WTF is up with my gas mileage?

Southern_Trendkill · Jan 21, 2009

I'm in Maine, and it's my first winter with snow. I know the 10% ethanol fuel cuts my gas mileage by about 20 percent, but right now I'm getting like 9 mpg, and I just had a tuneup. Does letting it idle to warm up really use that much fuel, or is there something else I should check?

07rangersport · Jan 21, 2009

Letting it idle to warm does not help. try and get in and drive see if that helps.

Gotta_gofast · Jan 22, 2009

Well, idling til it warms up is consuming a lot of fuel. Just the fact that the engine is cold means that the computer must introduce more fuel into the cylinders (similar to a choke on a carburetor) to warm it up. Then, in the winter most fuels are blended differently than in the summer. This cuts my mpgs down a lot. And lastly, I live in the country so most backroads and country roads are clear in the summer allowing me to travel 55mph in O/D. When it snows, I have to select 4x4 (which consumes power) and I'm only in 3rd or sometimes 4th gear, because I'm only able to travel 30-40mph. In the winter, my truck usually gets about 17-19mpg. Summer time I'll pull an easy 23mpg with my 3.0L.

muddin'ranger · Jan 22, 2009

i noticed a decrease in mine too. i usaully get 20 or so and have been getting 16-17.

JTH1972 · Jan 22, 2009

Yes, winter will make you go through a lot more gas, but that does sound like really low mileage. I'll give you the same advice everyone has given me: First, check your codes.

JOKER86 · Jan 22, 2009

im with every reply, the cold does effect it but something you can look at is your temp gaugue, if your thermostat is faulty it will not properly warm all the way up...inducing more fuel needed for cold cylinders, this winter feels like its been colder than last too lol

WTF is up with my gas mileage?

Southern_Trendkill

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07rangersport

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Gotta_gofast

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muddin'ranger

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JTH1972

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JOKER86

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