Cold weather MPG sadness

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by shatteredsquare, Jan 7, 2020.

  1. shatteredsquare

    shatteredsquare Road Train Member

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    If the whole point of a cold air intake is to cool the air prior to ingestion, so it's more oxygen dense, then why tf does the MPG go kaput in the winter. Shouldn't the engine be stronger sucking cold air?

    1 mpg difference over a week is like +250 bucks...:(
     
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  3. Hulld

    Hulld Road Train Member

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    Think of all the extra resistance there are on cold turning bearings and cold thick oils among other things such as blowing head winds and idling to stay warm to name a few.
     
  4. Chubby Fly

    Chubby Fly Medium Load Member

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    In off road conditions, the crossmember bolts get loosened up. BEfore retightening, take those out and replace them with fine thread flange bolts class 10.9 or grade 8. Say goodbye to a boring life
     
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  5. GFTLLC

    GFTLLC Light Load Member

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    I've seen on here in several places that the winter blend fuels will cause a .5 or more mpg decrease. I actually just asked this in a different thread and someone posted that mpg will rise in the summer due to the fuel mix. Kerosene was also mentioned there. The post is in ask an owner operator under poor fuel mileage.
     
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  6. Anywhichwaybutloose

    Anywhichwaybutloose Light Load Member

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    Due to a mix of # 1 and # 2 diesel. The more #1, the colder you can go but MPG goes down. Beats gelling up.
     
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  7. The Biggest Dawg

    The Biggest Dawg Light Load Member

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    This is the correct answer. I used to deliver diesel.
     
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  8. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    Mine usually tanks .5 to 1 mpg in the winter. I track my fuel tank to tank - last 5 years, religiously. Never fails.
     
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  9. Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

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    Yeah kinda sucks all around. Winter fuel is less efficient, but hopefully your bunk heater will off set that. Summer fuel gets better mileage, but you may see more idle which off sets it. ####'d if you do, ####'d if you don't.
     
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  10. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Gettin' down westbound
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    I got 2mpg running thru a nice 40-50 mph headwind in south dakota last weekend . Had the pedal on the floor and couldnt get it out of 11th gear .
     
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  11. LDLWells

    LDLWells Heavy Load Member

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    It stays 4.5mpg year round. Just start hauling 120k gross and you won't even notice
     
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