Why is car fuel consumption higher in winter?

[LeChase]

There are several reasons why car fuel consumption is higher in winter: Longer warm-up time: When starting the vehicle in winter, the engine runs at higher RPMs to warm up faster, which means the engine injects more fuel. Lower temperatures result in poorer gasoline atomization and lower combustion efficiency, leading to increased fuel consumption. Lower tire pressure: Due to thermal contraction, tire pressure that was 2.5 in warm weather may drop to 2.0 in winter. Reduced tire pressure increases the contact area between tires and the road surface, raising rolling resistance and consequently fuel consumption. Don't forget to inflate your tires when winter comes. Increased fuel density: Fuel density is affected by thermal contraction. For a 50L tank of fuel, the volume decreases by 0.06L for every degree of temperature drop. The reduced volume means higher density, resulting in more fuel being injected into the engine and higher fuel consumption.

[DiHaley]

Higher fuel consumption in winter is actually quite common. I've noticed it myself while driving, especially in those cold northern regions. When starting the car, the engine needs to warm up because the engine oil becomes particularly viscous at low temperatures, flowing as sluggishly as honey. The engine requires more fuel to reach its normal operating temperature. This warm-up process can take over ten minutes, during which fuel is essentially being wasted. Additionally, in winter we always have the heater and defroster running. While these devices keep us warm, they consume extra engine power. Moreover, the air becomes denser in cold weather, increasing wind resistance - it's like driving uphill against the wind. Plus, tire pressure tends to drop, increasing rolling resistance and making the car work harder. Over the entire winter season, fuel consumption can increase by 10% to 20%. Checking tire pressure in advance and performing regular maintenance, along with using synthetic oil, can help reduce some of these losses, but overall winter driving is simply more costly.

[OAdalynn]

As an experienced driver for many years, I've observed several key factors contributing to higher fuel consumption. Firstly, during cold engine starts, the fuel injection volume increases because ignition efficiency is lower at low temperatures, requiring the engine to burn more fuel to maintain stable operation. Secondly, when engine oil and coolant temperatures are too low, their flow slows down, forcing the engine to run at higher speeds for extended periods to maintain heat. Thirdly, air density increases in cold environments, leading to greater resistance encountered by the vehicle, especially noticeable on highways. Fourthly, reduced battery performance in low temperatures is common, resulting in unstable power output; this causes the alternator to work harder, placing additional load on the engine. These factors typically lead to about 15% higher fuel consumption in winter. However, simple driving adjustments like avoiding rapid acceleration during warm-up and maintaining a steady speed can help save some fuel.

[ElisaMarie]

I noticed that fuel consumption increases significantly when driving in winter, and the reasons are quite straightforward. The engine requires more fuel to warm itself up when starting in cold weather, and it's normal for the warm-up period to be longer. Using the defroster and heater consumes additional energy, which reduces engine efficiency. Additionally, tires experience increased friction due to underinflation or temperature effects, making the car work harder. These factors combined lead to higher fuel consumption in winter. Maintaining proper tire pressure and using higher-quality engine oil can help reduce it slightly.