More MPG info...
03-22-2014 | 12:42 AM
#41
New Member
Joined: 05-09-2013
Posts: 23
From: Roc,NY
I've gotten down to 20mpg this winter. Mostly due to the amount of idle time in the morning so I don't have to freeze in the negative 20 degree weather. But I usually get 26-28 here in Cleveland, and most of my driving in highway, 60-65 mph. In the cold the air much denser. Denser air means the engine will take in more. More air, more gas to keep the proper ratio. In the summer, ill 30 mpg, maybe 32 if I'm Careful
03-24-2014 | 02:35 AM
#42
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 01-29-2014
Posts: 140
From: New England
Can't wait for warmer weather. I have to say though, overall, my gas mileage is significantly higher than when I first got the HHR.
Tire pressure, air filter and MAF cleaning (I think) helped. I'll switch over to full synthetic at the next oil change and perhaps new plugs, too.
That may be good for a mile or two. Then that'll be that.
Last edited by 11hhrlt; 03-24-2014 at 11:05 AM.
11-03-2017 | 12:14 AM
#43
Joined: 07-29-2013
Posts: 8
From: Prior Lake,Minnesota
economy drop off in winter
This can be caused by the winter fuel blend also. I notice in both my vehicles that in October the gas mileage drops off by 2-3 mpg. Then comes back up in March/April when summer fuel blends are back.
11-03-2017 | 09:45 AM
#46
Senior Member
Joined: 11-19-2011
Posts: 227
From: Alabama
Winter can be hard on mpgs for a few reasons. Idling/warmup will use some gas, whatever they've done with the fuel, and the cooler air is denser. In order to maintain stoichiometry the car has to squirt in more fuel, due to the denser air. And, as mentioned before, running the defroster does engage the a/c compressor, to dry the air.
In addition to the idle warmup, even if you warm up while driving, it'll still take longer to get up to temp, so it isn't as efficient for a bit there.
I have a 30 mile (one way) highway commute, so my economy doesn't seem to take as much of a hit... probably because the car has plenty of time to come up to temp, and spends most of the trip at a good operating temperature where it's happy.
In addition to the idle warmup, even if you warm up while driving, it'll still take longer to get up to temp, so it isn't as efficient for a bit there.
I have a 30 mile (one way) highway commute, so my economy doesn't seem to take as much of a hit... probably because the car has plenty of time to come up to temp, and spends most of the trip at a good operating temperature where it's happy.
11-04-2017 | 11:30 AM
#47
Senior Member
Joined: 12-17-2016
Posts: 555
From: Silverhill, AL
Winter can be hard on mpgs for a few reasons. Idling/warmup will use some gas, whatever they've done with the fuel, and the cooler air is denser. In order to maintain stoichiometry the car has to squirt in more fuel, due to the denser air. And, as mentioned before, running the defroster does engage the a/c compressor, to dry the air.
In addition to the idle warmup, even if you warm up while driving, it'll still take longer to get up to temp, so it isn't as efficient for a bit there.
I have a 30 mile (one way) highway commute, so my economy doesn't seem to take as much of a hit... probably because the car has plenty of time to come up to temp, and spends most of the trip at a good operating temperature where it's happy.
In addition to the idle warmup, even if you warm up while driving, it'll still take longer to get up to temp, so it isn't as efficient for a bit there.
I have a 30 mile (one way) highway commute, so my economy doesn't seem to take as much of a hit... probably because the car has plenty of time to come up to temp, and spends most of the trip at a good operating temperature where it's happy.
The first thing I noticed last winter when I got my HHR is that it warms up FAST.
Maybe three minutes down the road after starting and I am able to start adjusting the heat around.
