The Ultimate MPG thread.
#1221
Member
Also to add - warm up time. If you idle to warm up (like using remote start) that will make a big difference in your MPG. Even if you don't let it sit to warm up the engine will use more gas driving with a cold engine - plus the fact that the transmission and rear end are cold along with your tires for the first 20 or so miles. All this makes a noted difference.
#1222
Member
Never use remote start or doing any "warm up" unless the windows a frosted over. In fact the "Start / Stop" feature makes me a more patient driver when it comes to pulling out into traffic. This trip was the first use of the heated seats and the steering wheel....nice features
#1223
"Winter gas" is mostly myth; fuel usually has 10% ethanol everywhere, year round. Vehicles get lower gas mileage in the winter for 2 reasons, in order: 1) air is colder and therefore denser, therefore more fuel must be metered to maintained proper air-fuel mixture, and 2) air is colder and therefore denser, which offers more aerodynamic resistance.
Every spring gas prices seem to skyrocket to the highest prices of the year. Why does this happen? In explanation, we hear the experts say that many of the refineries are “down for maintenance while transitioning from winter-blend to summer-blend gasoline,” but what does this mean?The difference between summer- and winter-blend gasoline involves the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) of the fuel. RVP is a measure of how easily the fuel evaporates at a given temperature. The more volatile a gasoline (higher RVP), the easier it evaporates.Winter-blend fuel has a higher RVP because the fuel must be able to evaporate at low temperatures for the engine to operate properly, especially when the engine is cold. If the RVP is too low on a frigid day, the vehicle will be hard to start and once started, will run rough.Summer-blend gasoline has a lower RVP to prevent excessive evaporation when outside temperatures rise. Reducing the volatility of summer gas decreases emissions that can contribute to unhealthy ozone and smog levels. A lower RVP also helps prevent drivability problems such as vapor lock on hot days, especially in older vehicles.The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says conventional summer-blend gasoline contains 1.7 percent more energy than winter-blend gas, which is one reason why gas mileage is slightly better in the summer. However, the summer-blend is also more expensive to produce, and that cost is passed on to the motorist.The switch between the two fuels happens twice a year, once in the fall (to winter-blend) and again in the spring (to summer-blend). The changeover requires significant work at refineries, so oil companies schedule their maintenance for those times when they will already be “down” for the blend switches.As a consumer, the main thing to understand is that there are real reasons for the switch from winter- to summer-blend fuel, even if it results in some pain at the pump.
#1224
Member
IT's not the ethanol content, it's the aromatic content that changes. Winter blend uses volatiles that evaporate faster in warm weather and are not used in summer blend. I can tell the difference between the two blends just by the smell. It has a stronger Benzene smell to it.
https://newsroom.aaa.com/2013/06/wha...lend-gasoline/
https://newsroom.aaa.com/2013/06/wha...lend-gasoline/
#1225
Air density is moot with the EB due to the turbos, but all other factors combined, cold temps, different fuel blends, longer warm ups, etc. all take their toll. Take a trip to FL with Chicago gas in the tank, and it will still get poor MPG even though the air is warmer and not as dense. Drove a Hybrid there and the MPG did not improve the week I was down there to what it normally got during the summer. The fuel blend does play a part in it all. With the 3 trucks I have had over the past 4 years, the difference between winter and summer is roughly 1.5 MPG. With the NA vehicles I had, it was a much larger difference, closer to 3-4 MPG, the hybrids took a nearly 10 MPG hit, but that was mainly due to having the heater going which needs the engine running. My Diesel, that had the largest impact, 5 MPG difference.
#1226
Member
Air density is moot with the EB due to the turbos, but all other factors combined, cold temps, different fuel blends, longer warm ups, etc. all take their toll. Take a trip to FL with Chicago gas in the tank, and it will still get poor MPG even though the air is warmer and not as dense. Drove a Hybrid there and the MPG did not improve the week I was down there to what it normally got during the summer. The fuel blend does play a part in it all. With the 3 trucks I have had over the past 4 years, the difference between winter and summer is roughly 1.5 MPG. With the NA vehicles I had, it was a much larger difference, closer to 3-4 MPG, the hybrids took a nearly 10 MPG hit, but that was mainly due to having the heater going which needs the engine running. My Diesel, that had the largest impact, 5 MPG difference.
This is why we had to adjust carburetors back in the day to account for changing air, and also why drag racing has the quickest ETs in the fall: engines make more horsepower with cooler air, and it takes more fuel to feed those horses. Not saying the blend doesn't pay a part, but stoich wins.
Last edited by dukedkt442; 10-25-2018 at 12:21 PM.
#1227
Well, when you put it that way, now it makes perfect sense. I was thinking air density as in intake air, not aerodynamics. When I drove my MKT to Florida in December the MPG was no different than in Summer once we got to Georgia and temps were in the mid 50's. I saw a 2 MPG increase down south. That one had the 3.5 EB in it.
#1228
Renaissance Honky
Density is minor, a major change is in the temperature of the air. Every ounce of air has to be heated from ambient to the temperature of combustion, and that temperature does not change. Your exhaust gas temperature does not change much either. Run that through the Carnot cycle and you'll find a loss of efficiency.
Add that to:
There's your mileage loss on winter gas.
I'll go half-way on the 'warm up your car' debate. milder cold temperatures (above freezing), eh, probably not worth the time/gas involved to idle the car for a few minutes.
Less than about 20°F? Yeah, a couple minutes is a good thing.
Less than about 0°F? Idle your damn truck for a good five minutes.
Add that to:
- increased air density and aerodynamic drag
- decreased temperature of lubricants and tires
- reduction in fuel BTU by the switch to a blend of lighter hydrocarbons
There's your mileage loss on winter gas.
I'll go half-way on the 'warm up your car' debate. milder cold temperatures (above freezing), eh, probably not worth the time/gas involved to idle the car for a few minutes.
Less than about 20°F? Yeah, a couple minutes is a good thing.
Less than about 0°F? Idle your damn truck for a good five minutes.
#1229
Senior Member
Currently running 5*'s 91 octane perf only tune on a 6" rough country lift with 35's... can easily get about 18 combined on it with about 20 on Highway.
Have yet to try the 91 Octane Perf/Tow tune where it is said that the ECo Mode on that is way better and more apt for it.
Have yet to try the 91 Octane Perf/Tow tune where it is said that the ECo Mode on that is way better and more apt for it.
#1230