Thus, numerous winter tests of vehicles show that at a temperature of -6 degrees, a car's fuel consumption in the city is 12% higher than at an air temperature of +25 degrees. It is noteworthy that if you operate a car in winter, driving no more than 4-6 km every day. per day, the fuel consumption can increase by 22 percent compared to the above-zero temperature. But there are ways to prevent a large increase in fuel consumption in the winter.
It should be noted that in spite of the super economy of hybrid vehicles, in winter, the growth in fuel consumption in hybrid cars is even more significant compared to traditional cars. So, according to studies, at temperatures below -6 degrees, fuel consumption can increase from 31 to 34 percent compared to a plus temperature of more than 20 degrees.
Why is fuel consumption higher in winter?
Cold weather affects your vehicle more than you think. We offer you a list of reasons why any car starts to consume much more in winter than at positive temperatures outside:
- The load on the engine and gearbox increases in winter due to strong cooling. Any car needs for normal operation so that all fluids are heated after starting a cold engine. For example, or gear oil thickens in the cold. When starting the power unit in cold weather, it takes time for the oil to warm up. This requires extra energy.
- In winter, any engine takes longer to reach operating temperature. Most cars consume much more fuel before reaching the optimum engine temperature than after warming up to operating temperature. That is why, if you use the car in winter for a short time (small mileage), then due to engine warming up, your car will consume much more fuel than in the warm season.
- Heated seats, windows, the operation of the stove and the operation of the window washer reservoir pump consumes a lot of energy from the engine, which as a result starts to consume more gasoline or diesel fuel.
- Warming up the engine before moving off reduces your savings to almost zero. ... In this mode, the largest excess fuel consumption.
- The colder air becomes denser, resulting in increased air resistance in your vehicle. It is worth noting that the higher the speed in winter, the more your car will overspend on fuel.
- decreases as the temperature drops to negative values. The more frost, the lower the pressure in the wheels becomes. As a result, rolling resistance is increased.
- Winter grades of gasoline or diesel fuel may contain substances that reduce in the engine, in contrast to summer fuels in which there may be more energy. As a result, the car starts to consume a little more fuel than in the warm season.
- Power is wasted much faster in winter, which means that the car's alternator needs more power to charge the battery in order to maintain an optimal charge. The load on the generator increases fuel consumption. Also, cold weather can affect hybrid vehicles that are equipped with a battery charging system using regenerative braking (when braking, excess energy goes to the battery that powers the electric motor).
In severe winter conditions and in severe frost, fuel consumption can increase even more.
- On icy and snowy roads, the grip of the tires on the road surface decreases. To maintain the right torque for smooth movement, the engine needs extra energy.
- As a rule, the average driving speed decreases on slippery roads. It is noteworthy that at an average speed below 50-70 km / h, fuel consumption can greatly increase.
- If your car is equipped with four-wheel drive, then in winter, you are guaranteed excessive fuel consumption, especially on a snowy or slippery road.
What can I do to improve fuel economy in cold weather?
You cannot make it the same in winter as in summer. But, nevertheless, any of you will be able to achieve an effective reduction in fuel consumption in the winter, which will allow you to save money. Here are some tips on how you can achieve lower fuel consumption:
- Leave your car in a warm place. For example, in your warm garage (or rent a warm garage for the winter) or in a paid covered warm parking lot. This way, your engine needs much less energy each morning to warm up to the optimum temperature.
- Do not warm up the engine at idle speed for too long. Try to warm up the engine while driving at low speeds. In this mode, you will not only save fuel, but also achieve faster engine heating to operating temperature. ... Many automakers these days recommend getting under way 30 seconds after starting the powertrain.
- Do not use standalone heaters and de-icers more than necessary
- Choose the best routes to avoid traffic jams using satellite navigation
- Check the pressure in the
- Remove car accessories that increase air resistance. For example a trunk that you don't use every day.
- If you are an owner in severe frost, try not to use car chargers for your phone, navigator and other electronic gadgets. Also, if you eat in a mode that provides for the operation of an electric motor, try not to turn on the heating stove at maximum temperatures.
- If you are driving and the outside temperature is not too cold, use electric seat heating instead of heating the passenger compartment.
- Clean the car from excess snow (especially on roofs), which significantly increases the weight of the car.
- Use only winter. If the tire tread has a lot of wear or is more than 5 years old, be sure to buy a new one.
