yup -- your car will be in the "warm-up mode" longer -- which will zap some of its fuel efficiency. When the weather warms up -- you'll get a better MPG again.
-- Jessica
my car: 2002 Mini Cooper S (Pure Silver / Black)
his car: 1999 VW Golf Wolfsburg ed. (Black)
In the winter, many metro areas in the USA require the use of a different gasoline blend to further reduce emissions. Usually called oxygenated fuel, it delivers a little less mileage.
I'm not sure if they do that here in the DC area. I remember them doing tests several years ago in North Carolina. You'd think there'd be a notice on the gas pump. I'll look out for it.
Another big thing is the bearings. If you try to coast in the winter, you will go a significantly shorter distance before stopping than in the summer. This means your engine is working harder to maintain a constant speed.
-Andrew
Edit: It is because the bearings are cold, or at least colder than in the summer.
Obviously it depends on your style of driving, but that seems awfully low. That's 16.5 miles per US gallon. I can (on a good day admittedly) get 15 miles per US gallon in my 1966 V-8 Mustang. That kind of mileage in a modern car with a relatively small engine seems wrong. Hopefully I'm not being alarmist, but you might want to have some one check it out.
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