Mpg in winter

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by flatbedrunner, Mar 3, 2013.

  1. flatbedrunner

    flatbedrunner Bobtail Member

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    Jun 29, 2011
    rock falls, il
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    My mpg last summer was 6.67 for a average. Last months MPG was down to 5.59. Any ideas what happened?? Everything is the same except my MPG.
     
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  3. MJ1657

    MJ1657 Road Train Member

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    Isanti, MN
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    Winter fuel, cold air, and increased idle time will easily do that.
     
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  4. rbrtwbstr

    rbrtwbstr Road Train Member

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    in the bush somewhere
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    5.59 you are doing GREAT!. mine has gone from 5.78 in august to 4.4 in january. but i also need to run the engine at 900rpm to unlaod, which can take an hour or so,which sucks fuel
    Like MJ1657 said, winter fuel and cold air.
     
  5. flatbedrunner

    flatbedrunner Bobtail Member

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    Jun 29, 2011
    rock falls, il
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    Thats what everybody keeps telling me but if cold air does it. Then why do people put cold air induction on there engines to help with performance? Also what is in the winter blend that makes the fuel burn so poorly?
     
  6. Dieselgeek

    Dieselgeek Medium Load Member

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    Nov 25, 2012
    Minnesota
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    Winter fuel has less BTU's, so it takes more fuel to make your truck move...
     
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  7. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    It's more winter blends than cold air. The cold air is more dense. It creates more drag on the truck.

    Just some of the reasoning's behind winter fuel mileage loss.
     
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  8. MJ1657

    MJ1657 Road Train Member

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    Im no expert but it has something to do with the density of cold air. Im sure someone will explain it.

    You don't notice it as much on the electronic trucks but the old mechanical pump trucks were real dogs on #1 fuel.
     
  9. critters

    critters <b>Late For Dinner</b>

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    traverse city,MI
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    the dense winter air has the same effects as what you would refer to as burning rich,that's why in some parts of the country they have trucks set up for mountain driving the engine is timing is differently. dense air makes for a bad fuel/air mix
     
  10. Busy dad

    Busy dad Bobtail Member

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    Feb 7, 2013
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    winter fuel gives off less heat (btu) than summer fuel . The idea behind a cold air intake is to get the cooler ( more dense ) air to get more power, most cars get their air from under the hood where it is far hotter..Increased idle time is one of the biggest culprits , of fuel mileage decrease..
     
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  11. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    Better performance = more power. More power requires more fuel.

    The key is that they add cold air induction for better performance, not better fuel economy.
     
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