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PD Moderator	Message Posted: Dec 14, 2009 12:09:22 PM Ignore PD Report Abuse With a a handful of states in the U.S. and nearly all of Canada having temperatures below freezing right now, it may be a good time to highlight a little known secret: cold weather can rob you of fuel economy. As if driving didn't already cost enough, some of us get to see the cost of driving go up every mile in cold weather. Whether it be snowy roads, freezing temperatures, warming up the car, or just about anything else- it's making your fuel economy tank! (READ MORE!) First, every vehicle has an optimal operating temperature- the colder it is, the longer your vehicle takes to reach that point (think cold, thick fluids). In the mean time, your vehicle releases small amounts of unburned gasoline and operates much more... Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

Moderator

Message Posted: Dec 14, 2009 12:09:22 PM

Ignore PD Report Abuse

With a a handful of states in the U.S. and nearly all of Canada having temperatures below freezing right now, it may be a good time to highlight a little known secret: cold weather can rob you of fuel economy.

As if driving didn't already cost enough, some of us get to see the cost of driving go up every mile in cold weather. Whether it be snowy roads, freezing temperatures, warming up the car, or just about anything else- it's making your fuel economy tank! (READ MORE!)

First, every vehicle has an optimal operating temperature- the colder it is, the longer your vehicle takes to reach that point (think cold, thick fluids). In the mean time, your vehicle releases small amounts of unburned gasoline and operates much more...

Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

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DucatiRider Rookie Author Maryland Posts:70 Points:1,200 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Nov 5, 2012 11:31:12 AM Ignore DucatiRider Report Abuse I wish I still had room in the garage for my car. Sadly there just isn't the space.
Gas4Gore Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,426 Points:424,850 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Nov 1, 2012 6:49:48 PM Ignore Gas4Gore Report Abuse yeah I guess so.
Donatelo Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,127 Points:294,405 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 1, 2012 3:29:07 PM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse yep
CapriceWagon All-Star Author Washington Posts:949 Points:481,020 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Nov 1, 2012 11:31:10 AM Ignore CapriceWagon Report Abuse Because it takes longer to warm up it becomes even more important to combine trips, use the car while it's still hot instead of running it up from cold several times a week, it helps a lot, especially with bigger engines
Gas4Gore Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,426 Points:424,850 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Oct 31, 2012 11:55:25 PM Ignore Gas4Gore Report Abuse No
gasokie Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,448 Points:1,326,225 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Oct 31, 2012 12:32:21 PM Ignore gasokie Report Abuse If it ain't one thing it's another!!
Bearcat500 Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:9,732 Points:1,633,145 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Oct 31, 2012 7:12:40 AM Ignore Bearcat500 Report Abuse OK
geminijax Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:16,831 Points:2,729,025 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2010 12:12:48 AM Ignore geminijax Report Abuse It's 29 here right now, heading for 23! This is Florida! It isn't supposed to be freezing over here. Where's that global warming??? Al Gore, can you hear me now? He's probably nice and cosy in that mansion of his, running up gigantic utility bills.
ThatHunt Champion Author Dallas Posts:4,498 Points:1,956,535 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jan 4, 2010 11:29:13 PM Ignore ThatHunt Report Abuse this makes sense. it is unfortunate that we have winter at all.
heysailor Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:9,597 Points:2,335,595 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2010 10:51:07 PM Ignore heysailor Report Abuse Leave your heater off if you can, until your engine warms up.
antur Champion Author Chicago Posts:6,875 Points:1,450,820 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2009 1:02:50 PM Ignore antur Report Abuse No doubt.
djgunrunner Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:10,109 Points:2,350,555 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Dec 23, 2009 4:11:24 PM Ignore djgunrunner Report Abuse Until we all move to Hawaii we will just have to accept it but then the price shoots through the roof. Maybe its better we just tough it out.
car253 Champion Author Ohio Posts:6,303 Points:1,470,570 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Dec 23, 2009 1:03:17 PM Ignore car253 Report Abuse Maybe a little global warming will be good.
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:13,727 Points:1,693,830 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Dec 22, 2009 8:21:41 PM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse you should know it; you've been told often enough
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,315 Points:1,639,895 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Dec 20, 2009 11:01:17 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse I KNEW THAT!!
mapper92 All-Star Author British Columbia Posts:901 Points:58,470 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2009 1:12:41 AM Ignore mapper92 Report Abuse You mean the fact that alot of people leave their cars running when they go shopping isn't effecting the millage!!!!!!
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,643 Points:1,611,470 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2009 12:00:04 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse seriously... you mean, winter is bad for gas mileage? I would have NEVER thought that one... thank you genius PD. (okay, turning off the dripping sarcasm now).
sabob Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:12,519 Points:1,130,220 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 12:54:06 PM Ignore sabob Report Abuse that's it, I'm convinced to go south for the winter, [as if I wasn't going to do that anyway]
findcheap Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:9,607 Points:2,011,825 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 11:38:12 AM Ignore findcheap Report Abuse insignificant compared to just slowing down a few miles per hour, which most people refuse to do
t_flor Champion Author Illinois Posts:2,305 Points:960,390 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 10:22:29 AM Ignore t_flor Report Abuse So I wonder when "they" are going to tax us even more in the winter because of all the "extra" junk our cars emit during the winter months. I mean Cap-n-Tax after all!
sivart Champion Author Arkansas Posts:18,238 Points:3,072,910 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 10:17:23 AM Ignore sivart Report Abuse His logic doesn't work down South...I get better MPG in the winter than I do in the summer due to air conditioning. Our winters aren't like those up North so we don't take as long to warm our vehicles up and don't have all that snow to drive through!
5tevieray Rookie Author Oregon Posts:74 Points:845,980 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:42:44 AM Ignore 5tevieray Report Abuse It's a good idea to check tire pressure year around but you should resist pressurizing over the mfrs recommended pressure in severe cold. Your tires will warm up from friction and flexion while you drive and increase the pressure. Carrying a pressure gauge in the car and checking before and after driving will give you a fair reading, depending on the starting temperature, for the distance you're going and you can adjust accordingly. The mfr specs don't mention it but there is usually some leeway of a few pounds your tires can be overinflated to allow for this temperature fluctuation.
DeepInOhio Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,024 Points:656,560 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:32:49 AM Ignore DeepInOhio Report Abuse Yes, I realize that this is the GasBuddy Log... but it is also old news
Jeepp Champion Author Boston Posts:5,942 Points:1,297,845 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:29:11 AM Ignore Jeepp Report Abuse This makes me want to head south for the winter.
Pucked Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:1,091 Points:210,780 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:27:26 AM Ignore Pucked Report Abuse This is all true. I get about .4 to .5 lower MPG in the winter.
justinoles Champion Author Orlando Posts:2,329 Points:708,155 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:26:03 AM Ignore justinoles Report Abuse This post has been up for 3 days now!
kyrunner Champion Author Lexington Posts:8,987 Points:1,701,875 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:23:21 AM Ignore kyrunner Report Abuse Cars generally perform worse in the winter therefore fuel economy suffers.
CISA Champion Author Orange County Posts:5,956 Points:1,400,940 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:23:12 AM Ignore CISA Report Abuse Duh!
maske_2222 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:7,422 Points:1,500,005 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:23:04 AM Ignore maske_2222 Report Abuse Not really news.....
ifallsguy Champion Author Minnesota Posts:5,180 Points:1,553,670 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:22:23 AM Ignore ifallsguy Report Abuse This comes up every winter, fall, spring and summer
Metroman Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:8,244 Points:1,750,910 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:22:23 AM Ignore Metroman Report Abuse always has always will
murushi Champion Author Ontario Posts:8,112 Points:1,495,400 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:22:05 AM Ignore murushi Report Abuse I already drive the least possible amount. Can't reduce anymore.
gilfarm Champion Author Alabama Posts:6,806 Points:1,950,790 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:19:07 AM Ignore gilfarm Report Abuse Good reason to live in the South.
kruk Champion Author London Posts:2,997 Points:351,445 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:18:25 AM Ignore kruk Report Abuse it is given, reason why Sara Pailin is promoting dog sleds
defcon7 Champion Author St. Louis Posts:1,623 Points:213,620 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:17:41 AM Ignore defcon7 Report Abuse Nothing knew on this subject. Next!
The_Gunslinger Champion Author Arkansas Posts:1,897 Points:384,340 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:17:23 AM Ignore The_Gunslinger Report Abuse How astonishingly perceptive.
RamboOn66 Champion Author Tampa Posts:5,321 Points:1,886,755 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:17:18 AM Ignore RamboOn66 Report Abuse I guess that means warmer weather means better fuel economy. I wonder what a lot of bureaucratic "hot air" would deliver? [Edited by: RamboOn66 at 12/16/2009 9:21:32 EST]
1fuelish1 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:14,814 Points:1,855,195 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:17:00 AM Ignore 1fuelish1 Report Abuse However, colder air also means more air into the cylinders, generating higher pressures and providing more power. So, there is some compensation
curlypooh Champion Author New Jersey Posts:11,181 Points:2,007,745 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:14:53 AM Ignore curlypooh Report Abuse Everyone knows that except the idiots running the country.
wizzard1222 Champion Author St. Louis Posts:6,319 Points:1,853,990 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:14:48 AM Ignore wizzard1222 Report Abuse Yahhhh !!! That would seem pretty clear if you think about it !!!!
JXQW Champion Author Kansas City Posts:2,787 Points:684,925 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:12:31 AM Ignore JXQW Report Abuse I knew that one ...
Dale Jr. Champion Author Illinois Posts:16,239 Points:3,239,000 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:12:23 AM Ignore Dale Jr. Report Abuse Already know.
misterray Champion Author Oregon Posts:3,178 Points:721,865 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:12:18 AM Ignore misterray Report Abuse Boring.
Cuzilla Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:12,196 Points:2,351,130 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:11:14 AM Ignore Cuzilla Report Abuse You are preaching to the choir! Car-savvy Americans already know this.
ssect8 Champion Author Hartford Posts:8,004 Points:2,094,720 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:11:06 AM Ignore ssect8 Report Abuse This is nothing new, old news.
BartBuzz Champion Author Atlanta Posts:8,895 Points:1,777,710 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:10:37 AM Ignore BartBuzz Report Abuse Another GasBuddy blog. A waste of my time. But keep conserving.
JimL1 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:8,222 Points:1,243,395 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:10:36 AM Ignore JimL1 Report Abuse I do not know how far north you have to go to get your figures to make the statement that "cold weather can rob you of fuel economy." I have lived as far north as Maine and my gas milage always was better in winter than summer.
Bpers2001 All-Star Author Seattle Posts:735 Points:104,070 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:09:58 AM Ignore Bpers2001 Report Abuse All I know is that I'm still paying far too much. Regardless of the outside temperature.
bowser12304 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,930 Points:1,043,155 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:09:47 AM Ignore bowser12304 Report Abuse live with it if you live in central pa.
deerchaser All-Star Author Lincoln Posts:792 Points:1,253,210 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2009 9:08:39 AM Ignore deerchaser Report Abuse Maybe this is news for people who live in the warm zones, but it not for anyone who lives in the cold weather areas.