I hate winter.......

[CAPTAIN CHAOS]

All this cold weather has my mileage in the crapper. My SL2 usually gets between 38-40mpg in the summer when I drive it. Any less than 37 and I'm looking for something wrong; it's just that consistant. :thumbup
Here lately though, I've been struggling to get better than 36-37, despite a VERY concious effort to maximize coasting and accellerate VERY leisurely. It's frustrating to try so hard and drive so careful only to get such a mediocre number.

Anyone have any tip for getting winter mpgs back up? I have done a grill block to help it warm up faster (still takes forever though) and my WAI is pulling right off of the exhaust manifold. Other than that, I'm at a loss other than slowing down to 45mph (not really an option).

[Weather Spotter]

Us a grill block. Block or coolant heater.

I loose 15-20% mpg in the winter no matter what I do.

[Gealii]

try this http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post339884

[MetroMPG]

Obvious question: checked your tire pressure? Pressure drops with ambient temperature.

Next: I second the advice to get a block/coolant heater. Makes a difference.

[2000neon]

I just filled up last night for my worst MPG yet with this car, and I'm convinced it's all because of temperature. I posted in the engine insulation thread that Gealli posted but I will mention it here too. I picked up a fire blanket and put it over the top of my motor. It covers the exhaust and the motor, and definitely helps it warm up quicker.

[HypermilerAX]

There's one thing we can't fight against, though, it's air density. Air is 10% more dense at -5°C than at 20°C, meaning 10% more drag.
Difference between very hot summers (40°C) and cold winters (-10°C) is 20%.

[CAPTAIN CHAOS]

Originally Posted by HypermilerAX

There's one thing we can't fight against, though, it's air density. Air is 10% more dense at -5°C than at 20°C, meaning 10% more drag.
Difference between very hot summers (40°C) and cold winters (-10°C) is 20%.

I have noticed a slight decrease in coasting ability so that does make perfect sense.

To the others: I do check tire pressure regularly. It's been a week or so but temps have't fallen that much in that amount of time. I'd guess them to be at around 40psi (from the 44 I usually run). I'll definately be checking again though.

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by HypermilerAX

There's one thing we can't fight against, though, it's air density. Air is 10% more dense at -5°C than at 20°C, meaning 10% more drag.
Difference between very hot summers (40°C) and cold winters (-10°C) is 20%.

We can fight it by going slower!

Also colder air is good for throttleless (e.g. valvetronic) engines by virtue of increased heat ratio, but most of us don't have that

[Gealii]

Originally Posted by HypermilerAX

There's one thing we can't fight against, though, it's air density. Air is 10% more dense at -5°C than at 20°C, meaning 10% more drag.
Difference between very hot summers (40°C) and cold winters (-10°C) is 20%.

There is something we can do...time for more mods to reverse that new drag then come summer we can pull record highs

[Sven7]

Accelerate faster to spend more time at your cruising speed.