- Park the car in a place where the sun's rays heat the car body during the day
If you prefer to refuel your car with branded fuel with improved performance, then in winter it is better to fill with traditional grades of fuel, since improved gasoline or diesel fuel has many chemical additives, which can increase consumption in winter.
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Causes of increased fuel consumption in the winter season
Winter brings with it not only New Year and Christmas holidays, it is a difficult time for drivers in all respects, and this affects the wallet due to the increased fuel consumption.
Small car drivers may not notice this difference if they prefer to use their car as little as possible in winter, but those people who really spend a lot of time behind the wheel may see that the engine has begun to consume more fuel.
What is the reason for the increased fuel consumption in winter? There are many reasons. Let's name the most basic ones.
First, starting on a cold engine, according to experts, is equivalent to a mileage of 800 kilometers - so badly it affects the engine. To avoid such negative consequences, the engine needs to be warmed up at least a little, that is, left to idle for a while.
If the car is parked in a heated garage, then you are in luck, but those people who leave their cars under the windows of their houses on the street have to wait at least ten minutes until the temperature in the engine rises.
It is so difficult to start a car in winter, because all liquids thicken and become more viscous, in addition, the battery can be pretty discharged overnight. Also, due to the fact that the intake manifold is cold, the air does not mix well with the fuel and does not ignite.
If you do not have a garage, then bring the battery into heat at least for the night, and in the morning you can pour boiling water over the collector. Do not start the engine right away, just turn on the ignition and light the low and high beam several times to accelerate the battery. You can also use special additives, such as "Cold Start" or "Quick Start", they contain essential substances and the car starts up much faster. But all the same, due to the morning warm-up of the engine, the consumption increases to 20 percent.
Secondly, even if you manage to start the engine, you cannot drive on snow drifts at the same speeds as in summer. The overall speed decreases in winter, and as you know, the most optimal fuel consumption occurs at speeds of 80-90 km / h in high gears. When the road looks like an ice arena, you have to move very carefully, especially outside the city, where road services do not always cope with their work.
Thirdly, the consumption of gasoline also increases due to the quality of the road surface. Even if you have installed good winter tires, the tires still have to remove more slush and "porridge", all this sticks to the wheels and creates rolling resistance.
Also, many drivers reduce the pressure in the tires for the winter period, citing the fact that this increases stability. This is really true, but at the same time the consumption increases - by 3-5 percent.
Energy load is also an important factor. After all, in winter, you want the car to be warm, the heating is constantly on. An air conditioner helps to fight high humidity in the cabin, because when you go into heat from the cold, a lot of moisture evaporates from clothes and body, as a result, the glass sweats, condensation appears. Heated seats, rear-view mirrors, rear window are also constantly on - and all this also consumes a lot of energy, hence the increased consumption.
It is necessary to check the technical condition of the engine even before the onset of cold weather. Worn pistons and piston rings lead to a decrease in compression, power drops, you have to press harder on the accelerator, the consumption will increase not only in winter, but even in summer for this reason.
Do not forget also that gasoline decreases in volume at low temperatures. Even if the day is +10, and at night the frost is up to -5 degrees, the volume of gasoline in the tank may drop by several percent.
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For most motorists, the issue of fuel economy is the most pressing.
The cost of gasoline and diesel, unfortunately, is constantly growing, and due to the active operation of the vehicle, fuel consumption remains high. In order to somehow reduce it, many drivers reduce the number of trips, especially in winter.
But if you want, just by slightly changing your habits, you can cut your fuel costs by ten percent. What has the biggest impact on a car's fuel consumption?
Climatic conditions. Fuel consumption is much higher in cold weather than when the thermometer is above zero. This is explained by the fact that the engine reaches operating temperature rather slowly in cold weather. All this time, the on-board computer is trying to help him by feeding increased doses of fuel into the cylinders.
If someone believes that we cannot influence the engine warming up rate, then he is mistaken. It is known that with additional load, the unit will reach the required temperature faster than idling. Therefore, you should start moving as quickly as possible. It is enough just to wait for the moment when the revolutions will stop floating and you can slowly get under way, without waiting for the moment when the arrow of the coolant temperature indicator moves from a dead center.
Use of comfort equipment. In cold weather, many motorists are not thinking about how to reduce fuel consumption and help the engine get into a working rhythm, but about ensuring their own comfort. Getting behind the wheel, drivers immediately turn on the stove, hoping to warm up the interior. But since the motor has not yet had time to warm up, there is nowhere for the flow of warm air to come from, so it is not advisable to use heating in this case.
