Do winter temps affect gas mileage?

Hi everyone -

Lately, I've been getting a bit lower gas mileage that I usually do. Throughout last summer and fall, I was averaging 22.5-23.5 miles per gallon overall on a tank of fuel. With the winter, the numbers have consistently been in between 20 and 21.2. I haven't really changed driving habits, and I check the air pressure in the tires often and correct when necessary.

I'm wondering if the cold temperatures and the winter blended fuels may be making a difference in fuel mileage.

I thought about additives, but have been told that additives are really not needed.

Just wondering everyone's opinion. Many thanks for your replies.

-Michael
 

contractor

New member
The winter fuel is blended differently to reduce waxes and reduce the "cloud point". I understand it is actually cut with kerosene, not sure, but the end result is lower BTU per gallon and thus reduced mileage. I find a 10% reduction of MPG in the winter which is consistent with your results.
I have never tried an additive but I've been told it can help. Please share the results with the forum if you give it a shot
 
Would other members of the board have an additive they could recommend that has been used and has yielded good results?

-Miichael
 

KenB

Member
Good results with Power Service Diesel Improver/Additive (White bottle, red/black lettering) for winter use. It may not, however result in increased mileage... however, it will add precious lubrication, cloud point reduction, water/emulsion cleanup, and possibly start a bit easier.

Kerosene added to winter mix diesel is not as lubricating as summer diesel. The additive helps ensure that your diesel pumps/injectors survive the lower quality winter fuel for more miles/years to come.

For summer time, Power Service cetane improver (Silver/Gray bottle) is good at adding cetane rating if your diesel fuel supply is not so good. Redline fuel treatments have a good reputation, Stanadyne is recommended at the diesel engine specialist here in Oklahoma City, Amsoil seems reputable... I seem to be able to get the Power Service products at several places here in OKC (O-Reilly's, Wal Mart, Autozone, etc.), so that helps me out... of course Wal Mart has a good price on the big bottle.

I carry the bottle attached to that weird little bracket of un-known purpose inside the driver's side door. And I keep a little 8oz. bottle in the driver's door to meaure it out... Lab-bottle (nalgene) required as this stuff breaks down my first choice (poly carbonate, un-breakable bottle, had a really nice flip-top, pour spout, good seals, etc.). So of course that bottle did not work, poly carbonate (tuff Stuff) was falling apart in just 8 hours (cracking into little squares, especially in the stress area where the seal/cap screws down.

KenB
 

topless

Wichita, KS
There are 2 common blends for diesel fuel, #1 & #2. #1 is the winter blend, #2 is the summer blend.
Every diesel I've ever owned gets less mpg with #1.
 
Great info, Ken - thanks for sharing.

Do you add your preferred additive with each fill-up, or do you stagger it a bit?

Thanks for the helpful info,
Michael
 

acvr4

New member
Good results with Power Service Diesel Improver/Additive (White bottle, red/black lettering) for winter use.
For summer time, Power Service cetane improver (Silver/Gray bottle) is good
KenB
:laughing: Just be sure you change over to the white bottle when it gets cold :rolleyes: The start of winter here in New England wasn't to bad and I kept using the summer stuff. Well a night of cold cold weather was enough to stop me my tracks. Luckily it wasn't to bad and I just heated the metal line near the filter. I put some winter blend in the tank and once I got it going I topped the tank an added some more.

I also lost a bit of mileage too this winter too - not by much just a little though.
 

david_42

Active member
I see a 9% reduction in mileage in the winter. All of the local stations are posted as #2 diesel, but the mileage change is abrupt enough, that I'm certain they are blending.
 

jacques1111

New member
In winter the air is denser so the air resistance is higher wich increase the energy needed to move the vehicule, and the air resistance increase at the square of the speed. So the faster you go the greater the increas in petrol consumption.
In cold air the power of the engine is increased and accordingly the fuel consumption.
When it is very cold the rolling resistance increase and the oil in the various part of the transmission is less fluid and that increase resistance.
I live in center Quebec province and it could be very cold there and at -40 Farenheit or Celsius the vehicule have a lot of difficulty to move at the beginning.
In very cold periods with a gas engine i can consume over twice more fuel than in warm summer days. And it is a lot worse since we have injection in gas engines because the injection take into account factors like air density and inject more fuel to compensate etc. The net result is a huge increase in fuel consumption in winter.
I had a volkswagen rabbit in 1980 and i was surprise how little difference in fuel consumption between summer and winter. I intend to buy a Sprinter soon and i wish that it will be a bit like the rabbit or yours and just consume 1% more in winter than summer
 

contractor

New member
We'll I finally decided to try a fuel additive.
I have never had trouble with gelled fuel (even at 0F) but was hoping a centane boost may have some positive effect on the fuel economy.
In the summer I typically get 21 MPG and the winter it drops to 19 MPG. I decided to try Power Service centane boost diesel treatment in the white bottle. I tried this for two full tanks of fuel. If there was any change, it is transparent to me. The mileage stayed at 19 MPG, the performance feels the same, and I never had problems with gelled fuel so no benefit there either. :bash:
 

Nate

Member
I tried this for two full tanks of fuel. If there was any change, it is transparent to me. The mileage stayed at 19 MPG, the performance feels the same, and I never had problems with gelled fuel so no benefit there either.
You may not notice a mileage difference but it is good for your engine.

With ULSD there is a loss of lubricity which is not good for your injection pump as it is lubricated by the fuel.

By using an additive such as Power Service it will bring back some of the lubricity that was lost on the change to ULSD.
 

contractor

New member
You may not notice a mileage difference but it is good for your engine.

With ULSD there is a loss of lubricity which is not good for your injection pump as it is lubricated by the fuel.

By using an additive such as Power Service it will bring back some of the lubricity that was lost on the change to ULSD.
Hello Nate:

The marketing departments of these products would love for you to think they "add lubricity". This is not the product to add if you want lubricity ... if that is your goal then add 1 quart of biodiesel for each half tank fill of diesel. Please read the link and you will find it to be an eye opener. I am not surprised by the results because I read the MSDS sheets for mosts of these products are they are composed of solvents (and usually toxic ones at that). I contacted a local manufacturer of biodiesel and he offered to fill a 5 gallon container since he normally only sells to wholesalers. I will post again once I get to evaluate the blending the B100 with my tank fuel to make a B02 blend:rad:http://inchoate.harm.org/~halbritt/dodge/Diesel%20Fuel%20Additive%20V3.pdf
 
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floorman

New member
Have not been to cocerned with milage,or there lack of.But fuel line freeze ,no start,that another story.Truck driver friend told me about additives and gave me five gallons .I do add if going to be below 30 .seem to do alittle to help mpg. but i run my van , 70 - 80 mph cruz control 1-1 1/2 hrs @ atime.With quick calculations it imprroved from 16/17mpg to 17/18. still better than my old van at 11/12.but not what i was looking for .Iknow all about the rear end gears 6cycl.over 5cycl.etc.... I bought because of the SPACE .Fuel mpg all an extra
 

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