16 3.5 eco. 120K

I moved from AZ to ID. So extra cold this year for me and the truck. After I start her 10 minutes early ill start driving her and she's extra sluggish. Almost hard to hear the turbo.. just to get to 65mph requires me to downshift a few times and my mpg stays low..like 12 or 14. Later on when its 35F and I have driven a bit she is better off..no engine lights. Have done plugs and some throttle sensor reset.

Any ideas here? By cold.. I mean 15-25F as well as a cold engine first in the AM. Thx

 

120k. I'm assuming you have done the basic tune-ups as required? Throttle Body cleaned ever? Condition of air filter? and what type of gas do you burn?

 

The 10 minute idle time is definitely hurting your fuel numbers.

Not sure if it is a power thing or a transmission thing. Transmissions shift slow when fluid is cold. And the shift strategy is also meant to hold a gear longer until a certain fluid temperature. It aids in faster engine warmup up time. In cold, the computer is making the fuel mixture more rich, also contributing to lower economy.
I can't relate to any 'performance' issues related to colder weather but it will suck more fuel and it the transmission shift strategy will be noticeably different.

I can't gauge anything on "can't hear the turbos". I can only hear the turbos in mine at certain rpm, with a passenger window lowered and quiet environment.

I feel like this is an experience related to the colder weather that you just haven't experienced before.
I don't think 25 is too cold for those things to be emphasized, but noticeable. If it is 15 for an extended time, for sure.

 

As mentioned i have replaced my plugs. Probably multiple air filters too. But..never have cleaned the throttle body. That is something I could do just to say its been done. I will research that. The gasoline I burn.. just plain jane 87?? And when i said my mpg drops, I don't mean my avg..I mean my instantaneous reading will be consistently under 15 when I'm cruising in 6th doing 65 for the majority of my 15 mile trip. Pretty flat too.

thanks.

 

Winter grade fuel is part of what you are seeing. Cold grease in wheel bearings and drivelines increases drag. Cold tires have increased rolling resistance. Cold temperatures mean denser air resulting in more drag. Snow on roads increases rolling resistance. All of this, along with your idle time adds up.

 

There is a chance that you just got some 'not to spec' gas. I burn 91, only top tier gas in mine. Not to start a gas thread, but if it were me, I'd do a throttle body clean, buy some 93 Shell gas, and see if that doesn't help. Being in the Midwest, we are use to a slow start in the cold, and never have high expectations until they are warmed up a bit.

 

It will feel sluggish in cold weather, stuff needs to warm up. The engine warms fast in my 2.7, but the trans is a cold heart-ed thing, mine takes 20 miles just to reach operating temp, at 20 F or less. Steering will be stiff also. You'll also nsit high in the drivers seat till the cushions warm up, for a shorty like me (5.5 ft) it is quite noticeable! KM

 

If you can handle it, don't idle for 10 minutes. Idle it for as long as it takes to get in, get seated, seat belt on, check mirrors/radio, and go. Drive easy for awhile till up to operating temp ranges of course

You mentioned something about 'later on when warm' and 'no engine lights', what does that mean?

 

15-25*, ha, that ain't cold. As 2017bluetruck said. I wouldn't worry about it, just get used to it.
Do you like going out to where ever when it's cold? Neither do machines.

 

I can understand the shock of life up here to an AZ dweller. Just to bolster what I put down earlier, drove my truck out to 2 stores in Burlington, 5 miles in town itself, 8 miles 55 MPH on the local bypass, had been out 4 hours earlier for a blood test. The heat was on 1/2 way thru town, trans temp was 145 when I got home. 30 degrees short of operating temp. KM