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Author	Topic: whats your winter gas fuel efficiency like?	Post a Reply Back to Topics

atdes Rookie Author San Jose Posts:17 Points:113,090 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2012 12:36:23 PM Ignore atdes Report Abuse my RAV4 2006 drops down from 26 mpg to 21 mpg. Proof: fill-up in CA for a 300 mile road trip, mileage= 21 mpg (less than 1/8 of gas, low fuel warning light on). Fill-up from Nevada back to CA, mileage= 26 mpg, with a little above 1/4 tank left for another 60 mile around town. [Edited by: atdes at 1/2/2012 12:37:31 PM EST]

atdes

Rookie Author
San Jose

Posts:17
Points:113,090
Joined:May 2009

Message Posted: Jan 2, 2012 12:36:23 PM

Ignore atdes Report Abuse

my RAV4 2006 drops down from 26 mpg to 21 mpg. Proof: fill-up in CA for a 300 mile road trip, mileage= 21 mpg (less than 1/8 of gas, low fuel warning light on). Fill-up from Nevada back to CA, mileage= 26 mpg, with a little above 1/4 tank left for another 60 mile around town.

[Edited by: atdes at 1/2/2012 12:37:31 PM EST]

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

Scottish_Dave Rookie Author Wisconsin Posts:5 Points:409,350 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2012 10:15:20 PM Ignore Scottish_Dave Report Abuse In the summer I get around 40 mpg. In the winter months, it is usually around 36 mpg. This is while driving a 1999 Saturn SL that just turned 200,000 miles today!
Cummins2500 Champion Author Iowa Posts:3,128 Points:752,375 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jan 12, 2012 11:12:43 AM Ignore Cummins2500 Report Abuse reb4, Putting your block heater on a timer is smart as its only need to be on for a few hours before start up, that is if its parked in a garage, longer if its parked outside.
jorobins538 Champion Author Chicago Posts:4,727 Points:637,345 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Jan 11, 2012 2:23:59 PM Ignore jorobins538 Report Abuse I try not to think about it.
reb4 Champion Author Chicago Posts:19,088 Points:1,820,175 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Jan 11, 2012 1:16:29 PM Ignore reb4 Report Abuse I would say it's been about 10 - 15% less, depending on temps. I bought a core plug-in heater. Unfortunately there was no way for me to install it by myself. Good news is I have a son that was able to install it. Already reaping benefits. I plan on getting a timer (currently go out and plug-in couple hours ahead) and hope to increase my overall mileage.
pmjwright2 All-Star Author British Columbia Posts:551 Points:71,530 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2012 12:33:14 PM Ignore pmjwright2 Report Abuse Generally a 10% drop, October to April. Not sure how much of that is from the gas, because some is due to snowtires and other factors.
Bodiney Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,006 Points:196,050 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2012 11:16:51 AM Ignore Bodiney Report Abuse it depends on the weather
WEDDY Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,234 Points:1,035,570 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2012 9:15:02 AM Ignore WEDDY Report Abuse gas mileage 17.5 to 19.8 in summer. Winter, down to 15.5d to 16.0
oncotime Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:17,439 Points:3,232,380 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Jan 8, 2012 9:16:27 AM Ignore oncotime Report Abuse always worse than summer
PatAZ Champion Author Tucson Posts:9,230 Points:122,180 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2012 7:17:42 PM Ignore PatAZ Report Abuse Not much, since it stays fairly warm here. Plus ethanol is ever present summer and winter.
johnzone1 All-Star Author Fort Wayne Posts:716 Points:359,165 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2012 1:16:58 PM Ignore johnzone1 Report Abuse About a 3 to 4 MPG drop in colder weather.
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,098 Points:36,565 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2012 11:09:28 AM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse My take on this cold weather mileage loss is, I think most agree that their vehicles run the best when the outside temps are 65-85 degrees F. This to me is good reasonable enjoyable weather for human activity. Most engines seem to be designed to perform at their best during these ranges. The point I'm trying to make is,consider the underhood Temps of the engine,transmission,differiential,drivetrain components of FWD vehicles when the ideal daily temps are present. These temps probably are 140-195 F even more, but the vehicle runs fine. Then think what the underhood area difference is on say a cold 18-28 F degree day with a wind blast of moving air at driving speed say 45 mph or 65 mph. Fridged air shooting into the engine compartment,with nothing else has changed to compensate for this drastic change by engineering design. Shure the cooling fans may stay off,the thermostat still regulates,the ECM does its thing on mixture,brakes run colder,air heat of radiator is only warm,etc. The engine and related parts have a drastic different environment to operate in during Winter. This would cause more fuel usage.myop with no corrections so far. Block heaters,garages,battery warmers,and such are only temporary, They work!
gvan Champion Author Chicago Posts:21,512 Points:2,834,300 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2012 9:58:16 AM Ignore gvan Report Abuse In 99% city driving both of my cars drop 1-2 mpg in winter. A 5 mpg drop sounds like something is wrong with your vehicle. Of course, it appears this is based on one trip which is questionable for accuracy. It seems like a San Jose driver should have no drop in mpg for winter.
jessjames Champion Author Huntsville Posts:15,289 Points:3,302,260 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2012 7:49:56 AM Ignore jessjames Report Abuse same year round
