winter fuel consumption

[Louis-Alain Richard]

Don't forget the "turbo effect". Cars with lots of torque down low (modern
turbo engines, from that 200Q20V till now) are easier to "push" when cold,
cause the turbo hides the fact that the engine is still cold. I'm driving a
different car each week since 2007, and in a normally aspirated car you'll
notice it when the engine is under normal temp. In a turbo car, just floor
it and it goes without a single hiccup.

To prove my theory, witness the X6M that I drove last February : 204 km, 70
liters (premium). That's 34 l/100km, or 7 mpg ! The 555 hp V8TT engine would
pull that 3-ton truck like if it was an 80's 3-series. No drama, no waiting,
just pull till the redline. Price to pay is at the pump. 

Louis-Alain



-----Message d'origine-----
De la part de Huw Powell


On 1/26/2011 11:59 AM, Brandon Rogers wrote:
> I think also, colder, denser air requires more fuel to keep the proper
> mixture.

But that doesn't affect efficiency, it just makes a higher fuel/air 
charge possible if the engine management can handle it.

> Snow tires affect mileage.  More stop n go during snow storms.

Yup.

> Extra idle time to warm up.  I know I sure like the extra power in cold
> temps so my right foot gets happy too.

And that too.

Also, no-one mentioned spinning tires, which can happen by accident, or, 
um, on purpose.  Although, theoretically, that would still turn the 
odometer...