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AR15.COM
12/9/2009 10:33:18 AM EDT
How much do you typically find your fuel efficiency goes down in the winter?

I've always found my Tacoma doesn't do as well during the winter, presumably due to fuel additives. But this year it has been taking a continuous nose dive, starting back in September I would say. The difference is over 4 mpg between the middle of summer and now. That may not sound like a lot to some, but I keep close tabs on the fuel consumption in that truck, and I haven't had it dip this low before unless I was pulling a trailer or something.
12/9/2009 10:44:05 AM EDT
[#1]
Car wise none. That is if you dont let it warm up a long time for heat. I've even noticed a slight improvemnent if the air is cooler. Snow and ice and all is out the door.
12/9/2009 11:01:33 AM EDT
[#2]
I own a Tacoma as well and based on what I read on the forums, that's pretty common with Tacos.

I don't notice too much difference in mine though.
12/9/2009 11:04:00 AM EDT
[#3]
Quoted:
The difference is over 4 mpg between the middle of summer and now.


What's your typical drive look like - Short errands, or long trips?

12/9/2009 11:07:16 AM EDT
[#4]
Mine goes way down, mostly because I use the defroster (which uses the AC) pretty regularly. I rarely use the AC otherwise.
12/9/2009 11:11:50 AM EDT
[#5]
I lose between 2 and 3 mpg between summer and winter.

Most of the driving is at 55mph on country roads, but the kicker is the trans doesn't shift into overdrive for almost 5 miles from home causing the RPM's to be higher.
12/9/2009 11:12:33 AM EDT
[#6]
I get better mileage during the winter... as long as I'm not in 4WD.
12/9/2009 11:14:19 AM EDT
[#7]
All I know is I never let my car warm up first and that means grinding gears for about five minutes.
12/9/2009 11:57:36 AM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
Quoted:
The difference is over 4 mpg between the middle of summer and now.


What's your typical drive look like - Short errands, or long trips?



Some of each, lately more short trips. But even factoring that in, it's still taken a dive beyond normal. I never had such a wide variance unless I was pulling a trailer. Also, it hasn't been spiking much, it's been a steady decline for the worse.

Actually, my Tacoma always got the best mileage on moderate speed roads moving at an average of 55mph. High speed trips on the interstate always killed my gas mileage with this truck, I think because the gearing is too low. Even in 6th gear, I'm well over 2.5k rpm at 65mph. If I'm moving at 75mph, the engine is running pretty fast.