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Causes of increased fuel consumption in the winter season

Winter brings with it not only the 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.

Firstly, 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 the warmth at least for the night, and in the morning you can pour boiling water over the collector. Do not start the engine immediately, 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.

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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, and 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 tire pressure for the winter, 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 combat high humidity in the cabin, because when you step into the warmth from the cold, a lot of moisture evaporates from your clothes and body, as a result, the glass sweats, and 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 put more pressure 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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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 for the engine to reach operating temperature. Extra idle time results in 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 ​​leads to the fact that the engine will "sneeze", the car will move jerkily.

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 that are used daily, 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 overall costs.

And it is not only the engine that needs to be warmed up. Transmission oil and bearing grease become thicker in freezing temperatures and take time to warm up and reach 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 average values ​​- 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 high revs. And leaving a parked car after a heavy snowfall is a separate story. 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 lower (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 cabin heater has to constantly work at full capacity. In addition to the salon, the rear windows and mirrors have to be heated separately... And you can't go anywhere - this is already a matter of security. And the energy for the operation of all heaters is provided by the engine, 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 battery to its nominal 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), just because of this factor, you can use up 10% more gasoline than 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.

It will not work to achieve the same fuel consumption in summer and winter - the conditions are too different. And in winter, the car will still consume more gasoline. For example, 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 impact.

Ways to reduce fuel consumption in winter

Engine

• Reducing the warm-up time of the engine 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 the normal operation of the engine.... 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 deadline. The new oil will obviously make the engine work easier.

Tires

• Change 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 on an equal footing, and when driving on a good road. In winter, the conditions are far from being 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 where the superiority of winter tires is undeniable.
• It is important to remember about decrease in tire pressure when the temperature drops ... It is impossible to bring the pressure to values ​​outside 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 power consumers - for example, a sound system. Especially until the motor is fully warmed up and the battery is charged after starting.

Driving behavior

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.

• Necessary avoid abrupt start from a place ... The car can simply remain in place, skidding on inopportunely tucked ice.
• It is advisable to take a more responsible approach to the choice of the route, avoiding traffic jams ... Winter traffic jams are bigger, so it's better not to risk it, hoping that it will dissipate soon.
• Keep a close eye on the condition of the road, andavoiding areas where the machine may get stuck or skid .
• Do not park in the first available place. 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 ... During long trips, it "steals" fuel in summer, and in winter this consumption increases.
• Healthy 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

5 (100%) 5 voted

Let the oilmen and the government promise that fuel prices will not rise until at least the beginning of next year, they have already reached a fairly high level. And in winter, fuel consumption increases dramatically. Moreover, contrary to physics, after all, according to the Carnot cycle, with an increase in the temperature difference, the efficiency of the mechanism should increase, and cool air is preferable for the motor, rather than hot. But there are side factors that lead to increased fuel consumption.

Warming up the engine

In winter, we warm up the car longer than in warm weather, although automakers assure that even in subzero temperatures, you can move immediately after starting the engine. But in order to preserve the resource of the engine and transmission, it is advisable to properly warm up the engine, and then move at low speeds until the power unit and oil in the gearbox are completely warmed up.

Many people install alarms on cars with the ability to remotely start, and some automakers have this in the factory options (for example, the Renault Start system). Naturally, starting the engine from home while we are going to the car leads to increased fuel consumption.

Additional energy consumers

Heated seats, heated mirrors, rear, and often windscreens waste additional energy, forcing the battery and generator to work at increased load. The switched on stove, and often the air conditioner (to dry the air in the cabin) also increases fuel consumption.

Road conditions and tires

Snow and mud and snow "porridge" lead to slippage and increased resistance when driving. Accordingly, the engine runs at increased load, and this leads to additional fuel consumption. Studded tires also make their contribution: after all, they "bite" into the road surface, which also increases resistance when driving. A decrease in tire pressure also leads to increased fuel consumption, so it is recommended to check it more often in winter.

