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Why increase gasoline consumption in winter. Why fuel consumption in winter more than in summer? Road Conditions and Tires

19.04.2020

Have you noticed that the car consumes a lot of fuel in winter and at another time of the year? This is an important point, negatively affecting the budget. He worries vehicle owners who do not want to throw money into the wind. If you have such an unpleasant situation, familiarize yourself with our publication. In it we will tell why the problem appears and how to reduce fuel consumption with effective methods. After reading the article you will learn a lot useful information And you can use it to minimize the loss of gasoline!

Top 5 reasons for fuel consumption

Let's look at the reasons because of which vehicle Consumes a lot of fuel in the winter. These include:

  1. Cooling technical fluids and cold Engine - After starting the machine, you need to wait until the operating temperature is created for the trip. At this time, the car consumes a lot of fuel.
  2. Work stove in the cabin, heated seats and windshield - To solve such tasks, a lot of energy is required. Therefore, the engine consumes an order of magnitude more gasoline and diesel fuel;
  3. Reducing tire pressure - with minus temperature indicators, pressure decreases. In this case, rolling resistance increases.
  4. Riding on the snow-covered snowdrifts, a car bucking - the snow creates an additional resistance that needs to be overcome. This is spent a lot of energy. It is compensated by increased gasoline consumption.
  5. Reducing the speed of movement on a slippery road - this indicator certainly affects the budget.

Fuel economy is a question that interests drivers not only in winter. At another time of the year, the car can also consume a lot of gasoline. What is it connected with? The main objective reasons include later ignition, irregular gaps in the ignition candles, the wear of the cylindrophone group, non-regulated alignment, contaminated fuel injectors, scored air filter. The generator is also able to take part of the fuel consumption. An increase in the load on the generator may entail a faulty battery. Considering that the defective starter can completely exhaust the AKB resource. Using you can exclude malfunctions of units.

There are also subjective factors due to which the question arises how to reduce fuel consumption. These include the overload of the car above the norm, the installation of spoilers and kites, movement at high speeds with open windows, long-term operation of the climatic and acoustic system.

How to reduce fuel consumption in winter

What fuel consumption is considered permissible? For each type of vehicle, it is different. This indicator is calculated on the basis of the base rate, taking into account operational, weather, road factors.

How to save gasoline and diesel fuel Winter? We have a detailed answer to this question:

  • before starting the winter, contact the service center. Let experts adjust the wheel alignment;
  • regularly check tire pressure - it will help to avoid unnecessary cash;
  • get rid of excess weight - free the trunk from everything that you do not need;
  • move along the track at a constant speed - avoid aggressive driving;
  • use a special engine insulation - such a product is made of refractory materials. With it, it is significantly reduced by time to heating the motor in the frost.

And one more point: periodically contact a service station for the purpose of checking technical status vehicle. Meaning timely replacement air filter, Cleaning nozzles from contamination, Troubleshooting the gas distribution mechanism. It is also necessary to use oils and liquids, which are recommended by the car manufacturer. When you take into account all the nuances, saving fuel in winter and at other times the year will not be a challenge problem.

So numerous winter tests Vehicles show that at a temperature of -6 degrees, the consumption of car fuel in the city is 12% higher than at air temperature +25 degrees. It is noteworthy that if you are operating a car in winter, driving every day no more than 4-6 km. per day, the fuel consumption may increase by 22 percent compared to the positive temperature. But there are ways to prevent a great increase in fuel consumption in winter.

It is worth noting that in spite of the super economy of hybrid, in winter, the increase in fuel consumption in hybrid cars Even more significant compared to traditional machines. So according to research, at temperatures below -6 degrees, fuel consumption may increase from 31 to 34 percent compared to the plus temperature more than 20 degrees.

Why winter fuel consumption is higher?

Cold weather affects your vehicle much more than you think. We offer you a list of reasons why in winter any car begins to spend much more than at positive temperatures on the street:

- The load on the engine and the box increases in the winter due to strong cooling. Any vehicle is necessary for normal operation so that all fluids have heated after starting the cold motor. For example, or transmission oil thick in frost. When running the power unit in the cold, time is required so that the oil is heated. This requires excessive energy.


- In winter, any engine requires more time to dial the operating temperature. Most cars before the optimum engine temperature set, much more fuel is consumed than after warming up to operating temperature. That is why if you use a car in winter for a short time (small kilometer), then because of the engine warming up, your car will consume much more fuel than the warm season.

- Heated seats, glasses, the work of the stove and the operation of the glass washer tank pump, consumes a lot of energy from the engine, which as a result of this begins to consume more gasoline or diesel fuel.

- Engine heating, before moving from the spot, reduces your savings to almost zero. . In this mode, the biggest overrun of fuel.


- more cold air It becomes more dense, resulting in an aerodynamic resistance of the air of your car. It is worth noting that the higher the speed in winter, the more fuel will be overwhelmed by your car.

- decreases, as temperature drops to negative values. The greater the frost, the lower the pressure in the wheels. As a result, the resistance to rolling increases.

