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Old 02-08-2012, 08:50 PM   #13 (permalink)
Tupelo
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: United States
Posts: 7

Tupelo's Prius - '04 Toyota Prius
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That far north, you've probably seen single digit temperatures (Fahrenheit) on many nights. In addition to winter blends of gas, there are lots of other winter effects that bring down the mileage. Cold starts are colder, which has a huge effect on the amount of gas an engine uses until it warms up. Cold air is denser, which increases air drag. A cold drivetrain is a little less efficient than a warm one. Running the heater will pull heat from the engine, making it a bit less efficient. Using a radiator or grill block while monitoring the engine temperature can help conserve heat. A block heater can also make a big difference. As others have said, 27% is great for snow tires in winter driving.

Try describing your driving routes. There might be other things we can suggest. How long, how hilly, how many stops, what speeds?
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