Most people get lower mileage in the winter.
5-15% lower mileage in areas with moderate climates
15-28% lower mileage in cold areas
Cold Engine
Cold engines take more gas to warm up.
More idling while you clean off your windows and warm up the car
Oil viscosity increases causing more internal resistance
Alternator has to work harder to charge battery
Fuel efficiency
Fuel atomizes poorly when cold, a richer mixture is necessary to get proper combustion.
Winter gas blends, started in October or November have more ethanol,
butane or propane which results in 2-5% lower mileage.
Laws for the type of mixture vary by state.
See Summer-Blend vs Winter-Blend Gasoline: What's the Difference? - Popular Mechanics
Tires
Tire pressure drops - for every 9° f temperature drop pressure drops 1 psi
So you will loose 4 psi when the temperature drops from 70 to 32° f.
Even at the same pressure there will be more rolling resistance because tires must flex
at the bottom and cold tires require more work to flex.
Aerodynamics
Cold dense air creates more drag -
For every 10 degree F drop in temperature, aerodynamic drag increases by 2%
Ski racks on the roof
Road Conditions
Slippage on snow
More bad traffic so more stop and go
Links:
See 9 reasons why your winter fuel economy bites! - MetroMPG.com
last updated 5 Mar 2013
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