Quote:
Originally Posted by Cameo White
I second Citcapp. In Illinois (at least the Chicago area, and I think the metro east around St. Louis), the fuel mixture is changed for winter (increased oxygenates, I was told, supposedly to help reduce pollution, since the cold air can trap it next to the ground for days on end). My 2004 Vue (Honda V6) drops off by anywhere from 5-10 MPG per tank (worst when it is real cold), down to around 10 or 11 at times, in city driving.  The falloff isn't as bad on the road. Some of this is due to increased warm up and idling etc, but the same thing used to happen with my 94 Cutlass Supreme convertible that had the 3.4 DOHC V6. The explanation I read somewhere a few years ago is that the increased oxygenates in the exhaust passing by the O2 sensor cause the computer to dump more fuel through the system. There may be less pollution from oxides of nitrogen this way, but there is probably more from unburned hydrocarbons getting through. Anybody else see this? I think maybe it was in Car and Driver at the time, but it has been several years and I may not be remembering it all correctly. |
X2 I'm not sure about gasoline, but fuel is blended to avoud gelling, my economy is aproximately 55% off my peak in summer months. You may also want to considder rolling resistance. IE, tire pressure, and fluid viscosity. I'm comming from a trucking mindset, where these variables can make huge differences in power output, and resistance. Cold air is denser, so theoretically you should be producing more power, all other things being equal. Check alignment, tune, tire pressure. internal resistance can be reduced by using synthetic lubes, and fluids. Fuel is fuel, about the only thing you can do there is shop around for a supplier that has the "better" stuff. There is adifference from supplier to supplier as far as addatives go. As an aside avoid citgo, and petro fuel unles you want to put money ito hugo chaves' pocket. No sence supporting someone who hates America and everything it stands for, especially when he is trying to get nukes.
