Winter vs summer gasoline blends
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 9:44 am
http://www.accuweather.com/en/features/ ... r/42550588
I think the main difference in fuel economy is all the effects of the cold air itself which have a significant additive effect on drag:
- Cold oil takes more HP to run the oil pump
- Engine is in enrichment mode longer (and the colder the temp, the greater the initial enrichment is)
- Not only does it take longer to warm up the engine just because it starts at a colder temp, but we're also cranking the heat, which pulls heat from the engine while it's trying to warm up, increasing the time even further
- Cold differential/axle lube which adds drag
- Dense air adds aero drag
- Alternator regulator will output higher voltage in cold weather, by design, to overcome greater battery resistance. I would wager that this has a small additive effect on power usage.
Some of these things have a greater impact than others, but they all add up together for sure.
I think the main difference in fuel economy is all the effects of the cold air itself which have a significant additive effect on drag:
- Cold oil takes more HP to run the oil pump
- Engine is in enrichment mode longer (and the colder the temp, the greater the initial enrichment is)
- Not only does it take longer to warm up the engine just because it starts at a colder temp, but we're also cranking the heat, which pulls heat from the engine while it's trying to warm up, increasing the time even further
- Cold differential/axle lube which adds drag
- Dense air adds aero drag
- Alternator regulator will output higher voltage in cold weather, by design, to overcome greater battery resistance. I would wager that this has a small additive effect on power usage.
Some of these things have a greater impact than others, but they all add up together for sure.