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Author	Topic: 2 ways to increase fuel economy if you live where it gets very cold.	Post a Reply Back to Topics

boolka Rookie Author Ontario Posts:2 Points:465 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2011 6:17:19 AM Ignore boolka Report Abuse I live in Toronto, and it gets to -30C in the winter. 2 great ways to save on gas are: 1) get a engine block heater, and put it on a timer, so your engine is warm and ready. 2) Use synthetic oil during winter.

boolka

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Ontario

Posts:2
Points:465
Joined:Sep 2011

Message Posted: Sep 7, 2011 6:17:19 AM

Ignore boolka Report Abuse

I live in Toronto, and it gets to -30C in the winter.
2 great ways to save on gas are:
1) get a engine block heater, and put it on a timer, so your engine is warm and ready.
2) Use synthetic oil during winter.

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rhail2 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,452 Points:287,485 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2012 9:02:30 AM Ignore rhail2 Report Abuse thanks for the Info
reb4 Champion Author Chicago Posts:19,113 Points:1,822,125 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Jan 26, 2012 7:03:10 PM Ignore reb4 Report Abuse move somewhere warmer... :-)
GBHUGVA Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:4,697 Points:789,160 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Jan 26, 2012 2:36:36 AM Ignore GBHUGVA Report Abuse Ford Fusion EV/hybrid
chuckwthompson Champion Author Charlotte Posts:3,755 Points:577,185 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jan 25, 2012 11:22:47 PM Ignore chuckwthompson Report Abuse Great idea!
Locomotion Rookie Author Twin Cities Posts:26 Points:44,595 Joined:Sep 2001	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 7:09:37 AM Ignore Locomotion Report Abuse Boolka is correct. It also helps in the summer by dissipating heat better. And more efficiency can be gained by Changing your transmission and differential to synthetic oil as well. I have used Amsoil since 1972, in 7 cars, 3 boats, 3 trucks and many small engines. A friend told me about Amsoil and I was so happy I became a dealer. I have been impressed by the extended drain interval, now 25000 miles or one year and Amsoil is the only oil company that guarantees there oil. AMSOIL Limited Warranty
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,099 Points:36,585 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Jan 16, 2012 5:49:59 AM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse About the E..coolant fans running; They won't even come on if the sensors are working proper,like jimmy 554 mentioned,but I was refering to when Fall /Spring temps as when they do at times when the engine is working harder or being stopped in traffic. The outside air at say 50-65 degrees F is then a range which allow the fans to possible come on, depends, two months each Fall then about two months in the Spring,that is when the 1/2 speed could benefit less amperage draw on the system,for savings. Saying the fans wear/tear could be reduced also,the runtime would benefit,because of the cooler weather having the advantage to quickly reduce the coolant temps then, over the hotter Summer extremes. My mileage losses start when the outside temps overnight drop to only 60 degrees compared to 75 D... These seasons do have a lot of effects on engine behavior (modern ones at that not only mine) So I grabb at any thing that helps me or my machines benefit. It might not work for your region of driving. Diying is experimental,should show progress! ? ? Hmm....
redcoral Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,733 Points:327,175 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jan 15, 2012 11:36:38 PM Ignore redcoral Report Abuse I live near Toronto, outside of the city (where it gets even colder) and I'm thinking of using an engine block heater and doing a full or partial grille block to improve fuel economy. That's in addition to putting more air in the tyres when it's cold to get them back to the specified pressure of course!
MTWaddell Sophomore Author Milwaukee Posts:162 Points:26,920 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jan 15, 2012 8:16:37 PM Ignore MTWaddell Report Abuse Pay attention to your tire pressures. Tires will always drop pressure in cold weather and we all know that under inflated tires waste gas.
ricebike Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,032 Points:1,855,720 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jan 15, 2012 7:28:30 PM Ignore ricebike Report Abuse good to know
