Does anyone have a scan gage or MPG comp on a non-hybrid
 

I am loosing about 7-10 mpg on my Camry hybrid in the cold minn. weather. I was just wondering if any non-hybrid cars lost the same percent of milage in cold weather. I loose from 15 to 25 percent when its really cold.

Re: Does anyone have a scan gage or MPG comp on a non-hybrid
 

I don't have a scan guage, but from many years of Canadian winter driving I can attest to @ 20% drop in mileage for standard ICE vehicles with very cold weather. This is worse if the vehicle stays outside and you don't have a block heater.

Re: Does anyone have a scan gage or MPG comp on a non-hybrid
 

Thanks for your imput. Looks like maybe all cars get the same percent of poor mpg in the cold.Joe

Re: Does anyone have a scan gage or MPG comp on a non-hybrid
 

You will lose more % in a hybrid in winter.

All gasoline engines are worse in winter.

In addition, hybrid batteries are worse in winter.
Cold batteries put out fewer amps, and cold batteries can take in fewer amps of regen. So you get a double whammy.

But think about where you started from in the summer, and you should feel better.

Losing 25% of 30 MPG (hybrid) is still better than losing 20% of 15 MPG for a non-hybrid.

:shade: -John

Re: Does anyone have a scan gage or MPG comp on a non-hybrid
 

Now that you said that I agree. Some of the same trips i take ,I cak milk the under 42 mpg ( EV MODE )for almost a mile. In the winter that same trip doesn't work hardly at all

Re: Does anyone have a scan gage or MPG comp on a non-hybrid
 

I don't get it.. Why is a hybrid vehicle not efficient during winter?

Re: Does anyone have a scan gage or MPG comp on a non-hybrid
 

No current technology car is as efficient in Winter, hybrid or not. One big reason is that all the viscous fluids are much stiffer in the cold. My car will coast much farther in the Summer than the Winter.

Warm-ups obviously burn fuel and don't move the car an inch. (The Prius has a "Thermos" feature that stores warmed coolant in an insulated bottle for quicker warm-ups)

If you don't check your tire pressure it will be lower in Winter.

I'm pretty sure the engine itself is more efficient while breathing warmer air. Cold air intakes increase power, not efficiency. Pretty sure some hybrid guys have warm air intake mods....

Re: Does anyone have a scan gage or MPG comp on a non-hybrid
 

What the Tuna said...

Plus:
The hybrids' auto-stop feature does not work (by design) until the engine warms up a bit. Which takes longer in cold temps (ask the Canadians :().

The hybrids' hybrid battery does not allow current flow (in or out) in extreme temps - too hot or too cold. This is also by design, to protect the battery. This means NO acceleration assistance (and thus, the ICE runs harder). It also means NO regeneration (charging that too hot or too cold hybrid battery). In the hot hot heat of Texas, AZ, NM, CA, FL summers, it can take 5 minutes or more of driving with the AC on to cool down the hybrid battery enough for it to be fully operable. In the cold cold winters (up North especially), similar (or longer) waiting period exist.

Re: Does anyone have a scan gage or MPG comp on a non-hybrid
 

Also, tire rolling resistance increases as the rubber become less efficient.

Bob Wilson

Re: Does anyone have a scan gage or MPG comp on a non-hybrid
 

Diesel-fuelled vehicles are also affected. Suppliers gradually blend Winter diesel to prevent fuel gelling. They do it according to the historic temperature normal for the region. This blend negatively affects the fuel efficiency, so it is done only as necessary. It is therefore imperative that low-mileage diesel vehicles don't linger too long on their tanks of fuel or they could be in for a rude surprise when the outdoor temperature drops. Another aspect of diesel vehicles is that they have to run an initially richer fuel-to-air blend to get up to minimum operating temperature; At the first drive-off it should not come as a surprise if the diesel engine produces some black smoke, especially in sub-freezing temperatures.

Re: Does anyone have a scan gage or MPG comp on a non-hybrid
 

While all do worse in the cold, I think there are common factors and some specific to each type.

For years, I thought the 'rule of thumb' for when to shut down your idling engine was if you would be there more than 5 minutes. A guy on TV a day or two ago, said shut it down if you'll be idling more than 10 seconds! I'm concerned that I'm going to wear out my starter on my conventional Explorer if I do that at each of the 15-20 lights on my 'surface route' to work, that I don't hit on green.

I have a ScanGaugeII ordered and am waiting for it to arrive now. I'm just hoping with the instant feedback that I can make some improvements in its mileage.

Benton 24may08

Re: Does anyone have a scan gage or MPG comp on a non-hybrid
 

Hybrids have a big advantage here because they don't use a conventional starter. They "instant start" with their hybrid motors. Because of this I shut down my hybrid much more often than my non-hybrid. I'll only kill the engine in the non-hybrid if it can be off for at least a minute or so.

Re: Does anyone have a scan gage or MPG comp on a non-hybrid
 

Yeah I have a ScanGauge on my diesel smart. It's great! Winter fuel economy goes down by maybe 5-10% where I live.