cv Champion Author Raleigh Posts:15,196 Points:3,264,630 Joined:Oct 2003	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2012 6:11:19 AM Ignore cv Report Abuse For me about 3mpg drop during the cold months.
Gypsy_tech All-Star Author Minnesota Posts:538 Points:15,675 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2012 5:06:05 PM Ignore Gypsy_tech Report Abuse On my Cruze ECO it drops off to about 36 from 40. If I drive far enough it will come back up but the first couple of miles you can really see it drop off.
Sipusa All-Star Author Sacramento Posts:632 Points:124,230 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2012 4:39:00 PM Ignore Sipusa Report Abuse Same as before.
Cummins2500 Champion Author Iowa Posts:3,128 Points:752,375 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2012 4:34:40 PM Ignore Cummins2500 Report Abuse A 5 mpg loss do to the poor gas because the EPA allows butane to be added to our gas.
Z12 Champion Author Toledo Posts:3,647 Points:756,760 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2012 2:39:55 PM Ignore Z12 Report Abuse About the same
blitz4848 Champion Author Florida Posts:2,980 Points:549,945 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2012 6:00:54 AM Ignore blitz4848 Report Abuse almost the same
ricebike Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,026 Points:1,854,745 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2012 12:48:30 AM Ignore ricebike Report Abuse 4-5 mpg loss, just due to slower driving in adverse conditions and longer warm-up times to de-ice the windshield/mirrors
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,098 Points:36,565 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Jan 4, 2012 9:19:11 PM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse Not over a 3 mpg. loss,except the truck when (loaded).
Alexi7 All-Star Author Ohio Posts:526 Points:13,790 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jan 4, 2012 7:31:58 PM Ignore Alexi7 Report Abuse '99 Acura TL: 24-27 in summer down to 21-24 in winter. Will dip below 20 on truly frigid days. '87 Town Car: That big ol' 302 V-8 will average 21-23 mpg during the summer. Down to 19-20 mpg now. 2011 Chevy Traverse: What a gas hog this time of year. Barely hits 20 mpg. Plenty of power, but only 16-18 mpg if you dip into it very often. '09 G6: 24-25 mpg average in the summer, but plummets to 20-21 mpg when it gets cold. 1990 Chevy 4X4 pickup, 350,: Awful in warm weather(15-17 mpg) to dreadful when it gets cold. Lockup in 4WD and it gets only 10-11 mpg.
kiddbats Rookie Author Gary Posts:4 Points:1,480 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jan 4, 2012 6:58:37 PM Ignore kiddbats Report Abuse My Corolla drops to about 26 from 31.
diesdown Champion Author North Carolina Posts:1,700 Points:510,000 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jan 4, 2012 12:27:58 PM Ignore diesdown Report Abuse Off 1-2 mpg.
DesertRat2011 Champion Author Riverside Posts:3,607 Points:483,855 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jan 4, 2012 11:06:10 AM Ignore DesertRat2011 Report Abuse Doesn't effect my TDI Jetta but drop 5-7% on my Suzuki Burgman motorcycle
kevrob1972 Champion Author Maine Posts:1,004 Points:613,225 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jan 4, 2012 9:50:39 AM Ignore kevrob1972 Report Abuse 2008 Honda CRV drops about 3 mpg in winter.
BooBooME Veteran Author Maine Posts:489 Points:108,505 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jan 4, 2012 7:25:43 AM Ignore BooBooME Report Abuse Mine drop about 2 mpg. 2012 Subaru
jes Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:16,155 Points:3,350,525 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Jan 4, 2012 5:05:52 AM Ignore jes Report Abuse Off 2-3 mpg.
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,098 Points:36,565 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Jan 3, 2012 8:01:53 PM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse The extra percentage of cost for cold winter driving will vary,not only by how cold it is,but also how many times one would start/stop the engine,by how long between intervals of run time,by if driving city or hiway,by the condition of the road surface coverings,by warm-up time allowed to clear windows,winter cold wind factors,probably more,tire stiffness,rolling stiffness,weight of snow still on vehicle, that,s a Dah.... Driving in anothers tracts or making fresh trail ? Lots affect this extra % of cost. Even how well your battery keeps/takes a charge.....LOL Spinning Wheels maybe too much,etc. Quit...
medic1633 Veteran Author Illinois Posts:320 Points:405,330 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jan 3, 2012 6:47:46 PM Ignore medic1633 Report Abuse off just a litle mph
cargonotsofast Champion Author Illinois Posts:5,450 Points:500,765 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jan 3, 2012 5:21:54 PM Ignore cargonotsofast Report Abuse other than the winter blend, it's down 10 to 15 percent depending on how cold it is.
OceanArcher Champion Author Mississippi Posts:5,693 Points:1,325,450 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jan 3, 2012 4:44:49 PM Ignore OceanArcher Report Abuse Do the best ya can with what you got
W707 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,453 Points:399,715 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jan 3, 2012 2:21:51 PM Ignore W707 Report Abuse its down 3 or 4 percent
MertieMan Champion Author Lexington Posts:14,778 Points:2,893,660 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jan 3, 2012 10:13:59 AM Ignore MertieMan Report Abuse With ethanol and winter grade gas you can knock at least 2-4 mpg off on every tank full.
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,903 Points:2,053,955 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2012 2:45:47 PM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse It drops about 5% but no big deal.