Winter gas mileage ???'s

[CAMAN]

Is there anything I can do to my truck when the temp drops that will lessen the gas mileage drop I experience in the winter? My Colorado gets 20-22mpg in the summer, in the winter I'm lucky if I get 15mpg, more like 13-14mpg. It has been like this since I bought it new in 2006. Will putting some cardboard or something over the radiator help? I notice my engine temps go WAY down in the winter compared to other vehicles I have owned/driven.

Can anything be done? I know it's a little late in the winter to be asking this question but would like to try something while it's still slightly cold out. Thanks!!!

[Scott K]

Besides not letting it warm up, and make sure it is properly tuned, and your tires are filled to spec, not much you can do.

There are several reasons for poor fuel economy in the winter. Some are, there are more additives in the fuel, that dont have the same BTU as the summer blend, so you get less economy. Everything on the vehicle is stiff in the cold, fluids, bearings, ect.. You are usually running more accessories in the winter, heater, headlights, wipers, defrosters, ect..

Alot of people let their vehicle warm up, big waste of fuel. There is also more O2 in the air, and the vehicle will run richer due to this. Tire pressures tend to drop in the winter, and low tires roll harder. So in other words, not much you can do. Get a smaller vehicle for transporting daily, is my best recommendation!

[Ralph Wiggum]

Quit doing donuts in empty parking lots

[Jeremy airjer W]

Clean air filters will make a small difference.

I would be interested to see what the actual coolant temp was in the cold. Most newer vehicle will flag a code and turn on the check engine light if the coolant temp stays to low. If this hasn't happened than I would assume that you are within spec but it doesn't mean that there still couldn't be a t-stat issue. A cooler engine will run a bit richer.

The biggest contributors to poor winter mileage are the cold, the gas, and tire pressure.

[jwmiller33]

Alot of people let their vehicle warm up, big waste of fuel. There is also more O2 in the air, and the vehicle will run richer due to this.

I didn't know this, thanks for sharing Scott. I will definitely be doing a lot less "warming up" of the vehicle from now on.

[CAMAN]

I rarely let the truck sit and idle in the winter unless it is bitterly cold out, around 30 seconds is normal for just to get the fluids moving. I don't know the actual temp it runs at, but the gage in the summer runs slightly above the halfway point. During the depending on the speed and temp it will fluctuate around the 1/4 point and sometimes if I'm running down the freeway on very cold mornings it will drop almost to the bottom of the gage.

[pureinsanity]

I just drive slow at the start of my drive that is my warming up lol

[Macgyver55]

...... depending on the speed and temp it will fluctuate around the 1/4 point and sometimes if I'm running down the freeway on very cold mornings it will drop almost to the bottom of the gage.

This could be an indication that the thermostat is not up to par. If your engine is not getting up to full running temperature, or not doing it as quickly as it should, it can easily reduce mileage.

Also, if the vehicle doesnt have synthetic gear lube from the factory, or is due for a change, changing to it will help reduce rolling resistance.

[Kyhl]

Thermostat sounds suspect.

Also, in my experience, how much time you spend in 4WD will make a large difference in fuel economy.

[CAMAN]

Yeah, I understand 4wd having a huge impact, but I rarely use it unless it's needed, and I can go a couple fillups without turning it on.

I will check the thermostat, the way it's acting does seem like it's stuck open. Anybody know where it's located on the inline 5? I've heard it isn't a normal old fashioned one like I'm used to so locating it is a little bit difficult.

[fishing tech]

Most vehicles will lose 2-5 mpg in the winter. But it also sounds like you have a stat or coolant level issue.

[BobT]

I just drive slow at the start of my drive that is my warming up lol

That's really not so comical and is actually quite the smart thing to do. Not warming up is okay and actually both of the owner's manuals from the two trucks I bought new only recommended about 60 seconds for warm-up. The problem is that too many drivers, actually most, drive their cold vehicles as if they are warmed up. Transmissions, rear-ends, bearings, even engines are expanding as they warm up and not always at the same rate. Until everything gets up to running temp, it's a good idea to drive gentle.

[tonkapat]

The air is thicker and harder for your car to push at highway speeds. Above 60 mph pushing that air is more friction than all your moving parts on your car. Keep your car plugged in will save a little also. When you start a cold motor it takes more fuel to warm it up then when plugged in. The same reason you have to choke your sled when cold.

[hanson]

Winter is one of those times where you ask yourself, why didn't I buy a full size V8 truck? LOL!

Seriously... the only time I get low teens from my '99 GMC Sierra is when I tow something below 0. Mileage is bad, particulary into a wind.

Other than that, we're still mid to upper teens normal highway and its less now in the winter.

My V6 Ford Ranger didn't do a heck of a lot better than my 5.3 extended cab Sierra.

[solbes]

It happens to all of us. Pretty good mileage out of that Colorado. I can get 18-19 in my Dakota on hwy in summer. Winter at best it's 14.5. Mixed driving in the cold of winter gets me 12-13.

[Gus]

It happens to all of us. Pretty good mileage out of that Colorado. I can get 18-19 in my Dakota on hwy in summer. Winter at best it's 14.5. Mixed driving in the cold of winter gets me 12-13.

Glad I'm not the only one. Thats what my Dakota is getting me (summer vs winter) as well.

[uffdapete]

Much to my dismay I had to sell my 94 Toyota last summer and get a full size truck basically cause the body is aging and needs more room to stretch out.

It's been an adjustment going from 22-27 mpg to 12-19 but after reading what you're getting with a Dakota and Colorado it hurts a little less. I bought an 01 F150 4wd, 6 cyl, 5 spd. It gets 12 in town/winter to 15 hwy/winter and summer/hwy is 17-19.

I run synthetic and and a high end air filer and that may help a little. When I switched to synthetic in my Camry it accounted for 8-10% better mpg consistently but I don't think it's made that much difference in the pu.

[solbes]

I've already done all the mods I can think of to improve my Dak's mileage. Full fluid switch to synth, opened up the air flow with intake and K&N, regular plug changes, mid to high tire pressures, tonneau cover, added 5th gear to tranny, you name it. Truck is at 120k miles now and still going very strong.

Before these changes it would get 11 in the winter and 16 at best for summer hwy. It's a pretty heavy quad cab 4x4, 4.7 L, 3.92 gears so not a good setup for mileage. Dodge's are pretty reliabile IMO, but are not great for mileage.

[skolfoppa]

A couple other things that may help. Clean your mass airflow sensor and throttle body. Run some seafoam through your intake manifold, and add a product like BG44 to your fuel to clean up your system. Also grease your drivetrain and make sure your diff fluids are clean. I think the winter blend gas is the biggest culprit for poor mpgs. Skol

[EBass]

Good post - noticed this on the GMC and thought it was because I was warming it up. I will plug it in more and warm it up less. I did put a K&N filter in last week hoping that would help.