Winters coming! how do I keep my mileage up?

[BrianAbington]

I think the law probably says its illegal to stay in neutral.

Because if some one turns out infront of you on a hill, or isn't stopping behind you at a light you can't accelerate quickly to avoid an accident if your in neutral.

(Politicians logic)

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Mr_C

aerohead:
I agree, I will never be able to get summertime mileage in the winter, but I want to do anything I can to try to minimize damage. I won't be doing much modding this winter because it is too darn cold to want to be out there anyway. My big problem (and the large majority of my miles) is my 35 mile daily commute. In the summer it is a gallon in my car, or a half gallon on my bike, it is a lot more than a gallon in the winter.

modmonster:
Thats a good point. I didn't add that at all. I have a significant grill block already (I tried a full grill block in the summer, bad idea). I should block it all the way once it gets a little cooler. I put a grill block on my truck too with a "cold front" that I think makes a difference.

Tango Charlie:
I have been lurking for about a month or so.. just trying to get as much info as I can. I have learned a LOT from reading all the aerodynamics stuff... and while the pulse & glide stuff seems counter intuative to me, I have found it works pretty well in town. When it gets COLD (-20 F) my mileage drops 20% or more. But even now when the morning temps are in the 40s (recent cold snap) I am noticing that I am not getting the same instant mileage at 55 that I was before. Argh...

-Mr_C

Here's some thoughts, that if IC Engines survive into the near future,we might do to minimize winter losses.Your car would have electric pre-heat for coolant,engine oil,transmission oil(fluid),and rear differential(if rear wheel drive).The engine,transmission/transaxle,or differential,and exhaust system would be wrapped in a thermal insulation jacket.Renewably-sourced electricity would be used to pre-heat the car before travel.Once at your destination the engine compartment would be completely sealed off from the environment,via closing dampers,and the insulation would attempt to hold the precious heat within the engine and complete powertrain components.Or the car could be plugged in at work,to aid "cold-start" for the commute home.This would displace some of the energy to the "cleaner" grid.Since most pollution occurs within the first 2-minutes of cold-start it would be a boon to air quality,and aside from cold tires(75-degrees F is considered cold by the EPA)the car would never experience "cold-start"again,and savings the the US alone would be measured in the billions.-------------------- I don't know how to get around the issue of the tires.The super LRR tires created for the concept cars might help.Perhaps the US Govt. could purchase the patent for this technology,and make it available,license-free,to any tire-maker interested in producing them.Cold,these tires would have no more RR than fully-warmed conventional all-season steel radials.No technological barriers,something else going on there.Aside from the LRR tires,ecomodders would be free to pursue anything else,as they would only be limited by their own ingenuity.

[DifferentPointofView]

to me, same thing apply's to a manual tranny. I can pop the shifter on my auto jeep and hit the gas faster than I can let off the clutch, turn and gas it all at the same time without accidentally killing it from the adrenaline.

Honestly, there are some pretty dumb laws out there, especially in IL.

[mrcs007]

Lets not forget about Winter vs Summer blends of gasoline too!

[ptsmith24]

Originally Posted by mrcs007

Lets not forget about Winter vs Summer blends of gasoline too!

What's the difference? Do you have some good reading about it? I knew there was a difference...never sure what it was, though.

[i_am_socket]

LINK. I never knew there really was a difference...

[ptsmith24]

Thanks.

[Big Dave]

Remember that "rho" factor in the equation for aero drag. "Rho" is the density of the air.

Cold winter air can be up to 20% denser than warm, humid air, hence more aero drag in winter.

People drive differently in winter. Not getting stuck is kinda important. Also on slick roads you have to put much more emphasis on avoiding bent-up sheet metal. For me that cuts down on my coasting.

Solution: Move to Houston.

[Frank Lee]

I've had good success with what I call "engine blankets". I use corrugated cardboard or foam board insulation, whatever fits, in conjunction with a winter-only grille block. Basically, when I open the hood, all I see is the engine blanket covering the entire compartment. It really helps heat retention. I noticed much faster warm-ups. Can't quantify the fe improvement but it had to have helped.

[Sean T.]

you don't leave that "insulation" in while you are driving around do you?