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Why does colder air hurt mpg?

Exactly, denser air mean more oxygen. More oxygen means you need more fuel to keep your air to fuel ratio the same as it was at the higher temp. At least you are making more horsepower 🙂
 
but you do create more horsepower too. so its not much difference in the long run. also, your engine will run less efficiently until it warms up to the proper temp.
 
Let's not forget the wussies that take time to warm their cars up in the wintertime, then wonder why their mileage takes a 2-3mpg hit. 😉
 
Originally posted by: marvdmartian
Let's not forget the wussies that take time to warm their cars up in the wintertime, then wonder why their mileage takes a 2-3mpg hit. 😉
Click to expand...

Well you do need to warm it up, but some people around here warm them up for 5 minutes in -10C weather. Now that's just crazy.
 
I don't see any logical connection between colder air and lower MPG. Yes, your engine uses "more" gas to compensate for the denser air, but since your gas is likely to be cold, too, it is ALSO denser. Cold gas increases mileage. I'd be surprised if the computer actually calls for more gallons per mile, with all else being equal.

I think what people are noticing has a lot more to do with winter blend fuels with lower-energy-density additives and longer warm-up times. Cold engines KILL mileage.
 
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
I don't see any logical connection between colder air and lower MPG. Yes, your engine uses "more" gas to compensate for the denser air, but since your gas is likely to be cold, too, it is ALSO denser. Cold gas increases mileage. I'd be surprised if the computer actually calls for more gallons per mile, with all else being equal.

I think what people are noticing has a lot more to do with winter blend fuels with lower-energy-density additives and longer warm-up times. Cold engines KILL mileage.
Click to expand...

Air density changes faster than fuel density.

ZV
 
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
I don't see any logical connection between colder air and lower MPG. Yes, your engine uses "more" gas to compensate for the denser air, but since your gas is likely to be cold, too, it is ALSO denser. Cold gas increases mileage. I'd be surprised if the computer actually calls for more gallons per mile, with all else being equal.

I think what people are noticing has a lot more to do with winter blend fuels with lower-energy-density additives and longer warm-up times. Cold engines KILL mileage.
Click to expand...

Air density changes faster than fuel density.

ZV
Click to expand...

But you need less air to make the same HP to keep the car going and thus less gas too. If your mileage drops in colder temps it is because you are driving more spirited because the car is a little more peppy.

The only reason you see a drop in fuel economy these days during the winter months is because our stupid government thinks it has the knowledge to choose how to blend gasoline.
 
Originally posted by: Ronstang
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
I don't see any logical connection between colder air and lower MPG. Yes, your engine uses "more" gas to compensate for the denser air, but since your gas is likely to be cold, too, it is ALSO denser. Cold gas increases mileage. I'd be surprised if the computer actually calls for more gallons per mile, with all else being equal.

I think what people are noticing has a lot more to do with winter blend fuels with lower-energy-density additives and longer warm-up times. Cold engines KILL mileage.
Click to expand...

Air density changes faster than fuel density.

ZV
Click to expand...

But you need less air to make the same HP to keep the car going and thus less gas too. If your mileage drops in colder temps it is because you are driving more spirited because the car is a little more peppy.

The only reason you see a drop in fuel economy these days during the winter months is because our stupid government thinks it has the knowledge to choose how to blend gasoline.
Click to expand...

Well, technically, since you're using a slightly smaller throttle opening to produce the same amount of power (due to needing a lower volume of air) the engine's pumping losses increase slightly, reducing efficiency. But that's a very, very small affect and I think that in the practical world you're right. 🙂

ZV
 
I have found that winter blend gasoline is for the most part, responsible doe the drop in mileage, not to mention 0 mpg when warming up the engine, which is essential in below 0 degrees f temps.
 
Between winter fuel, warming up , pushing snow, and snow tires, I don't even bother to check mileage in the winter.
 
Originally posted by: Elstupido
I have found that winter blend gasoline is for the most part, responsible doe the drop in mileage, not to mention 0 mpg when warming up the engine, which is essential in below 0 degrees f temps.
Click to expand...

Does the entire country get winter blends? I thought it was just mountain states, California, and the east coast cities.

Here in the midwest, the mileage my impala gets tanks from about 28MPG in the summer to about 24MPG in the winter (even during the "winter" weeks when it's in the 60's and 70's).
Same thing with the Bonneville before it, and the accord before it, and the lesabre before it.
 
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