Mileage changes

[Jeffrey Olson]

I got my 99 6 cylinder SE last July. It got between 30 and 32 mpg until it started getting cold in later October. All winter and spring it got 25 to 26 mpg. When the temperature got back into the 90s, I'm getting 30 mpg again.

Is this a simple aberration - my car, or is this something others experience?

By the way, I have done nothing to the car over the 25,000 miles I put on it during the last year except change oil every 3k to 5k, and suspension parts.

Jeff...

[Mole]

different gas additives from the gas stations.

[Midias]

Could it be possiable that with the colder more dense air of the winter more fuel is being added to keep the proper mixture.

[kwyse]

It takes way longer for your engine to warm up in the cold weather, thus your gas mileage is awful because you are not at the optimum driving conditions. In summer you engine warms up in under a minute instead of say the five minutes it might take in winter. I usually averaged around 250 miles per tank this winter and am now pushing 400 for summer.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

It takes way longer for your engine to warm up in the cold weather, thus your gas mileage is awful because you are not at the optimum driving conditions. In summer you engine warms up in under a minute instead of say the five minutes it might take in winter. I usually averaged around 250 miles per tank this winter and am now pushing 400 for summer.

^^^ DING DING DING, we have a winner. As indicated, in the winter months, the cold start will bring up your rpms to reduce the time it takes to warm up the car. The engine revving decreses MPG's. Also the gas blend in the winters is not the best for mpgs, summer has the best blend for gas.

[philosophicaljt]

Also the gas blend in the winters is not the best for mpgs, summer has the best blend for gas.

it has more to due with this than anything.

[99V6solaraSE]

i almost thought he had the 4cyl.. cuz thats some damn good gas mileage

[Snake2715]

Wow so should I be pulling above 30 mpg? I assume it has something to do with sea level as well correct?

[wekillyou]

i managed 450+ on a tank last week. i try to not drive like a dickhead.

[99V6solaraSE]

ok i can see 450 being possible with a lotta highway miles in that...
but getting 30 - 32 mpg is getting 540 -576 miles on one tank.. thats pretty insane imo

[Jeffrey Olson]

In the summer I regularly go 500 miles between fillups. I drive 60 - 65 mph on rough country roads using the cruise control. I know all gas gauges read differently, but when I hit the 1/4 mark, I am at 150 miles, the 1/2 mark, 300 miles, and the 3/4 mark, about 400. Tailwinds raise the mileage 3 to 4 mpg. Headwinds cut it 2 to 3 mpg...

I think I spend too much time in the car... javascript:emoticon(':D')
javascript:emoticon(':D')

Jeff...

[wekillyou]

i do about 85% highway miles. and i go between 80-100mph.