- Winter varieties of gasoline or diesel fuel can contain substances that reduce in the engine, in contrast to summer fuel in which the energy may be greater. As a result, the car begins to spend a little more fuel than in the warm season.

- Power and much faster is racing in winter, with the result that the machine generator requires more power to charge the battery to maintain the optimal charge. Due to the load on the generator, fuel consumption increases. Also, cold weather can influence the hybrid machines that are equipped with battery charging system using recuperative braking (when braking, the excess energy enters the battery of the supply electric motor).

With severe winter conditions and with severe frost, fuel consumption may increase even more.


- On Ice and Snow-covered Roads, the tire clutch with a road surface decreases. To maintain the desired torque for unhindered movement, the engine needs excessive energy.

- As a rule, the average speed of movement is reduced on slippery roads. It is noteworthy that with the average speed of movement below 50-70 km / h, the fuel consumption can greatly increase.

- If your machine is equipped with fully driveIn winter, the fuel costs are guaranteed, especially on a snow-covered or slippery road.

What can I do to improve fuel savings in cold weather?


You can not do so that in winter it is the same as in the summer. But, nevertheless, any of you will be able to achieve an effective reduction in fuel consumption in the winter, which will allow you to save money. Here are some tips as you can achieve a decrease in fuel consumption:

- Leave your car in a warm place. For example, in a warm garage (or remove a warm garage during the winter period) or on a paid indoor warm parking lot. Thus, every morning your engine will need much less energy to heat up to the optimum temperature.


- Do not warm the engine on idling Too long time. Try to warm the motor in the process of movement on small revolutions. In this mode, you will not only save fuel, but also achieve a faster heating of the motor to the operating temperature. . Nowadays, many automakers recommends to touch from a place after 30 seconds after launching the power unit.

- Do not use autonomous heaters and anti-icers more than it is necessary.

- Choose with satellite navigation optimal routes Through traffic

- Check regular pressure in

- Remove the automotive accessories that increase the resistance of the air. For example, the trunk that you do not use every day.


- If you are the owner in a strong frost, try not to use car charging Phone, navigator and other electronic gadgets. Also, if you eat in the mode that provides for the operation of the electric motor, try not to include the heating stove to maximize temperatures.

- If you are driving and the temperature on the street is not too cold, then instead of the interior heating, use electric heating of the seats.

- Clean the car from excess snow (especially on the roofs) which significantly increases the weight of the machine.

- Use only winter. If the tire protector has great wear or age exceeds 5 years, then be sure to buy new rubber.

- Park the car in such a place so that the sun's rays in the daytime heated the body's body

If you prefer to refuel your car by branded fuel with improved characteristics, then in winter it is better to pour traditional fuel stamps, since improved gasoline or diesel fuel has many chemical additives, due to which the flow can increase.

Let the oil workers and the government promise that fuel prices will not grow at least until the beginning of the next year, they have already achieved quite high level. And in winter, fuel consumption is seriously increasing. Moreover, contrary to physics, because according to the carno cycle, with an increase in the temperature difference, the efficiency of the mechanism should increase, and the cooling air is preferable to the motor, and not hot. But there are side factors that lead to increased flow Fuel.

Engine warming

In winter, we warm up the car longer than in a warm time, although automakers assure that even at minus temperatures you can move immediately after the engine has started. But in order to preserve the engine and transmission resource, it is desirable to warm up the motor, and then move at low speeds until the power unit and oil in the gearbox do not warm up.

Many are installed on car alarm with the possibility of remote launch, and some automakers are in factory options (for example, the Renault Start system). Naturally, the engine is placed from the house while we are going to go to the car, leads to increased fuel consumption.

Additional energy consumers

Heated seats, electrical heating mirrors, rear, and often windshield We spend extra energy, forcing the battery and the generator to work in the high load mode. The included stove, and often conditioner (in order to dry the air in the cabin) also increase fuel consumption.

Road Conditions and Tires

Snow and "porridge" from dirt and snow lead to slipping and elevated resistance when driving. Accordingly, the engine works with an enlarged load, and this leads to additional flow Fuel. Covered tires are made of adhesive: after all, they are "bungled" into the road surface, which also increases the resistance when moving. A decrease in tire pressure leads to an increased fuel consumption, so it is recommended to check it in winter.

Also traditionally, the average speed drops in winter. And in large cities, closer to the new year, the deaf traffic jams begin. Naturally, the engine with such a situation spends fuel anymore.

Additional items in the trunk

Many increase the number of objects transported in the trunk. Here is the supply of non-freezers, and a shovel, an additional tool. The machine becomes harder, the fuel consumption is growing.

Crude car

Many are tangled to completely clean the car before driving from snow: glasses got out and okay. In addition, it is unsafe for those surrounding, the snowing snow increases and fuel consumption, because the car becomes harder and the aerodynamics change.

Not the most obvious reason

In winter, air density changes. Moreover, the colder, the higher it is. For minus forty degrees, it is 30% more than with a plus thirty, and such temperature scatter is quite real for some regions of Siberia. Accordingly, the higher the air density, the stronger the aerodynamic resistance, which means the car you need more fuel to move at the same speed as in the summer.

