Has anybody noticed a decrease in mileage since the gas prices have dropped? I have a 4mpg drop since my last oil change, 800 miles ago. That is according to the dashboard gage. It is a overall average reading. It would not surprise me that the oil companies are producing a lower quality fuel, charging less but you have to buy more. In the end it costs the same, or more for fuel that we were paying last winter.
That seems awful “conspiracy theorist” of you. 
My mileage has probably gone down due to the fact that the weight of my foot and gas prices are inversely proportional. 
I try and avoid anything with ethanol in it. It is a fact that non ethanol fuel provides better MPG than equivalent octane rated fuel with ethanol. (although minor as it is)
I try and avoid anything with ethanol in it. It is a fact that non ethanol fuel provides better MPG than equivalent octane rated fuel with ethanol. (although minor as it is)
That’s true, but they can’t sneak EtOH into gas without divulging that information to you at the pump.
Haha. The ol’ ethanol blame game. In my pickup, a 30% blend of ethanol provides me with the best mileage. However, 30% is hard to find here in the metro. Get out west then it’s easier from Montevideo on home.
I personally have lost 3.5 miles per gallon this winter. I’ve blamed it on the winter blend and my truck turning 195k. It’s probably Al Gore’s fault though.
I’ve also been getting worse mileage but I thought maybe it was just the cold weather…
Now that I know I can blame the government or something instead though I’m going to do that.
Haha. The ol’ ethanol blame game. In my pickup, a 30% blend of ethanol provides me with the best mileage. However, 30% is hard to find here in the metro. Get out west then it’s easier from Montevideo on home.
I personally have lost 3.5 miles per gallon this winter. I’ve blamed it on the winter blend and my truck turning 195k. It’s probably Al Gore’s fault though.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/ethanol.shtml
Not blaming – just the facts. 
How much idling is being done to warm up the trucks? I’ve lost 3 mpg this winter, too, but I’ve been idling so I can get into a warm truck. My current tank, I haven’t been warming the truck up, and I’m getting my best tank by 4 mpg in 3 months.
How much idling is being done to warm up the trucks? I’ve lost 3 mpg this winter, too, but I’ve been idling so I can get into a warm truck. My current tank, I haven’t been warming the truck up, and I’m getting my best tank by 4 mpg in 3 months.
That’s what I am talking about!!! During our really cold streaks up here, I attributed my lower gas mileage to the idling that I was doing after work at the bar… Warming the car for the ride home and just plain making sure the sucker would start before making the 17 mile journey home. one morning my wife went out and started it before I left to teach… Filled my tank yesterday and and the last tank I was back up to 29-30 over the 26-27 mpg. During the summer fall period, I was 30-33 on my long trips…
Mark
most modern vehicles will also have different shift patterns in colder weather. For example, in most Chrysler products, the torque convertor will not go into full lock-up until the transmission fluid is up to a certain degree.
Not only idling but colder air temp means more gas is used to build engine temp. All controlled by the vehicle computer.
So to the op…NO hanky panky going on here….:-)
You may have an oxygen sensor or fuel pressure regulator problem if your mileage has greatly decreased.
I have always assumed its letting the truck run idle in winter since it happens every winter (for me). G make a point too, I’ve noticed that the ‘cut off’ (whatever they call it) in my silverado that kicks it down to 4 cylinder when idling/coasting doesnt kick on till the truck is plenty warm, if ever on the really cold days, I assume the same reason as G stated above.
Definately a different shift pattern like he said also, even with a warm up period before I take off.
Not sure about crappy gas but I drove my old beat down Explorer 55 mph all the way home from Red lake with its normal load of fishing gear and got 24mpg.Took me forever but I was curious how much of a difference it would get from me going 65-70mph on the way up there when I got 15mpg.It was late at night and I wasnt in a hurry.Sure wish Id have done it when gas was 4+$ a gallon,ha
Funny you should ask. I was paying attention to my mileage last Friday. Looked to be about 3-4 lower than it should have been. Fully warmed up and cruising down the road. I attributed partly to new larger tires and winter gas but now you have me thinking. It really shouldnt be that bad.
It might have been mentioned, but the more ethanol in the fuel the less energy content and the less MPG you will get.
Avalanche Owner: The mileage sucks. On gas I can get 18 (miles per gallon). On E85 I get like 12.
I get the same thing with my diesel in the winter, The “winter-Blend” diesel has less BTU’s per gallon and adversely affect my mileage.
This wouldn’t really apply to gasoline if you are using the same kind year round.
You will always get less MPG in the winter. More idle time, spinning the wheels to get traction, it takes longer to bring the engine temp up to peak performance.
At least that’s what I’ve experienced since I started driving.
Totally agree with Eelpout. I always get lower gas mileage in the winter. It varies from 1-2 in moderate weather to 3-4 in cold weather. Slower traffic, warmups, engine takes time to come up to peak operating temp, etc.
Looking back at my log books, it’s the same every year. Nothing special about this winter.
All gas in MN has ethanol of 10-15% except special fuels for specific uses. There’s no more ethanol in the fuel now than in July.
Grouse
Winter blend gasoline simply has less energy content compared to summer. From what I’ve read, blenders can add more butane during the winter season. This lowers the price but also decreases BTU’s.
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