Bad fuel mileage in cold weather?

I have to laugh at people that think they know what they're talking about but know absolutely nothing. To describe exactly how an internal combustion engine works and then call it "inventing a new engine" oh that's classic. man.

But, to answer your first question, yes engines burn less the higher they go. Welcome to the world of the real internal combustion engine which you apparently know nothing about.

Engines don't work in a vacuum, but in order for the fuel air mixture to be correct, less fuel must be injected into the cylinder when air is less dense. At some point there is not enough air to support combustion enough to allow the engine to run at all or it would have so little power the aircraft couldn't maintain an altitude above that. Welcome to what is known as and airplanes "service ceiling". This problem can be delayed and service ceiling raised by installing a turbo or super charger on an engine. This helps maintain sea level pressure inside the engine up to a higher altitude giving the plane much higher and much faster cruise speeds than it normally would have. In planes and cars they are used to increase horsepower output as well, but mostly at sea level since most cars don't fly.

All engines, recips and even turbines, burn less fuel the higher up in elevation they are because the air is less dense. That would be why airliners cruise at 35000 feet. That's also why you must lean the mixture in older aircraft the higher you climb. Otherwise the mixture becomes too rich and the engine loses more power than it normally would and can foul the plugs.

But I didn't invent the internal combustion engine, but I am certified to work on them.. You may not want to question a licensed mechanic about engines. You make yourself look really stupid.

The Fuel Air Mixture

"All internal combustion engines are air-breathing; consequently, they are quite sensitive to any change in pressure and quality of the air they breathe. Neither reciprocating nor gas turbine engines "suck" in the air they displace; rather, air is forced into the engine by atmospheric pressure. The same is true of the supercharger which simply displaces its volume at a much faster rate and supplies air to its engine at a pressure above atmospheric, up to a given differential.

Since the pressure of the atmosphere decreases with altitude, likewise will be the force available to push air into the engine. A decrease in atmospheric pressure also results in expansion of the air causing it to become less dense, so what air does go into the engine has less oxygen because of expansion.

Under such conditions the naturally aspirated (breathing solely by atmospheric pressure) engine's power output will be proportional to the atmospheric pressure present at any given altitude. Decreasing air density could further aggravate power loss if the fuel flow is not reduced to match the lesser amounts of oxygen associated with less dense air."

 

For added savings buy your additives at Walmart or an auto parts store or occasionally at a smaller truck repair shop. You will literally pay half the price than at a ta or Pilot.
The TA’s seem to have a 200 to 500 percent mark up on parts as well.

 

Absolutely, Walmart has gallons of Lucas fuel treatment, for $25, and delvac for 10.48, both are currently on “ rollback” Lol I see Case prices online for fppe for $6 ea. Truckstops up to $8 or $9. Antifreeze, don’t even think about it, Lol. Final charge,$28 for 50/50. TSC has it for $13. Maybe less. I keep my eyes open, found Final charge a while back at Menards home improvement for $8 a gallon. You never know, what you’ll find.

 

Fuel meant for colder temps have less BTUs than summer fuel. Winds tend to be stronger in the winters too. Also add the fact that you’re slowing down and speeding up more often in icy conditions.... well most people do I just like the coast or slightly pull. Funny enough I get way better fuel mileage in during snow or icy conditions because I drive like there’s eggshells under the brake and throttle. But when it’s dry and warm I keep the foot down.

 

Think of it this way. A gallon of fuel contains a certain amount of potential energy, if you dilute it with something that’s not fuel, you have less actual energy per gallon, this lower mpg.

 

If you're adding Howes to your fuel and overdo it, your fuel mileage will plummet - 2, 3 or 4 mpg lower. Follow the directions on the bottle, mileage won't go down very much, maybe 1/2 a mile per gallon when its cold. Small price to pay to keep moving.

 

I put a roof deflector on my truck this winter. Saved about $50 per 600 km rounder on fuel. Air density in winter is killer on mpg. I seriously doubt it will be making a recordable difference this summer.

 

That’s what I was going to say...

The only thing I would add is that Diesel engines are slightly more efficient at higher operating temperatures.

The other thing to consider is that your tire pressure drops in cold weather.