Few people think about the fact that during operation, the stove takes some of the heat from the engine, thereby preventing it from reaching operating temperature and taking away some of the power. As in the first case, “brains” come to the aid of the unit, believing that more fuel should be supplied to the cylinders. Therefore, try to turn on interior heating only after the engine temperature reaches 80-90 degrees. Or at least 40 ° C.
Driving style. If we can only have an indirect effect on the operation of the engine, then fuel consumption while driving depends solely on the driver. It’s not hard to guess that supporters of a smooth ride visit gas stations less often than those who are used to aggression. Therefore, it will not hurt for those who monitor their expenses to learn to control their emotions and refrain from unmotivated risks, which are always associated with the so-called. sporty riding style.
Reducing fuel consumption is facilitated by fewer stops along the way. Learn to predict road conditions, refrain from routes running on busy highways, as well as secondary roads, where snowblowers rarely look. While driving, follow the tachometer readings and try to keep them around 2000 rpm. 
Before the winter season, many (especially new drivers) ask - "why is the fuel consumption in winter more than in summer?" Moreover, it is significant, sometimes the difference can be 15-20%. Many people think that the whole difference is only in the warm-up of the engine (in winter we do this, but not in summer). But many, do not heat the engine, that is, sat down and immediately (after 15 - 20 seconds went). That is, in winter, this is not always the case, there are objective reasons why more fuel (and this is how) is consumed. As usual there will be a text version + video. So we read and watch ...
Whatever one may say, but low temperatures (especially extremely low, for example from -30 and below), adversely affect the entire car. The main components are made of metal, there are a lot of greases, oils, etc. Therefore, for a comfortable ride, all this must be warmed up, which is done mainly in motion. In summer, there is no such problem, since the temperature "overboard" can reach +35 degrees (and even higher in the south). I propose to think about the points
A few words about warming up
I believe that (read the article, in it I tried to argue all this), especially on modern cars, where there is a lot of plastic, even in the engine. A simple example - I used to have a CHEVROLET AVEO (T300 body). If the engine does not warm up, say, at -20 degrees (and immediately start moving, as many assure), the oil pressure sensor quickly knocked out, it is plastic there and does not hold thick oil.
The master inspector told me so at the service station when he changed it for the third time (already for a modified one) - "how much do you heat?" I said a couple of minutes, said - "warm at - 20 at least 5 minutes and everything will be fine."
Remember, while the oil is cold, it cannot properly lubricate your engine, the load on the cylinder block walls is very large.
Of course, even a five-minute warm-up entails increased fuel consumption. An average car consumes about a liter of gasoline per hour. So much for the increase, in the morning - 5 (10) minutes, after work (again the same time). Well, and if we stopped somewhere and the car stood for a long time in the cold. And so it comes on the sly.
Whatever one may say, but winter tires are heavier and softer. The tread is higher for digging snowy roads, and for that. Special compounds are used that do not give the rubber "tan" in the cold. In simple words, turning such a wheel is more difficult, more energy is consumed.
Research confirms that winter tires contribute about 3% more fuel consumption than summer tires.
At low temperatures, the car (at the first start after the night) forms a rich air-fuel mixture. Basically, it is needed at the warm-up stage (engine, catalyst) but also during the subsequent movement. The lower the temperature, the more the mixture is enriched.
Of course, the mixture then comes to normal, but in the first few minutes the consumption is really higher than in the summer.
Oil and other liquids
Of course, oils are more perfect now than they were, say 20 years ago, but they are not perfect either. Therefore, already at - 15, - 20 degrees Celsius, they begin to thicken.
And now it's not just about engine oil, by the way it warms up quickly enough (although this requires more energy to be spent than in summer). And we are talking about transmission oils and even about coolant. Some antifreezes thicken already at -25, -30 degrees, it is difficult to pump them with a pump
Gear lubricants heat up much more slowly, creating unnecessary resistance. They are found both in gearboxes (whether it be), in the rear axles, and also in hand-outs.
All this again adds fuel consumption in winter. About 3-4% more
Bearings, drives
They also freeze. It is scientifically proven that a cold bearing turns worse, albeit not much, but still. The same thing happens with drives and other "rotating" parts.
Of course, they warm up relatively quickly when moving, but initially you need to spend much more energy to move such a "cold" mechanism.
