Gas mileage question


007hunter

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Re: Gas mileage question

It's normal for gas mileage to suffer in colder weather. Most of the reasons stated are correct.

Your engine does require a richer mixture when the fuel and air is colder. As the engine warms the computer starts to control the mixture until it reaches approx 14.7:1 air to fuel ratio. If you started out with this mixture your car would stumble badly or stall altogether. You have a temperature sensor in the engine which sends a message to the computer and tells the computer the mixture requirements. The colder the temperature outside the longer the engine takes to reach operating temp.

One thing often overlooked is the engine thermostat. On occasion the t-stat might not be closing completely when cold.This will delay warm up and can really hurt mileage.

There are a lot of pros and cons on engine warm up. I have always let an engine warm up some to help get not just the engine oil and coolant circulating but also warm transmission fluid and Power steering fluid as well. Personal preference maybe but after nearly 46 years in the auto repair business I have seen some strange things happen to cold steel!

You might want to have a good Tech. check your car but I am more inclined to think you are a victim of winter driving just like all the rest of us. Good Luck!!

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Guest huntinsanobsession

Re: Gas mileage question

around here they actually have a thicker kind of gas that the put in the tanks in the winter to keep it from freezing and you are only supposed to let your vehical run for about 30 seconds when warming up

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