day.
forresj Champion Author Wilmington Posts:2,772 Points:541,305 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Feb 29, 2012 10:43:21 AM Ignore forresj Report Abuse Yes cold air affect gas mileage. When the outside ambient air is cold, air is heavier and your vehicle take-in more oxygen. Therefore, more gas is required to maintain the correct mixture to prevent a lean condition. It's a tradeoff. With more gas and oxygen in the combustion chamber, you get better HP but you lose mileage per gallon.
dete49 Rookie Author Columbus Posts:52 Points:275,640 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 29, 2012 10:29:01 AM Ignore dete49 Report Abuse It effects tire pressure
13Octane Champion Author Tucson Posts:2,147 Points:332,165 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Feb 29, 2012 10:21:07 AM Ignore 13Octane Report Abuse it affects my mileage and my bones
10261970 All-Star Author Sacramento Posts:977 Points:265,145 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Feb 29, 2012 9:52:21 AM Ignore 10261970 Report Abuse Never paid that much attention.
kxy4fw Champion Author Denver Posts:1,226 Points:275,255 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Feb 29, 2012 6:37:09 AM Ignore kxy4fw Report Abuse Yes negatively.
LDG2012 Rookie Author Toronto Posts:58 Points:24,145 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Feb 26, 2012 11:23:01 PM Ignore LDG2012 Report Abuse Yes mine always goes down in the winter
taxtaxtax Rookie Author Alberta Posts:26 Points:900 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Feb 26, 2012 2:37:29 PM Ignore taxtaxtax Report Abuse My mileage does drop a bit. We have summer/winter gas here, not sure if that makes a difference?
jonjon57 Champion Author Raleigh Posts:2,442 Points:633,185 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 26, 2012 7:56:31 AM Ignore jonjon57 Report Abuse A small amount
DaisysMomNC All-Star Author North Carolina Posts:959 Points:200,850 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 5:38:56 PM Ignore DaisysMomNC Report Abuse I agree with you Roadburner 440
kxy4fw Champion Author Denver Posts:1,226 Points:275,255 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 5:01:12 PM Ignore kxy4fw Report Abuse Absolutely - yes.
turk01 Rookie Author Ohio Posts:18 Points:544,690 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 4:51:05 PM Ignore turk01 Report Abuse yes. I lose 1 to 2 mpg in the winter.
rhail2 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,452 Points:287,485 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 12:07:56 PM Ignore rhail2 Report Abuse yes
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,098 Points:36,565 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 6:44:46 AM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse Roadburner440; I read your post about your old Magnum,gaining a few mpg attributed to colder weather... My experience with older vehicles maybe of the 60's - 70's carburated were often set-up (modified)jetting,double pumpers,headers,hot cams,high compression,more etc,still streetable performance,but were not too fuel effcient. This may not be the case here,old Magnum doesn't tell much,but if your engine gains mileage with colder weather present I would think it's tuning would be on the rich side(overall performance) during warm weather. Jetting,pump shot,float-levels,fuel pressure higher than necessary for economy, all these welcome colder dense air temps,and a hp boost is noticed,but not always economy. The trend years ago; colder plugs,dual rich pump shots cold ambient air coldfuel,higher float levels,colder block temps,non restrictive intake charges ,hot ign. system,high compression/octain fuel,non restricktive exhaust,etc. were only a few modes for performance,not always good for colder weather daily driving. Been there, done that a few times,era thing,but fun. One of my neighbors is into a Mo-Par project "413" lo buck retirement thing,making progress,an will be hitting the cruise-ins before long (old school)stile Enjoy your Magnum.....
bonbNJ All-Star Author New Jersey Posts:979 Points:326,940 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 4:54:45 AM Ignore bonbNJ Report Abuse if you idle your car longer yes
petromonitor Champion Author Toronto Posts:2,366 Points:516,730 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Feb 22, 2012 6:29:19 PM Ignore petromonitor Report Abuse To some extend, yes.