I was wondering if the winter gas formulation which in my state is around 10% Ethanol affects gas mileage. I drive mainly in the city and use to average about 18.2 mpg and since a couple of months ago it's been declining, as of today it's about 17.7 mpg. I know it isn't a big difference. I'm just wondering if the winter formulation affects gas mileage. My car still runs the same and I have not seen any change in performance. Thank you.
Does the winter gas formulation affect gas mileage?
- Thread starter phantom3
- Start date
Quik LS
Dedicated LVC Member
and colder temperatures often cause more fueling - mainly at start up.
CrackerJack
Dedicated LVC Member
We dont have a winter "blend" her in MN, and I get 3 - 4 mpg less on average, simply because I let the car warm up for about 10 minutes.
Mileage and Lincoln don't really go hand in hand
Mileage and Lincoln don't really go hand in hand
A big difference is "time to temperature".
Your car runs a rich fuel/air mixture until it reaches normal operating temp. When it's colder outside, it takes longer to get to that normal operating temp.
So the colder it is outside, the worse your gas consumption is going to be.
Your car runs a rich fuel/air mixture until it reaches normal operating temp. When it's colder outside, it takes longer to get to that normal operating temp.
So the colder it is outside, the worse your gas consumption is going to be.
605RezlifeLS
Well-Known LVC Member
I've read that it isnt neccesary to heat up the engine in the winter
.... unless it's colder than a pengiuns nuttsack and you don't want to drive til the heat kicks in.Eric0508
Well-Known LVC Member
from what ive heard, its not a bad idea to let it warm up 30 seconds or so before mashing the throttle, but i think crackerjack probably warms his up because its Minnesota and -20 temps arn't that fun.
Also, if your like me, the bigger, heavier rims and the extra weight (read 150lbs sand) in the trunk dont help gas mileage either.
Also, if your like me, the bigger, heavier rims and the extra weight (read 150lbs sand) in the trunk dont help gas mileage either.
605RezlifeLS
Well-Known LVC Member
Let that be a message to fat people^^^
kiddin'
I drive my lincoln the least I can in the winter, terrible winter car if you ask me, it's better to have a winter car and save the lincoln for the summer or sunny dry winter days. I live in south dakota, weather isnt to bad unless it snows. which we're buried right now, the ls beauty is in hybernation.
kiddin'
I drive my lincoln the least I can in the winter, terrible winter car if you ask me, it's better to have a winter car and save the lincoln for the summer or sunny dry winter days. I live in south dakota, weather isnt to bad unless it snows. which we're buried right now, the ls beauty is in hybernation.
CrackerJack
Dedicated LVC Member
on the contrary, I love the way my LS handles in the winter. I had 240 pounds of weight at first, but now either drive with only 120 or nothing, it was just switching from FWD to RWD so I had to change my driving style. It handles better than my dad H2 with 315's and moms 03 durango 5.9 with 245's, both in 4wd.
Controlled tail whips are the best in parking lots
Controlled tail whips are the best in parking lots
605RezlifeLS
Well-Known LVC Member
on the contrary, I love the way my LS handles in the winter. I had 240 pounds of weight at first, but now either drive with only 120 or nothing, it was just switching from FWD to RWD so I had to change my driving style. It handles better than my dad H2 with 315's and moms 03 durango 5.9 with 245's, both in 4wd.
Controlled tail whips are the best in parking lots
When I first got my LS nearly 2 weeks after, I was driving home from the big city out in the middle of no where me and my brother are doing no more than 50mph when suddenly I hear the traction control while (while on cruise control) kick in and we start and I pumped the brakes to slow us down but it didn't help none and before you know it we were in the ditch in 4 inches of snow... loooooooooong ass night. 3 feet from a post, that woulda been nasty
I've read that it isnt neccesary to heat up the engine in the winter
i love how car companies tell people this, especially BMW. its crap...
its a smart idea to let it warm up, especially if you don't run a synthetic oil. picture the oil pump trying to pump frozen molasses as you mash the throttle on a cold motor. also, your temp gage may read warm but that's just your coolant. it takes a lot longer to heat up the oil to its appropriate viscosity.
it all depends on just how cold it is, and what type of oil you run. run synthetic and never step on it until fully warmed up and the motor will last a lot longer.