Why Do Cars Consume More Fuel in Winter?
2 Answers
Car consumes more fuel in winter due to poor oil fluidity, using the heater, and idling to warm up the engine. The details are as follows: Poor oil fluidity: In cold winter, the fluidity of engine oil decreases, leading to higher fuel consumption. This situation is related to temperature. When the temperature is very low, the density of engine oil increases, and its fluidity deteriorates, especially for certain types of oil that are naturally more viscous. Using the heater in winter: Using the heater relies on the engine's coolant temperature to generate heat, which increases fuel consumption. Idling to warm up the engine: When the engine temperature is below the normal operating temperature, the engine increases fuel injection, which is another reason for higher fuel consumption in winter.
As an experienced driver, let me share some insights about increased fuel consumption in winter. When starting a cold engine, the computer system injects extra fuel to quickly warm it up – otherwise the car lacks power. Prolonged idling to warm up (like many do waiting for heater air) wastes fuel unnecessarily. Cold weather reduces tire pressure, increasing rolling resistance, while strong headwinds make the engine work harder. Using the heater demands extra engine effort to generate heat, further raising fuel use. Frequent short trips are especially inefficient – the engine barely warms up before reaching your destination. My advice: limit warm-up idling to 30 seconds, monitor tire pressure regularly, avoid excessive stationary warming, and adopt these habits to save fuel costs.
