Dang Cold

auggy · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2005 7:33 pm

Since winter has started the gas milage on my 05' Renegade has dropped from around 17 to about 12 mpg per tank. Is this common with temperature or is something wrong? I'm sure my driving style has not changed that drastically and I don't have 4wd for the VAST majority of the time.

crash87 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2005 7:59 pm

I average around 14 or 13, driving with restraint in normal conditions, we got 4 inches of snow here today and have been in 4x4 all day, im maybe getting 12 or 13.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2005 11:42 pm

if it just got cold, it take the computer alittle while to adjust. But ur mileage will suck more in the winter. Same with a crd too. Mine will be like 14 when its cold. After about 20min of driving it goes back up. Driving around 2 miles each way a day, ive been using the same amount of gas as when i drove 30 miles round trip. So going 4miles each day with it 20F outside, i get like 8mpg. If i drive it on the highway after it gets warmed up, its all good.

tniverth · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:49 pm

Does your state have a rule for using special gas in the winter months to reduce emissions? In N.J. we had that crappy gas for a few years and it would reduce MPG.

Calvin56 · **Joined:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 1:59 am **Posts:** 345

I wonder wha'ts up? Theoretically, your engine should be getting more oxygen because of the denser/cold air. Assuming you aren't losing traction or having to use 4wd, something else must be contributing- maybe the engine losing too much heat (ignition chambers not hot enough) so that all your gas is not burning?

Gramps · **Posted:** Thu Dec 15, 2005 12:48 pm

I noticed the same thing with the last couple of tanksfull. Went from 17 around town to 15.2 and now 14.3 with the real cold NJ weather we've been having. I don't recall having this last year....

SunDvl · **Posted:** Thu Dec 15, 2005 1:37 pm

Same experience with poor mpg's on my Rene in Chicago over the last few weeks.

2003KJ · **Posted:** Thu Dec 15, 2005 9:51 pm

also, keep in mind that in the winter, "special additives" are added to the gas (by the oil companies) that supposedly make the gas "burn better" in the extremely cold temps....in reality, like alot of other things, it doesn't work, and it actually burns worse, even though you will not notice it in idle or engine sounds, it will show in the MPG readings. I've gone from my normal 15mpg in the summer to about 11mpg now.....coldest temps in the low 20's in the mornings....but my KJ stays in a climate controlled garage during the night. 5 miles to work one way, home for lunch, back to work again, then back home, makes 20 miles a day...plus where ever else I go. I try to cut back on the extreme short distance driving, as thats what kills your engine, and your MPG....or lack there of...lol.

Wasatch15 · **Joined:** Wed Jul 13, 2005 7:52 am **Posts:** 242

Also remember, if you are running the heat in any of the defrost modes, your A/C compressor is ON taking about 35 hp from your engine. Try the vent to feet or vent to face / feet mode if you don't require defrost, but only need heat. You may see your mileage rise.

Gramps · **Posted:** Sun Jan 01, 2006 10:24 am

Also remember, if you are running the heat in any of the defrost modes, your A/C compressor is ON taking about 35 hp from your engine.

I think the a/c is only supposed to kick on if the temp is above 35 degrees or so....

Dang Cold

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