Why Does Driving in Winter Consume More Fuel?
2 Answers
Winter driving consumes more fuel due to prolonged warm-up times and insufficient tire pressure. The following are detailed explanations: Prolonged Warm-Up Times: In winter, temperatures are lower, and many car owners have the habit of letting their cars idle for five to ten minutes while standing beside the vehicle, smoking or rubbing their hands. Insufficient Tire Pressure: In winter, lower temperatures cause tire pressure to decrease, increasing friction with the road surface. This results in the need to burn more gasoline, leading to higher fuel consumption. Additionally, if tire pressure is too low, it not only reduces tire lifespan but also causes issues such as heavy steering and vehicle drift, which can compromise driving safety.
I deeply understand the issue of increased fuel consumption in winter, mainly because the engine takes longer to warm up in low temperatures. For example, last month when I drove to work at minus ten degrees Celsius, the engine felt frozen at startup—high RPM but weak power—and it needed to idle for a while before reaching working condition, during which fuel consumption was particularly high. Additionally, tires are prone to losing air in cold weather, and if not promptly refilled, increased rolling resistance also wastes fuel. Turning on the heater in cold weather consumes extra fuel too. On top of that, slippery winter roads force me to drive slower and steadier, avoiding sudden braking or acceleration, but I still can’t resist revving the engine at startup to prevent stalling, all of which drive up fuel consumption. Once, when chatting with an experienced driver about this, he said older cars are especially prone to this issue and recommended regular checks on tire pressure and oil viscosity. However, I’ve learned to be smarter now—preheating the car in the garage helps a bit.
