Gas Mileage vs Weather Changes

265 /75 / 16

 

I ran those at 34 when I had them.

 

In GENERAL our temp swings are moderate. (we've had a few doozies though) Could be 60's early Sept, 70's the next week......

Explain this: Fill up when weather is in the 60's, weather warms up to 70°F or so......MPG drops across all 3 cars....same station, same fuel grade......most noticeable in Tacoma, lesser degree in CRV...........wasn't air temp or warm up time.

 

thats what I had it at, i just bumped it up to 40psi and feels better to me. gonna monitor day or two see how it goes.

 

I think you can go to 70 or more on Es. BFG states 55 to me. I settled on 34. I run 285/70/17s now at 35

 

Aside from shitty winter blend fuel, rolling resistance increases in the cold. Also, wind resistance.

I don't know if it the fuel or the cold air, but the 1GR really seems to hate winter. At times, it seems like a different truck altogether.

 

Cold air is also denser than warm air and requires more fuel to maintain the same air:fuel ratio. That denser air also increases drag resistance as the truck drives.

 

Check tire pressures. When it gets colder you’ll need to put a few psi into your rubbers. Engine runs more efficiently when it’s warmed up, takes longer to warm up when it’s cold out. Some have to deal with winter blend fuel too. Airs colder which is thicker, which creates more drag on the vehicles. You’re putting on your ‘winter coat’, freshman 15, or whatever and that extra weight really adds up.


Lots of factors drop mpg in winter. It’s all normal.

 

I'm shocked that some keep such close tabs on their fuel mileage. Does it do any good worrying about about a drop?

 

Lucky, mine went form 16 to 12

 

Yup, my mpgs went from 15-16mpg to 12. Ive been drivingsuper carefully to try and raise them and Im able to keep it at around 14mpgs, but with my normal driving its 11-12.

 

i never paid attention until i signed up on tacomaworld.com

reading some inncoulous posts and going out at 11pm at night with a flashslight to check stuff under my truck...

 

I'm shocked that any type of auto enthusiast wouldn't notice. I check mine every tank.

And, losing 4 MPG is hardly a drop.

Most guys I know pay attention to their fuel economy. It's one way to keep tabs on how the car is running.

 

I have noticed the same change in MPG vs weather. No winter gas change in AZ yet as I know but the colder it gets the less MPG I get.

 

Bingo. This will impact mileage regardless of short trip, long trip, tire pressure, etc. Of all the things that cause winter mileage to be worse, the fact that you're using winter blend gas might be the least relevant. Engines run rich until warm and it takes longer to warm up when it's cold. Combine that with the fact that more oxygen molecules in dense cold air requires more gas to keep the ratio and you don't need to go any farther looking for an answer.

On a side note, 75 mph speed limits in Texas just magnifies the impact.

 

This is Best explanation. Learned something new about tires too


https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-is-the-fuel-economy-o/

 

Seriously, you take the time to check every tank? I couldn't care less as long as the vehicle runs good and I'm not noticing an annoying amount of trips to fill-up.
As far as any type of auto enthusiast wouldn't notice, I'm quite the auto enthusiast.

 

Most all cars, 2010 on have fairly accurate MPG readouts.

 

Haha, you're right! I forget nearly every forken year! Just above, not on my list, two hours later I drove my truck,,, tire light was on.

 

Yes.

You must have a lot of extra money if you don't care.

Most guys like to pay attention to their cars.