Temperature and Fuel Consumption

[GB]

During the warm weather I was getting 35mpg on average. Once this very cold winter hit I noticed that my mileage dropped to around 30mpg on average. Yesterday and today have been warm (high 40's - low 50's) and my mileage is back up to about 35mpg. is this just a coincidence or does the temperature really have something to do with it?

 

[Andy M.]

I experience the same thing. I see about a 10% to 15% drop in MPG in the winter.

 

[jennyema]

Why does gas mileage drop in winter?

 

[GB]

Very interesting, thanks Jenny. It is good to know I am not doing something wrong.

 

[Andy M.]

...It is good to know I am not doing something wrong.

Just because you are not the cause of lower gas mileage in the winter does not mean you are not doing something wrong. Nice try though.

 

[GB]

You know me too well Andy.

 

[Callisto in NC]

Why does gas mileage drop in winter?

I'm showing this to my daughter. She blamed me for over using the gas when we had that recent cold snap.

 

[Scotch]

Interesting! From that article, it sounds as if the problem is worse if you do a lot of short trips in which the engine doesn't have a chance to warm up fully.