  • Winter - a special time for the car and its owner. Even the Tychny opponents of various "improvements" stretch into shops for

For motorists is not a secret that in winter, the car consumes more fuel noticeably than in summer. Therefore, economically movement on the car is not profitable in the winter, but at the same time it is very convenient, and many people prefer to go on extra costs, but remain in the warmth, comfort and "on wheels".

The main causes of fuel consumption in winter

Among the most obvious causes of greater fuel waste in winter, it is possible to call the fact that in the winter time drivers have to warm up their cars before starting movement, since motor oil Because of the low temperature thickens. Without enough warming machine, equipped with carburetor Engine, It will be stuck in the process of movement and constantly "sneeze", and not enough blurred mechanisms and parts of the engine - to wear faster.

First of all, the situation with the overpowering of fuel in the cold season is characteristic in cases where the driver warms the vehicle daily in the morning, before traveling to work, and in the evening, before traveling from home. Because of the regular warming of the machine in winter, fuel consumption increases on average by approximately 5-10%, although here, of course, it is necessary to take into account all the advantages and disadvantages. specific model car.

An additional factor that significantly affects fuel overrun in winter can also be called the use of the stove. In frosty and cold weather conditions, a rare driver will refuse such convenience. At the same time, the stove constantly working during the movement can increase the fuel consumption by an average of 4-6%. In this case, it is also necessary to take into account the characteristics of the brand and model of the vehicle.

In addition to the above causes of increased fuel consumption in winter, there are some more:

  • overcoming snow drifts and snowdrifts;
  • bounce.

Additional resistance of the snow-covered road requires high fuel costs, as it uses more power of the car engine. The same applies to the bounces of the car - slippery, iced roads and attempts to overcome the snowdrift during the jams in it require the engine of work on high revolutionsThat inevitably leads to increased consumption of fuel.

It is noticeable that there is a long bounce or attempt to leave a snowy snowdrift require about how much fuel as it would take for a regular urban trip under normal conditions.

Simple solutions

There are some of the most optimal ways to reduce fuel consumption in the winter, without applying too much effort and without investing significant amounts of money. So, let's say, when it is not necessary to turn the steering with a driving hard, trying to leave the snowdrift - better, slowly rotating the steering wheel, try to "grope" a fairly suitable fit for the clutch between the surface and wheels. You can try to put under the wheels of the branch, the board or something like that, that there will be nearby or sprinkle the road in front of the auto sand.

To ensure effective fuel control in winter, by installing a special " winter tires" Noticed that motorists using special tires for winter roads, less susceptible to bounce and problems with snowdrifts, which significantly affects fuel consumption and financial costs. When choosing winter tires It is better to consult with specialists and choose those of them that are best suited for a specific brand and car model.

Surely every motorist is aware that winter is a real test for any car. This is especially true when reducing temperature mode Below 10-15 ° C. Low temperatures can not only lead to increased wear of the power unit during a cold start, but also entail an increase in consumption by car fuel, on average up to 15% compared to positive temperatures.

Increased fuel consumption in the winter period of the year, directly depends on some factors:

Increasing the consumption of fuel in winter, starts from the moment the power unit is launched, and the temperature ambient Below, the more gasoline consumption increases. This is due to the fact that at lower temperatures, the time of engine warming increases and as a result, the growth of fuel consumption. And, as it is known that the consumption of gasoline at idle is no less than during the movement.

How to be in the current situation? After all, not to warm the car in the winter before the trip will cost more. This is due to the fact that the oil in the power unit in winter is much thickening and if you start moving without warming up, it will lead to fast wear Engine due to poor-quality lubrication, moving nodes. Based on this, no matter how much you want to save on gasoline, you still have to spend time to warm the car, as you buy spare parts and engine repair itself will cost much more expensive.

Naturally, this can be avoided, saving your iron horse in heated room or installing electrical system Engine Preheating. This will not only help save fuel, but also to extend the operational resource of the power unit.

The next important factor that affects the fuel consumption is to control the car on snow-covered roads. Snow cover formed on the surface of the roadway creates an additional barrier, to overcome which power aggregate More power will be required and as a result, an increase in gasoline consumption.

The appetite of the Iron horse will increase even more if the snow on the road becomes wet, which leads to his sticking in the fears and twisted wheels. Therefore, when driving on a wet snow, it is necessary to stop from time to time and sneak snow from the pikest arches.

However, the maximum consumption of fuel occurs when the car is hit in a snowy snowdrift. After all, to depart out of the current situation, the motorist may need a long time, to stop on the spot, trying to leave a snowdrift, and this can lead to a single extra liter of gasoline.

Also on the consumption of fuel, even if it does not significantly affect the constantly turned on the heating of the cabin and it will not come out with it. After all, there will be no automotive to freeze in the car for saving several liters of gasoline.

Well, another factor directly affecting fuel consumption, both in the winter and summer, is a ride style. To save fuel, the most appropriately smooth and measured movement without unnecessary jerks and sharp braking.