Plus 2% more fuel consumption.
Now no one can be surprised by heated seats, steering wheel, mirrors, glass, wipers and even washer nozzles. And the stove often works at high speeds (to warm up the interior faster). But no one thinks about how much energy they consume, but not a little! And this is an additional load on the generator.
Of course, no one drives with always-on consumers all the time. BUT when warming up the car, how do they work correctly and add their contribution. Plus 3-5% to consumption
Snow and roads
Of course, the main roads in cities are often cleared of snow and ice. But here are the courtyards, and the roads are not in cities! YES, and if the snow is heavy, the utilities have not removed it yet, but do you need to go?
As a result, to drive even on 3 - 5 centimeter snow, you need an additional + 3 + 5% of energy. I am already silent if the car is stuck in a snowdrift and skids. With this "slipping", in five minutes you can burn fuel as when traveling around the city during the day (averaged data). So put on winter tires that will help you get out of such snow drifts, even if it is heavier, but it is simply NECESSARY!
Summer and winter car trips are "two big differences." One side of this difference is the increased fuel consumption of the vehicle in winter conditions. It is worth taking a closer look at the reasons for these additional costs and how to reduce unwanted fuel costs.
Causes of increased fuel consumption in winter
Warming up the engine and lubrication system
In winter, it takes longer to reach engine operating temperature. Additional idle time leads to increased fuel consumption ... This is especially true for cars with carburetor engines. The desire to save fuel and start moving without waiting for the temperature to rise to operating values \u200b\u200bleads to the fact that the engine will "sneeze", the car will move jerky.
Long-term engine warm-up is not required in modern cars ... It is enough for him to idle for no more than one minute - and you can start moving. But you still have to spend a minute, and there will be additional fuel consumption.
If the machine is used in winter from time to time, then the losses on heating will not have a significant effect. But for cars used on a daily basis, the extra fuel to warm up the engine twice a day (before going to work and before returning from work) is a fairly solid increase in total costs.
And it's not just the engine that needs to be warmed up. Transmission oil and bearing grease become thicker in cold weather, and it takes time to warm up and achieve operating conditions. And during this time you will have to overcome additional resistance and spend additional fuel on this.
According to various estimates, additional fuel consumption for warming up the engine and all systems can reach 5 - 10%
Of course, these are averaged values \u200b\u200b- exact losses depend on weather conditions and car brand.
Deteriorating road conditions
Driving on winter roads requires additional effort from the car, which requires additional fuel. Here are the main reasons that worsen car traffic in winter:
- Tire grip in winter conditions is worse than in summer. Even on packed snow it is more difficult to drive than on asphalt. This is when driving without any particular obstacles. But additional problems are created by slipping on slippery areas, especially when starting off. But you have to ride right after a snowfall, when the snow has not yet been compacted. The increased consumption of gasoline during difficult driving is obvious.
- Getting into snowdrifts or drifts will cause the engine to run at higher speeds. And leaving a parked car after a heavy snowfall is a separate story altogether. Just getting out of a parking snowdrift sometimes has to waste fuel like an average trip
- When driving on winter country roads you have to be careful and drive at a reduced (compared to summer conditions) speed ... Therefore, it is not always possible to maintain the most economical driving mode.
- Traffic jams. They, of course, appear in the summer, and statistics say that there are even more of them in the summer. But in winter they are bigger. Due to drifts after snowfall, many roads can only be driven in one lane in each direction. And any accident often leads not to a restriction, but to an almost termination of movement on this road.
Increased energy consumption
Few people dare to ride in winter without the included stoves ... In decent frosts, the passenger compartment heater has to constantly work at full capacity. Besides the salon, you have to separately warm the rear windows and mirrors... And you can't go anywhere - this is already a security issue. And the engine provides energy for the operation of all heaters, spending extra liters of gasoline on it.
Starting the engine in cold weather is often not as quick and easy as in warm weather. As a result, the battery is discharged more strongly after the winter start-up. And at negative temperatures, even a disconnected battery holds a charge less than in warmth. AND the generator needs to run longer to restore the nominal battery charge , which also uses fuel.
Little things
- Aerodynamic drag ... Cold air increases resistance to vehicle movement. Therefore, in winter, even when driving at optimal speeds, fuel consumption is higher. Under certain conditions, this is not a trifle. In severe frosts (-40 and more), only because of this factor, you can use up 10% more gasolinethan in summer +20.
