Cold Weather Fuel Consumption

[Rocket]

I noticed significant increase in fuel consumption in cold weather. Have 2 door 2.3 automatic with Sasquatch and run premium no ethanol fuel. Since cold weather the actual fuel economy is 15.2 overall on three tanks of fuel. The computer shows over 17 but the actual calculation is 15.2. Performance is fine but uses more fuel than my 4x4 F150 with a 5 liter V-8. I would guess that the Sasquatch is the culprit due to rotational mass of the tires, and the gearing, along with winter blended fuel. Add to that the aerodynamics are not the same.

I like the Bronco but expected little less fuel consumption.

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[Tdub0527]

I’ve also noticed a decrease in MPGs in really cold weather too. I have a BB non Sas with the factory 32” tires. Guess it’s just part of the Bronco ownership experience.

 

[Butzy]

Perhaps warming it up to temp before driving? I notice significant drops in all my vehicles. Especially the ones with remote start....

 

[Boreal]

I’m seeing about a 3.5L/100km increase this winter.. approx 5-6MPG difference. On par with some others.

2.3 MT. Aka No Remote Start but plugged in outdoors. -30°C this week, warmed on idle for approx 90 seconds to get the 0w-30 and gear oils moving and gently/slowly off we go bringing the hubs, hydraulics and electronics up to temp

 

[BKXJ]

I’m trying to understand paying for premium no ethanol fuel in a Ford truck while also obsessively tracking fuel efficiency…

No need for premium and expecting it to improve your mileage makes no sense.

Our non squatch gets 21 regularly. Our ‘14 f150 gets around 18 empty.

 

[AKBronc49]

I’m trying to understand paying for premium no ethanol fuel in a Ford truck while also obsessively tracking fuel efficiency…

No need for premium and expecting it to improve your mileage makes no sense.

Our non squatch gets 21 regularly. Our ‘14 f150 gets around 18 empty.

There are separate (higher) power numbers for both the 2.3 and 2.7 running premium. That's why I do it anyhow. Now I'm getting 12 mpg or so with lots of idle time in AK winters (half the year).

 

[Jdc]

MPGs usually drop in the winter. There are a list of reasons but one simple thing you can do is make sure that your tire pressure is adjusted. The cold will reduce your tire pressure which will increase your rolling resistance. P=NrT/V. Have you adjusted your tire pressure?

 

[rtazz17]

Common. I drop about 2 mpg in cold weather. Any vehicle I drive.

 

[tbruz]

Winter(cold weather) fuel blends are the issue for reduced MPG performance.

https://www.gasbuddy.com/go/summer-blend-and-winter-blend-gasoline

 

[RHeinz]

The cold dry air is a LOT more dense than warm humid air. Ask any pilot about airplane performance in cold air, or warm humid air.

The denser the air is, the more drag there is on the vehicle. Takes more power to push it through the thicker air.

 

[Tricky Dick]

I’m trying to understand paying for premium no ethanol fuel in a Ford truck while also obsessively tracking fuel efficiency…

No need for premium and expecting it to improve your mileage makes no sense.

Our non squatch gets 21 regularly. Our ‘14 f150 gets around 18 empty.

Timing affects mileage and higher octane will allow it to advance the timing without detonation, so it stands to reason premium fuel can affect mileage in some situations.

 

[VIRUS]

I noticed significant increase in fuel consumption in cold weather. Have 2 door 2.3 automatic with Sasquatch and run premium no ethanol fuel. Since cold weather the actual fuel economy is 15.2 overall on three tanks of fuel. The computer shows over 17 but the actual calculation is 15.2. Performance is fine but uses more fuel than my 4x4 F150 with a 5 liter V-8. I would guess that the Sasquatch is the culprit due to rotational mass of the tires, and the gearing, along with winter blended fuel. Add to that the aerodynamics are not the same.

I like the Bronco but expected little less fuel consumption.

You've been on this forum since 2017?
Crazy, didn't know it was around then.
When did it start?

 

[JT58Bronc]

It has got to be a combination of the cold, vehicle aerodynamics, tires and engine efficiency. Any or all are contributors. I got much better MPG in my 2019 Silverado LD with 5.3 V8 and it had the old 6 speed HD transmission. And it was a heavy and huge truck- 4 X 4. But way better aerodynamics and it had smaller, smoother tires and the engine had cylinder deactivation. I got 25 MPG in it.

 

[Rjacks258]

The cold dry air is a LOT more dense than warm humid air. Ask any pilot about airplane performance in cold air, or warm humid air.

The denser the air is, the more drag there is on the vehicle. Takes more power to push it through the thicker air.

Yes, more dense air also equals more oxygen in the air by volume, so more O2 means more fuel needed to reach optimal a/f ratio.

 

[Gnomad]

There are separate (higher) power numbers for both the 2.3 and 2.7 running premium. That's why I do it anyhow. Now I'm getting 12 mpg or so with lots of idle time in AK winters (half the year).

I remember the 3 seasons of Alaska. Last winter, this winter and next winter.
On the serious side, AK fuel blends get really light in the winter, a legacy from the carb days when you needed that light fuel to vaporize in a carburetor. How many people in AK (of anywhere) still have a corbed vehicle? It's the 21st century, can we have some fuel with energy in it?

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