Fall
CAR CARE
How to improve winter fuel economy
Many motorists notice that their vehicles seem to get less miles per gallon in cold weather than in warm weather. That’s not a trick of the brain, as studies have shown that cars do, in fact, have poorer fuel in economy in cold weather. According to the United States Department of Energy, fuel economy tests have indicated that, when driving in short-trip city driving, a conventional gasoline car’s gas mileage is about 12 percent lower at 20 F than it would be at 77 F. The disparity is even greater in hybrid vehicles, which can see their fuel economy decline by roughly 34 percent when driven at 20 F. Before drivers can understand how to improve their winter fuel economy, it’s beneficial to learn why cold weather has such an adverse effect on a car’s fuel economy. A host of factors combine to reduce fuel economy in the winter. When temperatures dip, engine oil and other driveline fluids also get colder, and this increases engine and transmission friction. That forces the vehicle to work harder and use more fuel. An engine also takes longer to reach its most fuel-efficient temperature when the weather outside is cold. This won’t have too great an impact on fuel efficiency when taking long trips, but the shorter the trip the less economical the vehicle’s use of fuel will be, as a shorter trip means the vehicle is spending a larger percentage of the overall drive at a less fuel efficient temperature. Another reason fuel economy suffers in the winter is the necessities and certain creature comforts drivers need when driving in the cold weather. Windshield defrosters and vehicle heating systems use a substantial amount of power, and that usage forces the vehicle to expend more energy and use more fuel. And while many drivers consider heated seats one of the greatest automotive inventions known to man, those seats also use up a lot of power that negatively impacts fuel economy. But factors outside the vehicle also impact its fuel economy in the winter. For example, colder temperatures decrease tire pressure, and that increases roll resistance, which means the car must work harder and use more fuel to get down the street than it would if it were riding on fully inflated tires in the summertime. Cold air also is more dense than warm air, and that increases aerodynamic drag on the vehicle, which then needs to use more fuel to counter the increased drag. So what can be done to improve fuel economy in the win-
ter? Fortunately, drivers can take several steps to do just that. • Park the vehicle in a garage. Leaving your car in the driveway in the winter means you might have to dig the vehicle out come winter snowstorms. But that’s not the only inconvenience of parking your vehicle outside in the winter, as doing so can adversely affect its fuel economy. When possible, park the car in the garage, as this increases the initial temperature of the engine, engine oil, drive-line fluids, and the vehicle’s cabin. This can shorten the time it takes for the engine to reach its most fuelefficient temperature while decreasing the engine and transmission friction that negatively impacts fuel efficiency. • Disregard conventional wisdom. Conventional wisdom has long suggested that idling a vehicle for several minutes will warm up the engine more quickly than simply driving. But many vehicle manufacturers now recommend that drivers idle their vehicles for no more than 30 seconds, noting that idling the car unnecessarily wastes fuel and that driving the vehicle is the fastest way to warm up its engine. If you must warm up the vehicle, stick to the now widely accepted guideline that recommends idling for no more than half a minute. Another nugget of conventional wisdom motorists may want to ignore concerns the motor oil they use in the winter. Many vehicle manufacturers now recommend a specific type of oil to use when driving in cold weather, so follow that advice instead of adhering to past practices that may not have been as fuel efficient. • Monitor tire pressure. As noted, colder temperatures decrease tire pressure, so drivers should monitor their tire pressure regularly throughout winter to keep their vehicle safe and to ensure they are not wasting fuel. • Remove the roof rack. Summer adventurists who love tying their mountain bike or kayak to their vehicles’ roof rack before heading off to explore parts unknown should remove those roof racks when the temperatures dip. Roof racks increase wind resistance and decrease fuel economy, so remove them during the offseasons. Fuel economy will almost certainly decrease when the mercury drops. But drivers can employ a number of strategies to make their vehicles more fuel efficient in cold weather.
Beautiful
safety hazard
While falling leaves can be a sight to behold, those leaves can become a nuisance to drivers in various ways. Understanding certain inconveniences and safety risks posed by falling leaves can help motorists protect their vehicle and themselves. Staining Leaves can do more than just stain driveways; they also can damage a vehicle’s paint job. Should wet leaves, sap and other chemicals that leach out of the leaves stay on a car for an extended period of time, they can cause an outline stain and damage to the paint. It’s important to manually pick leaves off of the car’s surface right after they fall. Do not sweep them away; otherwise the leaves can scratch the paint surface. When all the leaves have been removed, thoroughly wash and dry the vehicle. Should stains be present already, use a commercial leafstain remover or automotive paint cleaner. Tackle one stain at a time. Clogging Leaves that fall can become trapped in
air intake vents, eventually impeding flow and causing odors. Leaves that fall in the groove of the windshield by the windshield wipers should be removed. Use a high-powered shop vacuum to remove any leaves that are imbedded in the venting. Check other areas of the car where leaves can become problematic, such as under the vehicle or in the rear exhaust pipe. Slippery surfaces The Car Care Council notes that wet leaves on the surface of roadways can be hazardous. Wet leaves can make roadways quite slippery, even as slippery as roadways when snow is falling. Drivers should slow down when roads are covered with wet leaves and take turns and off-ramps more carefully. Dry leaves also can pose problems, as they tend to accumulate at the edges of roads, where they easily can obscure curbs or street markings. Leaves may fill potholes, giving the false impression that a road is smooth and causing damage to tires and suspension systems when drivers drive over them.
Winter prep checklist
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• Schedule an oil change at the beginning of winter. Dirty oil can hinder cold-weather starts and, if coupled with low coolant levels, can make it difficult for the engine to turn over. • Keep jumper cables, a battery booster pack and warning cones in your vehicle. These can come to the rescue if your battery dies and you’re stranded on the side of the road. • While you’re stocking the trunk or cargo bed, include a shovel, sand or cat litter, a flashlight, an ice scraper, water, and a blanket. These are good emergency items to have in the event your car breaks down in the winter. You can dig your tires out of a snow drift with the shovel and apply litter to increase traction. The blanket will come in handy if you have to sit in a cold car for a while awaiting roadside service. • Consider taking a winter driving course. Icy, snowy conditions completely change the defensive tactics needed to navigate the roads. A prepared driver is one who is more likely to avoid accidents and make it home safely.
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Fall is a time to prepare homes, vehicles and even our psyches for the arrival of winter. To get your car cold-weather ready, check and repair these items now. • Tire pressure can drop in cold weather. When tires are underinflated, you lose fuel efficiency, so monitor and maintain tire pressure throughout the winter. • Those who live in particularly cold climates should switch from all-season to winter tires. Much as you wear winter boots to provide more traction and protection than sneakers, so should you equip your vehicle with tires that will stand up to winter terrain. • Check on the status of your battery and its starting power. Cold weather can put more strain on a car battery. A battery that is already weak may not turn over when you need it most. • Replace worn wiper blades and upgrade to a windshield fluid that is rated for subzero temperatures. Each of these items will improve visibility when winter precipitation is making its presence felt.
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