anybody's gas milage go down in colder weather?

[hytekredneck]

I've noticed a recent drop in milage since it has been colder. During Sept and Oct I was getting an easy 40mpg without trying. It is now down around 35mpg with the same driving habits. I'm not letting it warm up in the drive way I give it a minute when I leave just as I do during the warmer times. Anyone else have this happen? Thanks

[Levitan]

YES!!! Alot! And not just in my Festy. It sucks....no pun intended.

[Kraig]

That's normal. Winter blend of gas, colder parts, longer warm up. etc.

[festyxfi]

oh yeah! Mn. winters kill MPG, but still getting twice as much as those domestic POS out there.

[91blufestiva]

Yes, the MN winters do indeed suck!!

[ketchup]

i think gas quality had dropped as well since they were trying to bring prices down

[worfdog]

Mine always goes down a little in the winter, but this year it has dropped more than before. I think it is because all gas around here is now a blend of 10 percent alcohol. Can't find pure gas around here no more.

[stefan]

Ya... Remote starting 15mins before I leave every time dosent help ither

[tulsacarman]

I have noticed this as well and wondered if if was a tuning issue. We have full strength gas here but you have to pay 15 cents more a gallon. Everybody's selling up to a 10% ethanol blend here and back when it was over $3.00 a gallon I tried a couple tanks of the straight gas because I'd heard from friends that it added 3-5% to their mileage. It makes more sense to pay the extra 15 cents at $3 than it does at today's $1.47. I'd be paying $1.50 to squeak out an extra 15-20 miles at $3/gal back then but today I'd have to realize 10%+/- increase in MPG to even break even money wise on the straight gas. Regardless, I didn't notice a significant difference in mileage so I quit.

[jglutz]

All of the above could be contributing factors. Especially the longer warm up periods possibly compunded by short hauls.

Also....What does the temp gauge display....I'm thinking that if the t'stat is opening to early....the engine will not reach optimum temp causing the engine to run a little rich and not as efficient. The gauge should be in the middle....providing the sending unit and gauge are functioning properly.

[elcamino1]

Look at the brite side,instead of wasteing gas at $3.50 or $4.00 per gallon, we're doing it at $1.50 a gallon or less!

[tulsacarman]

WooHooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

[Lannis]

All of the above could be contributing factors. Especially the longer warm up periods possibly compunded by short hauls.

Also....What does the temp gauge display....I'm thinking that if the t'stat is opening to early....the engine will not reach optimum temp causing the engine to run a little rich and not as efficient. The gauge should be in the middle....providing the sending unit and gauge are functioning properly.

My temperature gauge on my '93 Festiva never moves much above the "C" on "Cold", I probably do need a thermostat.

Nonetheless, on my 48 mile round-trip commute, about half city and half country, I'm still getting 420 miles out of every 9.5 gallons of gas, for 44 MPG overall. I have the tires at 38 PSI all round, and I short-shift the 5 speed, going just enough to keep up with traffic. I cruise at 58 MPH in the 60 MPH zone, and never go above 60 even in the 65 MPH zone.

A barrel of fun to drive, and saving money while I do!:p

Lannis