Using the heat when it's cold... mpg drain?

[Mustang Dave]

Originally posted by taredog:This 81 Mustang 2.3/auto rarely got better than 20mpg and it was a total sloth as to acceleration. Never did figure out why.

They've come a long way with fuel economy since the early '80's. I haven't been able to get less than 25mpg with my '07 Mustang 4.0/"bolt-action" without running it in the garage to charge the battery during the Winter. And it'll do 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds, according to "Car & Driver"'s test.
Back on topic, I get slightly lower FE in the colder months. I attribute that to longer warm-up distance, use of headlamps on my morning commute, Winter fuel (possibly), more viscous lubricants, and use of the heater (and I believe the blower motor on "low" draws less current than the headlamps).

[dwtaylorpdx]

Warning Conspiracy theory!

Makes one wonder if safety was the real reason for daytime running lamps or did the oil companies lobby for the safety improvement ???

Your not paranoid if they really are out to get you!

Dave