Fuel Economy variations

[ChuckG]

First off all, of course this isn't about my Vette that should never be driven in Michigan Winters -

My Jag has a DIC. It reports 23.5+ MPG all Summer (mostly City too!). All Winter I'm lucky to average 21 MPG. I don't drive any differently, except when it's bad out and I slow down.

The roads are generally clear, so it's not my AWD going into another power balance.

Computer problem? Fuel formulation issue? Gremlins?

[bradfordsvettes]

these newer cars have temp sensors for the engine, trans and for air intake . In order to warm the cars up faster the shift points are increased for higher engine rpm when cold,also the air intake sensor also tells the computer along with the engine temp sensor to richen the mixture so there is no drivability concerns( remember older cars with carbs and chokesthey were horribble compared to what we have these days). so with the colder temps comes poorer gas milage if you were to drive it without stopping you may come close to the same milage but the cold hurts your figures.The fuel mixture is also changed for different temps and regions so you have a double whammy hope this clears up the mystery Steve

[ChuckG]

Well, then we can argue that global warming will help fuel economy!

Let's all drive more! Yeah!

Here in the Frozen Tundra, we're actually liking the shorter, milder Winters....

Thanks for the thoughts. Seem you've validated my thoughts. One more reason to hate Winters....

[JBsZ06]

Here's a guess..

In the winter the goverment mandates 10 % ethanol in the fuel. It could possibly causing a drop in fuel economy...

Like I said...just a guess.

[aquaholic]

i think thats a summer thing jb. not a winter thing. at least here in pa its from june through september.

[ChuckG]

In Michigan, ethanol or "Jimmy Carter's Folly", since the idea failed back then too and oddly that little nugget was forgotten, has to be indicated on the pump.

Some cheap places do have it around here, but not many. In the 80s I recall our Sunocos did the 10% deal and people avoided them like the plague. I recall lots of mechanical issues were attributed to "gasahol", though blame and cause are funny things.

BTW-- For the SIXTH year in a row, no increase in global temperatures. We need to drive more!