I finally am able to get my mpg back to where is was before we got stuck in a deep freeze. One week ago it was 2º here & my gas mileage was around 22 mpg. It was so cold I was starting the truck in the morning, turning on the heated seats & going back in the house to let the thing warm up a little.

Yesterday & today it has been over 60º here & my Scangauge II was finally reading 31 mpg today for this tank even though I had done probably 1/2 highway driving at 65 mph.

~John

 

This week I saw above 60'F and even pushing 70 degrees for the first time since NOVEMBER! It is like a totally new vehicle. Much more fun to drive!

 

Yea, yesterday and today, I can actually run on the batteries until they are exhausted.

There was also no traffic either. So, I was able to stick to 30-35 MPH (even though the limit was 40).

 

I'm all smiles lately too. I'm just finishing out my first tank above 700kms since the Fall (100% highway). Last March I was still in my break-in period and averages were in the mid 20mpg's. It's going to be a good summer!

>D

 

Aargh, I got up this morning & it was 32º & it was snowing out.

My weather forecast says the temperature is going to DROP during the day today & we may get 2" of snow, there goes this tank of gas........

~John

 

Its done the same thing here.... same effect. When it was 73F I managed a whole day at 33MPG in the 4WD model.... I'm sure today I'll be relegated back into the 20s.... Oh well....

 

I don't have a hybrid yet and I live in sunny CA at the moment. However, until this past year, I lived in cold weather areas (Chicago area or New England) and I most likely will return to this climate soon. At that time, if I don't have a hybrid yet, I will get one (my current vehicle gets good mileage and as I do minimal driving now, getting a hybrid is not currently economically feasible or practical). It's nice to know that my mileage will drop in colder weather - thanks everyone for the warning! However, I still feel that 22-ish mpg for a 4WD SUV in the winter is great compared to a normal SUV. So while it's not 30+ mpg, I'd still be happy with that for a few months of the year!

 

I agree completely.... its better than the gas guzzling alternative (which will also take somewhat of a hit from the cold as well.

 

I agree totally, I drove 4WD V6 Escape from work for a while & that thing was lucky if it got over 16 mpg so I still love the FEH.

My Mom drives an 06 Prius & the mpg drops drastically in the Winter for her also(she lives near me)......

~John

 

We've had one of the coldest winters in a long while this year, and mileage has stayed in the 23 mpg range....little above, little under, according to the NAV unit. But that's with bumpy icey roads, slick side roads, and a set of studded snow tires that aren't noted for easy rolling. And the Yakima ski rack/billboard on the roof rack. With the lengthening days and rising temps, I'm looking forward to the lengthening distances between gas ups.

This morning was a brisk -18. Although the FEH stays in a heated garage, it sits outdoors all day. I've been impressed with the fast warm up and decent milage, even when the car has been truly cold. You get help from the battery pretty quick, even in sub-zero. But it is a hit from summer.