Topic: Northern Exposure: Winter Maintenance for Maximizing Mileage

[Autos_Editor]

Justin offers a few tips for keeping your car running efficiently when the weather turns cold.

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[blur911]

Oddly no mention of "winter gas", the mileage on my vehicles takes about a 10% drop as soon as the reformulated gas comes out in the fall.

[MR2Pritch]

that could be all sorts of things...colder temperatures, installation of winter tires, a change in driving habits? etc...

I wonder if winter gas would actually cause an engine to use more of it by its formulation, though I doubt it. Anyone else experienced this?

[Danno001]

I wonder if winter gas would actually cause an engine to use more of it by its formulation, though I doubt it. Anyone else experienced this?

I deal quite a bit with fuel companies and yes they have confirmed when asked that the formulation for winter is "lighter" and contains less BTUs per liter, which means you use more of it to travel the same distance vs. summer blend. They would not give details beyond that.

[tpl]

The easy way to make winter gas is to add a bit more ethanol and/or some other light fraction.  Less likely to freeze as the ethanol will suck up any water and less btus as well.

[philmcneal]

thanks for the formula, i always do km/L to get xx km/L but now i know how to do 100km/L thanks to you

[dkaz]

I hate winter gas, it's cramping my Mazda 3's fuel economy style, but I guess it's a necessary evil.

[ArticSteve]

Good article.

[veedog]

How does the "use electrical accessories like the heater and the lights more often" raise gas consumption in winter?  The alternator doesn't adjust to usage does it?   

[blur911]

How does the "use electrical accessories like the heater and the lights more often" raise gas consumption in winter?  The alternator doesn't adjust to usage does it?   

Of course the alternator adjusts to load, add more load and it gets harder to turn as it has to supply more current.  Voltage will stay the same.
But, the load is relatively really not a lot.  Even an alternator putting out 100 amps would only require about 2 or 3 hp.  AC uses up far more power in the summer.

[chrone]

that could be all sorts of things...colder temperatures, installation of winter tires, a change in driving habits? etc...

I wonder if winter gas would actually cause an engine to use more of it by its formulation, though I doubt it. Anyone else experienced this?

Yes, with gas reformulation your car will take more gasoline and you will get less mileage
You can increase the octane by adding a can that you can buy at auto parts (octane booster)

[mixmanmash]

that could be all sorts of things...colder temperatures, installation of winter tires, a change in driving habits? etc...

I wonder if winter gas would actually cause an engine to use more of it by its formulation, though I doubt it. Anyone else experienced this?

Yes, with gas reformulation your car will take more gasoline and you will get less mileage
You can increase the octane by adding a can that you can buy at auto parts (octane booster)

Lol.  That can of crap makes little to no difference.  When they say it raises octane 10 points, it means from 87, you'll be at 88.  15 points means 88.5.