oilpan4 Champion Author Virginia Posts:12,055 Points:306,800 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jan 15, 2012 7:07:18 PM Ignore oilpan4 Report Abuse "For extreem cold regins,how about the electric cooling fans being altered to run at 1/2 the normal by a reduced voltage amount switched by the driver". Why run the cooling fan at all if the engine isn't up to operating temperature? My cooling fans haven't been turned on in weeks. I am running a half grill block and I still don't get to full operating temp most days.
gougedQC Champion Author Montreal Posts:5,130 Points:69,885 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jan 15, 2012 12:23:17 PM Ignore gougedQC Report Abuse mnrick041 just so you know, going from a warm garage to a cold exterior promotes rust in your car and water in the fuel tank, simply from condensation on the metal surfaces as they change quickly from one temp to the other. Especially as you are doing this every day.
diesdown Champion Author North Carolina Posts:1,700 Points:512,250 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jan 13, 2012 7:28:47 PM Ignore diesdown Report Abuse Use the correct wt synthetic oil year around.....once you go synthetic, not supposed to alternate.
maryph1958 Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,420 Points:283,095 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jan 13, 2012 4:38:32 PM Ignore maryph1958 Report Abuse good to know
jimmy544 Champion Author Boston Posts:4,112 Points:653,855 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jan 13, 2012 4:33:42 PM Ignore jimmy544 Report Abuse If your electric radiator fan is properly regulated it will not run if the temperature is too cold. That is how it properly runs. That is how the electric fan saves fuel.
schiguy24 Rookie Author West Virginia Posts:60 Points:149,430 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Jan 13, 2012 12:55:53 PM Ignore schiguy24 Report Abuse good to know
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,099 Points:36,585 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Jan 13, 2012 11:05:00 AM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse For extreem cold regins,how about the electric cooling fans being altered to run at 1/2 the normal by a reduced voltage amount switched by the driver. The amperage draw would be less,when they automatically run saving a bit of fuel.
rumbleseat Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:22,926 Points:3,530,310 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Jan 13, 2012 2:00:05 AM Ignore rumbleseat Report Abuse "One car says use 10/30 and that is good for most of N. America in the winter." I haven't used 10w-30 for at least 35 years. I use 5w-30 year-round, and have used it in every vehicle made in 1976 and newer. I started using semi-synthetic quite a few years ago, and for the last coupld of years full synthetic. 10w-30 is no good for a car parked outside if the temperature hits -30 and colder. 5w-20 is the same at winter temperatures as 5w-30, the car will start exactly the same with either. It will be different at operating temperatures. It appears manufacturers are recommending it for CAFE reasons. Check your Ford manual that says use 5w-20, then check the manual for the same car, same engine in Britain, it says 5w-30. It is virtually impossible to even buy 5w-30 in Britain.
oilpan4 Champion Author Virginia Posts:12,055 Points:306,800 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jan 13, 2012 1:15:54 AM Ignore oilpan4 Report Abuse Synthetic oil can be made thinner at lower temps than regular oil.
GaspricesblowNC Rookie Author Greensboro Posts:6 Points:552,855 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jan 13, 2012 12:56:39 AM Ignore GaspricesblowNC Report Abuse The engine block heater makes sense. How does the synthetic oil help?
MIT05 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:4,172 Points:1,391,550 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jan 12, 2012 9:10:26 PM Ignore MIT05 Report Abuse good to know
hailsupersport Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,230 Points:231,060 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jan 12, 2012 11:08:43 AM Ignore hailsupersport Report Abuse ok
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,099 Points:36,585 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Jan 12, 2012 9:27:54 AM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse jimmy544; I have been wondering about your profile picture,it looks like a 31" ford a model,fenderless nostalgia rod,Icould be wrong, wondering?
