Cold weather performance?

Alright guys, need some advice from my fellow “it’d be fine if it weren’t for the wind” folks.
2019 OR 6MT w/ 45k miles, only “mod” is Wildpeak AT3s 265/70/16 @ 33psi in the cold.
So, after a recent career change I’m now faced with a weekly 340mi round trip drive at least until the summer. Getting to that bitter cold part of the winter around here and just want to know how everyone’s truck performs or if I’m an outlier?
Just got done driving one way ~2.5hrs on a mainly 70mph speed limit highway. About 15F most of the trip, windchill around -2F. Just felt like I… struggled. I mean I had to lay into this thing to “maintain” speeds of 70-75mph, and anytime my attention wasn’t directly on maintaining my speed id fall out of the zone. Sipping coffee? 67mph. Changing the station? 65mph. Adjusting the seatbelt? Well pin that right foot down - you get the idea.
Obviously the cold/winter fuel has effect I just didn’t think this drastically. I averaged 15MPG on a trip that would usually net me around 19-20MPG. Wish I lived in an area that doing 55-60mph was acceptable but it’s not fun getting sucked into semi’s air stream as I get passed for a few hours straight.
I guess I’m just curious if this is the norm around winter time? This is my first winter with the truck and wanted to get opinions before i start chasing down a mystical diagnosis that probably just leads to an OVtune.

 

I hear ya yeah these Tacoma's hate cold. Getting tuned will hands down be your most effective route . I recommend kdmax pro tune normal throttle and run premium . The tunes are octane learning so you can run regular if needed . Another good tune is Valley Runner.

 

You’re fine, 15° is plenty warm and not going to cause any problems. Colder weather means denser air which requires more fuel. Coupled with winter blend fuel that is less energy dense and you’ll see lower fuel economy.

 

This is not unique to the Tacoma. Your trip MPG will improve slightly if you warm the truck up first. ECU fuel mixtures and winter blend gas also make a difference.

Also, cruise control is your friend. Inconsistent speeds (especially acceleration to get back to your desired speed) will also greatly reduce your MPG.

 

you dont use cruise control (either dynamic or reg)? Especially while cruising. Even before my s/c, I could cruise on the interstate at 70-75 no problem. Some folks don't like it, and I understand it for around town (even though I still use it literally every time I get to speed, no matter where), but cruising on the interstate? cruise all day baby!

 

At the coldest before you leave, check your tire pressure and inflate at that time.

 

Cold air is denser and requires more power to push through it. Winter blend gas tends to give worse MPG also.

So its pretty normal what your seeing.

 

Tacomas, like any vehicle, have an ideal speed they cruise at before the exponential increase in wind resistance, overcomes the increase in HP as your press on the accelerator. I find my truck will zoom right along at 55MPh / 90kmh , but any faster, and I have to try. Like OP, if I get distracted, back down she goes.

 

15mpg, with that speed and temp out. You should be happy.
P.s. wind chill means nothing to your truck, only pertains to living, breathing things.

 

Who drives on the freeway at 15MPH?

 

Increased air density
So colder air means more molecules, and more air molecules means more energy released in each combustion cycle. A drop from 30 C to 0 C is roughly a 10% drop measured in Kelvin, which suggests 10% more energy for each combustion cycle --> 10% more horsepower!

 

MPG, typo.

 

Appreciate all the help guys, the scientific comments are great too! Think I’m going to start forcing myself into the habit of using cruise, never thought about the constant back and forth as a cause for more fuel consumption.
Going to be making my trip back this weekend with cruise set and more realistic expectations!

 

Remember, if the roads have snow or ice do NOT use cruise control.

 

My Camaro loves colder / denser air !!

 

It's been cold here in Central KY recently... along with 9in of snow during the course of an afternoon last weekend. I've noticed the opposite. It felt like my truck was wheezing during the hot, humid summer and really woke up in the colder weather. This is both with the stock ECU software and KDMax v6 and Pro. Just based on how motors work, I can't see any logical way a motor would be less efficient in the cold weather than the warm.

 

@Prestovie

The air-fuel ratio at operating temperature should require less air to maintain that ratio since there are more oxygen molecules in the air.
If cold air hurts power, why is there such a focus on cold air intakes?

 

Cold air doesn’t hurt power, it creates power. You have more oxygen in cold, dense air which requires more fuel to maintain the same air/fuel ratio and produces more power as a result. That also leads to decreased fuel economy.

 

A chevette yes