Also, traditionally in winter, the average speed drops. And in large cities, closer to the New Year, dead traffic jams begin. Naturally, the engine in this situation spends more fuel.

Additional items in the trunk

Many people increase the number of items carried in the trunk. Here there is an anti-freeze supply, and a shovel, an additional tool. The car becomes heavier, the fuel consumption increases.

Uncleaned car

Many people are too lazy to completely clean the car from snow before driving: they wiped off the glass and all right. In addition to the fact that it is unsafe for others, snow adhering to the body also increases fuel consumption, because the car becomes heavier and its aerodynamics change.

Not the most obvious reason

In winter, the air density changes. Moreover, the colder it is, the higher it is. At minus forty degrees, it is 30% more than at plus thirty, and such a range of temperatures is quite real for some regions of Siberia. Accordingly, the higher the air density, the stronger the aerodynamic drag, which means the car needs more fuel to move at the same speed as in summer.

• Winter is a special time for the car and its owner. Even ardent opponents of various "improvements" are drawn to shops for

It is not a secret for motorists that in winter the car consumes much more fuel than in summer. Therefore, it is not economically profitable to travel by car in winter, but at the same time it is very convenient, and many people prefer to spend extra money, but at the same time remain warm, comfortable and "on wheels."

Top causes of winter fuel consumption

Among the most obvious reasons for the greater waste of fuel in winter is the fact that in winter, drivers have to warm up their cars for a long time before driving, since the used engine oil thickens due to low temperatures. Without sufficient warming up, a car equipped with a carburetor engine will stall while driving and constantly “sneeze”, and insufficiently lubricated mechanisms and engine parts will wear out faster.

First of all, the situation with excessive consumption of fuel in the cold season is typical in those cases when the driver warms up the car daily in the morning, before going to work, and in the evening, before going home from work. Due to the regular warming up of the car in winter, fuel consumption increases by about 5-10% on average, although here, of course, all the advantages and disadvantages of a particular car model must be taken into account.

An additional factor that significantly affects the excessive consumption of fuel in winter can also be called the use of a stove. In frosty and cold weather, a rare driver will give up this convenience. At the same time, a stove constantly working while driving is capable of increasing fuel consumption by an average of 4-6%. In this case, it is also necessary to take into account the characteristics of the brand and model of the vehicle.

In addition to the reasons listed above for increased fuel consumption in winter, there are several more:

• overcoming snow drifts and drifts;
• slipping.

The additional drag on a snowy road is more fuel intensive because it uses more power from the car's engine. The same applies to car slipping - slippery, icy roads and attempts to overcome a snowdrift when stuck in it require the engine to work at high speeds, which inevitably leads to increased fuel consumption.

It has been noted that prolonged skidding or attempts to leave a snowdrift require approximately the same amount of fuel as would be required for a normal city trip under normal conditions.

Simple solutions

There are several best ways to reduce winter fuel consumption without going overboard or investing large sums of money. So, for example, when slipping, you should not turn the steering wheel hard, trying to get out of the snowdrift - it is better, slowly rotating the steering wheel, to try to "find" a sufficiently suitable area for grip between the surface and the wheels. You can try to put branches, boards or something similar that is nearby under the wheels, or sprinkle the road in front of the car with sand.

You can ensure efficient fuel control in winter by installing special "winter tires". It was noted that motorists using special tires for winter roads are less susceptible to slipping and problems with snowdrifts, which significantly affects fuel consumption and financial costs. When choosing winter tires, it is better to consult with specialists and choose those that are best suited for a specific make and model of car.

Surely, someone from motorists, noticing an increase in fuel consumption with the onset of cold weather, went to the service and asked to find non-existent faults. The outcome of the case depended on the conscience of the masters: the honest ones will immediately tell you what the reason is, those who want to cash in will surely "fix" something and take the money. All that was needed was to pay attention to the weather.

