Does cold weather reduce MPG?
#11
03-06-2010, 08:44 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
After giving it some thought, here's my theory someone can punch holes in. Cold air = dense air meaning your ECM will dump more fuel in to keep the mixture from being too lean = less fuel milage. That being said you have more power because you have more combustion because you have more fuel and air = more power. So the result of cold air means more power but less fuel economy.
#12
03-06-2010, 09:35 PM
http://www.bellperformance.net/pdf/F...ageFactors.pdf
More about the winter blend of fuel and how it hurts your mileage.
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More about the winter blend of fuel and how it hurts your mileage.
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#13
03-06-2010, 10:18 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
All these answers are correct. It is a combination of winter blends, and colder air. Summer blends have a lower Reid Vapor Pressure and contain more energy which will contribute to better mileage. Colder air = denser air = more fuel to burn. You may even notice that your bike runs stronger in the winter because of the cooler air. Some may have heard of a cai? Cold Air Intake. Use to create more horsepower
#14
03-06-2010, 10:22 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
I haul gas for Bp and all States have winter fuel. Its cheaper to make and only summer blends are mandated. Summer fuel cuts down on emissions
#15
03-07-2010, 01:45 AM
Nuthin' to do with any of that!
I have a pal that is an engineer at a local oil refinery. He set me straight and I confirmed it myself.
Winter blend fuel! It will be here until the end of April.
As soon as the pumps have summer blend fuel, the mileage goes right back up!
I see the OP has Florida as his home. I'd be interested to hear why they'd need winter blend fuel down there. But I know for a fact this is the problem up here.
I have a pal that is an engineer at a local oil refinery. He set me straight and I confirmed it myself.
Winter blend fuel! It will be here until the end of April.
As soon as the pumps have summer blend fuel, the mileage goes right back up!
I see the OP has Florida as his home. I'd be interested to hear why they'd need winter blend fuel down there. But I know for a fact this is the problem up here.
#16
03-07-2010, 02:32 AM
I find mine burning more fuel trying to maintain temp (higher rpm). Aluminum dosen't hold heat well like iron does. But colder the air the perkier the engine is to a degree.
#17
03-07-2010, 02:47 AM
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Been Riding the Panhandle and lower AL all winter long and my fuel light on the Bonneville T100 EFI comes on right on at 132 if I ride it consistently. She does like the cool air once warmed up. the 95 flstn takes a lot longer to warm up but once warm she gets cool too. not sure about the mileage on the flstn yet because I have yet to run a completely full tank. it has two gas caps and I just found out that I have to fill the low side first and then the high to get her completely full.
#18
03-07-2010, 04:09 AM
Another variable between winter and summer could be the way you ride. If there's more icy or wet roads, more engine warm up time, tyre warm up etc I spend less time gassing it so would probably get better mileage that way.
#19
03-07-2010, 04:18 AM
Hit it squarely on the head,EFI stays in open loop a little longer thus more fuel.Carbed motors love the cooler air don't waste a minute worrying about it.
#20
03-07-2010, 05:50 AM
I notice a difference if I'm doing short trips, but longer ones give same fuel mileage as always. I guess alot of the decrease some see is from warming up engine longer. That's 0 MPG right there.