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Winter Milage is lower - FYI

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by NJMIke, Dec 20, 2016.

  1. Dec 20, 2016 at 7:16 AM
    #1
    NJMIke

    NJMIke [OP] New Member

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    Coming into the 2nd winter with my 2016 Tundra with 4.6L engine, noticed the milage is dropping from my summer average of 18.5 to 19.5 mpg. I assumed the cold weather and possible winter gas was causing this. Did an internet search and found the following which, to me, all makes sense. So, if you wondered what's going on, here is a little insight. Just posted the lowest milage I've ever gotten on a tank of gas on Fuelly which was 15.68 mpg. More idling & using 4-wheel drive this fuel-up drove it down for me.

    Why is winter fuel economy lower?
    Cold weather affects your vehicle in more ways than you might expect:

    • Engine and transmission friction increases in cold temperatures due to cold engine oil and other drive-line fluids.
    • It takes longer for your engine to reach its most fuel-efficient temperature. This affects shorter trips more, since your car spends more of your trip at less-than-optimal temperatures.
    • Heated seats, window defrosters, and heater fans use additional power.
    • Warming up your vehicle before you start your trip lowers your fuel economy—idling gets 0 miles per gallon.
    • Colder air is denser, increasing aerodynamic drag on your vehicle, especially at highway speeds.
    • Tire pressure decreases in colder temperatures, increasing rolling resistance.
    • Winter grades of gasoline can have slightly less energy per gallon than summer blends.
    • Battery performance decreases in cold weather, making it harder for your alternator to keep your battery charged. This also affects the performance of the regenerative braking system on hybrids.
    In severe winter weather, your mpg can drop even further.

    • Icy or snow-covered roads decrease your tires' grip on the road, wasting energy.
    • Safe driving speeds on slick roads can be much lower than normal, further reducing fuel economy, especially at speeds below 30 to 40 mph.
    • Using four-wheel drive uses more fuel.
     
  2. Dec 20, 2016 at 7:41 AM
    #2
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    Thanks for the incite.
     
  3. Dec 20, 2016 at 7:42 AM
    #3
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    I am wondering what the difference is in the winter blend to make it have less energy???
     
  4. Dec 20, 2016 at 7:43 AM
    #4
    Scottri

    Scottri New Member

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    I used to live in Southern Cal and they don't really have "winter" but mileage still went to crap in the winter mainly from the winter blends of gas.
     
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  5. Dec 21, 2016 at 8:13 AM
    #5
    BigBob

    BigBob New Member

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    Winter blend is formulated to vapor at a lower temperature, it uses more butane. Butane is cheap, which is why gas companies use it. However it has less energy, which equals worse gas mileage.
     
  6. Dec 21, 2016 at 8:20 AM
    #6
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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  7. Dec 21, 2016 at 9:06 AM
    #7
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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    SoCal here..I hate winter blend...still wearing shorts and sandals though ;)
     
  8. Dec 21, 2016 at 9:37 AM
    #8
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    We were wearing shorts up on the North Slope, Kuparik, Memorial Day weekend 2012. Temp went over +32 degrees F. Better than the - 72 F we had in Feb.
     
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