Winter fuel economy?

[thatoneguy]

Anyone else's mpg seemingly going down this winter? I don't know if that's a normal thing for "winter gas". I'm struggling to get 16 lately.

 

[92-SR5]

Mine always stays the same it seems :shrug:

 

[WoodsRunner88]

My 94 22RE seems to get worse mileage in the winter also, I think it is a mix of the higher start up idle, higher normal idle once it is warmed up, and also I run my heater fan more, so I believe it is normal. It has been the same cycle since 94.

 

[thatoneguy]

My 94 22RE seems to get worse mileage in the winter also, I think it is a mix of the higher start up idle, higher normal idle once it is warmed up, and also I run my heater fan more, so I believe it is normal. It has been the same cycle since 94.

Does using the heater hurt it? I have my heater on 100% of the time lately.

 

[shadow247]

Using the heater should not affect the fuel economy, but if you are using the Defroster, it may lower overall fuel economy. The defroster turns on the A/C compressor to dry out the air being forced through the vents, so that will contribute to lower than normal MPG.

 

[nevada]

My 94 22RE seems to get worse mileage in the winter also, I think it is a mix of the higher start up idle, higher normal idle once it is warmed up, and also I run my heater fan more, so I believe it is normal. It has been the same cycle since 94.

also, the engine is cold, so it will be running rich for a bit to get it up to temp.
also, any idle/warm up time before you start driving.

Does using the heater hurt it? I have my heater on 100% of the time lately.

you may see a slight decrease from the heater. the more current you draw, the more the alternator has to put out, putting just a bit more load on the engine.

but, as said above, its normal. also, the winter gas isnt as good, you'll get a decrease from that aswell. i went from averaging 20, to 17. and has been normal since owning it.

 

[Hyde802]

Mine always drops a little in the winter... letting the truck warm up more, driving in snow, drifting, colder temps.. all seem to take a toll on the MPG..

 

[thatoneguy]

Mine always drops a little in the winter... letting the truck warm up more, driving in snow, drifting, colder temps.. all seem to take a toll on the MPG..

Haha, nice casual touch there.

I never knew using the defrost turns on the a/c compressor. I usually have it on the "fresh" setting as well.

I'm undergeared @ 4.10 on 31's, I live in a dense neighborhood with hills next to a university. I'm getting 15mpg 100% city right now, suddenly that doesn't seem so bad with winter. Beats walking.

 

[4runnertank]

I just drove from OH to TN and got a whopping 12.8 mpg:wacko:

 

[77'911]

4runner mpg

Anyone else's mpg seemingly going down this winter? I don't know if that's a normal thing for "winter gas". I'm struggling to get 16 lately.

Our mileage definitely takes a hit in the winter, longer warm cycle, winter petrol, and increasing use of ethanol. We've yet to fill up after the new speedo head/cable, so I'll get a better idea of current mpg results. Generally we're getting 13-16 mpg city and 19-20 hwy(this is on E10, 87 octane). I think we would do much better on the non ethanol stuff, which I might experiment with.
Replacing the o2 sensor recently, helped to improve mpg results on our 1990 4runner.
regards

 

[fourwd1]

Your mpg goes down in the winter because the gasoline formula changes for the winter for emissions reasons.
It sucks, but that's your government at work.