| Winter conditions put a tremendous strain on your | | | | needed to move these parts translates into more |
| car and on your driving. Winter also puts a strain | | | | fuel burned and lower gas mileage. |
| on your fuel economy. In order to prevent a | | | | Since your engine needs to overcome some |
| decrease in your fuel economy you need to be | | | | temperature issues to lubricate itself in the cold |
| aware of some specific issues with regard to | | | | you do need to give it a little longer to idle after |
| your car and your driving in the winter. | | | | starting than you would in the summer. But, I |
| One of the two main characteristics of winter, | | | | have to stress this, it only needs about 30 |
| cold temperatures, create conditions that lower | | | | seconds of idling, no more. That little extra idling |
| your fuel economy. A car that is cold uses more | | | | does affect your gas mileage. |
| fuel to start up than a warm car. The colder the | | | | Some things you can do to mitigate the affects |
| car the more fuel it uses when it starts. | | | | of cold on gas mileage are: Park your car in a |
| In cold weather, the engine of your car is harder | | | | heated garage if available. Even a non heated |
| to start. The oil in your car is thicker when it is | | | | garage may be warmer than leaving your car |
| cold and thus requires more energy to get it | | | | outside. It may be time to get rid of all the boxes |
| flowing. All the parts that are lubricated by this | | | | in your garage and make room for your car. |
| thicker oil require more energy to move them. | | | | Make sure you are using an oil that is |
| More energy means that it will take more fuel to | | | | recommended for your car in cold temperatures. |
| move the parts. Your engine will use more fuel to | | | | The proper oil will flow better in cold weather thus |
| run until it warms up. | | | | reducing the amount of energy needed to start |
| Cold temperatures also effect other parts of | | | | and run a cold engine. |
| your car. The bearings, joints, transmission, power | | | | In extreme cold climates an engine block heater |
| assisted brakes, and steering mechanisms will all | | | | will help keep the engine and oil warm thus |
| require more energy to move them when they | | | | avoiding a complete cold start. You will need a |
| are cold. These mechanisms all depend on some | | | | way to plug it in and keep it plugged in until you |
| fluids to operate. Like the engine oil these fluids will | | | | are ready to drive. |
| be thicker in cold weather and will require more | | | | Don't wast fuel warming your car when you start |
| energy to move them. Again that translates into | | | | it. You only need about 30 seconds of idling to |
| more gas. | | | | make sure the oil is flowing sufficiently in the |
| Other parts of your car will be stiff and may be | | | | engine. Excessive idling beyond 30 seconds will rob |
| frozen. Moisture in the air can condense and | | | | you of gas mileage faster than anything else. Let |
| freeze on many car parts. Water from | | | | the car continue to warm up as you are driving. |
| precipitation or from the road may have frozen | | | | Although winter and the cold temperatures that it |
| on to part of the car. It will take more energy to | | | | brings can greatly reduce fuel economy you can |
| move these parts. Wheel bearings, suspension | | | | minimize it's affect. If you follow the simple steps |
| systems and wheels themselves are some of the | | | | outlined you can keep your gas mileage up at the |
| parts effected. The same applies, more energy | | | | level it should be. |