There are a number of prerequisites for improving "appetite". Each of them makes a small contribution, but together they already have a noticeable effect: the average consumption for a trip computer can easily grow by a liter or more.

The first reason, we think, everyone knows - a longer warm-up of the engine. Until the engine reaches operating temperature, its appetite is much higher. In modern units, this is manifested even more. For the sake of ecology, they try to warm up the catalytic converter as quickly as possible (it actually does not work in a cold state) and, therefore, more actively "drink" gasoline.

In general, the engine generally runs longer in cold weather than in warm weather. Someone, before the start of the trip, stands for a few minutes, warming up the engine on the spot. Almost everyone does not turn off the engine during short stops (for example, at a store), if someone remains in the cabin. So extra minutes of work run up, which, of course, are reflected in the average consumption.

Rolling resistance increases in winter, which also negatively affects the owner's wallet. First, the rolling resistance of winter tires is higher than that of summer tires. Secondly, any lubricant thickens in the cold. This means that work is more difficult for all rotating components. To crank them, the engine wastes extra energy. Thirdly, on snow, ice and just wet asphalt, almost every start-off occurs wheel slip. And this is also wasted gasoline.

The sludge system of the machine supplies energy not only to the wheels. All consumers of electricity also depend on it. And in the cold they are used much more than in the heat. There are so many heating systems for everything and everyone in a modern car! Plus a constantly working stove, almost constantly - headlights and windshield wipers. The additional load translates into increased fuel consumption.

The battery makes a howl. It works at its limit in winter (especially on short trips) and needs to be constantly recharged. Here's another article on "write-off" of gasoline.

The last reason is traffic jams. No one will argue that there are more of them in winter than in summer. Well, maybe the opposite is true in the southern resorts. And in megalopolises the average speed drops. As a result, more fuel has to be burned on the same route.

It is practically unrealistic to bring winter fuel consumption to summer values. Well, unless you change to public transport, using your own car to a minimum. This, by the way, is also not the stupidest advice, especially for car owners with short trips. Of course, it's more comfortable in your car than in a bus or subway car. But having to sweep the snow and push in traffic jams for someone can negate the gain in time. In addition, for a kilometer or two the interior will still remain cold, so the stay in the car will not be particularly pleasant.

The most effective way is to reduce the increase in gas mileage due to warming up. These ancient carburetor machines did not run on a cold engine. And you will not warm up a modern power unit at idle speed. Of course, nobody canceled the laws of physics. The thickened oil must be allowed to "disperse", so you should not press the gas into the floor immediately after the start. The optimal algorithm for warming up the engine is a couple of minutes at idle (you still have to spend time cleaning the snow and wait for the windows to thaw), after which you can start slowly driving.

Nowadays, very few people use the terms "summer oil" and "winter oil". Modern motors use lubricants that perform well in all seasons. And yet, if you have an oil of viscosity, for example, 10W-40, it is better to change it to 0W-40 before the onset of frost. Recall that the low-temperature properties of the oil are prompted by the number in front of the letter "W". It is necessary to subtract 35 from it: get the minimum air temperature at which the engine can be “cranked” on this oil during a cold start. Those. grade 10W-40 is designed for temperatures up to -25 degrees, 0W-40 - up to -35.

Fuel consumption is greatly influenced by the mass carried by the engine. If the saved milliliters are so important to you, do not be lazy to completely clear the body of snow and ice, do not carry too much in the trunk and the cabin. For example, leave in the garage or on the balcony the entire supply of "anti-freeze" for the windscreen washer, one canister is enough.

All other tips for saving fuel in winter will, to one degree or another, be at the expense of comfort. By giving up heating and the autostart function, you can also save extra grams of precious fuel. But was it worth paying for these options in this case? And some of the ways to achieve savings can be downright dangerous. So, it is certainly not worth neglecting the inclusion of light in winter, almost constant twilight.