- Tire pressure ... As the temperature drops, the tire pressure also decreases. The dependence is approximately 0.1 atmospheres for every 10 degrees of temperature. Abnormally low pressure not only causes tire wear, but also increases fuel consumption.
- In carburetor engines with constant adjustments at low air temperatures the fuel-air mixture changes its characteristics , which affects the operation of the engine and leads to increased fuel consumption.
To achieve the same fuel consumption in summer and winter will not work - the conditions are too different. And in winter, the car will still consume more gasoline. For instance, the official website of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation regulates an increase in winter fuel consumption rates by 5 - 20%... Moreover, an increase of 5% is established for the southern regions, but for the northern regions, where the influence of winter is much higher, a 20% increase is recommended.
But this difference can be reduced by knowing the reasons for its occurrence and, if possible, reducing their influence.
Ways to reduce fuel consumption in winter
Engine
- Reducing engine warm-up time at idle speed is a great contribution to saving gasoline. It is best to start driving immediately after reaching the minimum temperature that does not interfere with normal engine operation... When driving in low gears, the engine will warm up faster to operating temperature. And all lube assemblies will also warm up faster on the go. But also you cannot completely refuse to warm up
... It will be possible to achieve fuel savings, but the damage to the engine itself can be such that the savings come out sideways. You need to look for a middle ground. When choosing an idle warm-up time, it is better to focus on the recommendations of the car manufacturer, as well as on your own experience and the feeling of your car.
The best way out is keep the car in a warm garage. At least the morning departure will take place without a long warm-up.
- Take care insulation of the engine compartment
... Modern "blankets" allow the engine to cool down to outside temperature for several hours. In some situations, this will allow you to do without idle warm-up at all.
- Special winter oils are gradually being replaced with multigrade oils. Filling in special oil in winter may not be worth it. And here changing the oil before the winter season will be beneficial for the car ... You shouldn't wait for the planned date. The new oil will obviously make the engine work easier.
Tires
- Change the tires for winter conditions Is more of a security issue. Savings are secondary here, but they are also present. Yes, winter tires are less fuel efficient than summer tires. But this is in equal conditions, and when driving on a good road. In winter, the conditions are far from equal to those in summer, and the quality of the road is often much worse. Here winter tires will cover all their "shortcomings" and ultimately help to save a lot of fuel. Driving on freshly fallen snow, reducing slippage, overcoming snowdrifts - this is the superiority of winter tires.
- It is important to remember about decrease in tire pressure when temperature drops ... The pressure must not be brought to values \u200b\u200boutside the normal range. In winter, it is better to control this parameter more often.
Energy consumption
It is not worth saving on heating the passenger compartment and rear window in winter ... The work of these energy consumers is a harsh necessity that cannot be avoided. But it is recommended to limit the inclusion of other energy consumers - for example, a sound system. Especially until the motor is fully warmed up and the battery is charged after starting.
Driving nature
Driving in winter is different from driving in summer. There are many tips on this topic, but now we are only talking about saving fuel.
- Must avoid abrupt start from a place ... The car can simply remain in place, skidding on inopportunely turned up ice.
- It is advisable to take a more responsible approach to the choice of the route, avoiding traffic jams ... Winter traffic jams are larger, so it's better not to risk it, hoping that it will resolve soon.
- Watch the road more closely, andavoiding areas where the machine may get stuck or skid .
- Do not park in the first available spot. A small snowdrift or patch of ice can make it very difficult to get out.
Little things
- Fallen out snow must be cleaned not only from the windows of the car, but also from the roof and trunk ... Excess weight is an extra load on the machine.
- It is worth considering - do you need a roof rack in winter ... On long journeys, it "steals" fuel in summer, and in winter this consumption increases.
- Useful carry out a trunk audit before the winter season ... If possible, remove heavy and not very necessary items from it. A trifle, but the car will be easier. You don't need to remove the shovel, but on the contrary - put it in the trunk and carry it all winter. Not needed - well, good. But sometimes, just a few strokes of the shovel can provide the car with a problem-free exit from the problem area.
Most of the tips to reduce unwanted fuel consumption boil down to one thing: the car is difficult in winter, and any help in its difficult work is welcome. Help your car even in small things - and it will thank you. Including a slight increase in fuel costs.
Summer and winter fuel consumption: difference, reasons, reduction in fuel consumption
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