jimmy544 Champion Author Boston Posts:4,112 Points:653,855 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jan 12, 2012 9:15:42 AM Ignore jimmy544 Report Abuse You don't need synthethic oil in the winter but a lighter grade is good. One car says use 10/30 and that is good for most of N. America in the winter. Some newer cars have used 5/30 or even 5/20 and there is some 0/20 out there which you might run in the dead of winter.
mnrick041 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:14,306 Points:1,369,060 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Dec 23, 2011 5:16:05 PM Ignore mnrick041 Report Abuse My fuel economy is down because of the cold. I park inside all night in a warm garage. In the summer when I fill the car up it says that I have around 407 miles to empty, now when I fill it up it says I have 375 miles to empty, That is because the car calculates the recent MPG's I have been getting, which is down from the summer, about 37 miles less on a tank of gas.
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,099 Points:36,585 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Dec 22, 2011 11:19:39 AM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse I just discovered my presumable good quality jumper cables,yes heavy duty at that,they were quality > where the copper guage is concerned but they failed a week ago terribly.I was Idling 30 minutes at jumping this kids JOLOPY > his starter replacement,wires messed,out of gas,short of money,that sort of...thing (his only work vehicle down...etc. Humidity inside the toolbox affected the cheap metal ends where the copper anodized clamps/clips are rivited/bonded to the wire ends. I simply couldn't believe that results of failure,but after inspection Yes bigtime! The clamps are ok,the connectors must be redrilled, cleaned,new linkends soldered on ,probably stainless rebolted. Humidity/crossive metal messed,but repairable HO Ho hum Well we borrowed a 3.00 set jumpers and pulled the battery up enough to crank engine,later gassed he is on his way Merry Christmas Jump.
tori2432 Rookie Author Michigan Posts:2 Points:140 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Dec 22, 2011 9:29:22 AM Ignore tori2432 Report Abuse and make sure you rotate the tires - kinda like backing up computer hard drives, everyone knows to do it but people seldom do it!
oilpan4 Champion Author Virginia Posts:12,055 Points:306,800 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Dec 22, 2011 2:23:31 AM Ignore oilpan4 Report Abuse On my diesel I replaced the 2 or 4 gauge starter wire with 0000gauge and went with 2ga grounds on each battery.
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,099 Points:36,585 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Dec 21, 2011 10:53:04 AM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse In the most extreme cold climates,a Block Heater/battery warmer would be the most practical,simple way to go, saving fuel,time. and a more assured start. I have mentioned before about DIY ing this: I Parallel wired both battery cables with a second cable #4 guage along side the original,from battery to starter, Battery to ground,using wire ties along the way. This made a huge differience on engine crank speed winter/Summer. Best improvement I ever did on the work vehicle it(sits outside always.A heated battery case would be nice also(blanket?
jetta_gia Veteran Author Toronto Posts:279 Points:240,340 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 21, 2011 2:00:28 AM Ignore jetta_gia Report Abuse good tips
jetta_gia Veteran Author Toronto Posts:279 Points:240,340 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 21, 2011 2:00:28 AM Ignore jetta_gia Report Abuse good tips
jetta_gia Veteran Author Toronto Posts:279 Points:240,340 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 21, 2011 2:00:27 AM Ignore jetta_gia Report Abuse good tips
tattoo666TX Champion Author Texas Posts:2,567 Points:344,480 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Dec 20, 2011 4:39:58 PM Ignore tattoo666TX Report Abuse Move to S.E. Texas where there is no real winter.
skynet Champion Author California Posts:2,866 Points:736,130 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2011 3:00:14 PM Ignore skynet Report Abuse 3. Don't turn on the heater
rick_evans Champion Author Boston Posts:3,725 Points:1,033,730 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2011 12:58:05 PM Ignore rick_evans Report Abuse Should also increase motor life.
Dennis783 Champion Author Des Moines Posts:13,594 Points:2,703,885 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2011 6:25:24 AM Ignore Dennis783 Report Abuse I'm with WSU, I just park in the garage
defuzer Sophomore Author Virginia Posts:174 Points:119,750 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Dec 14, 2011 7:07:59 AM Ignore defuzer Report Abuse I used to live in Fairbanks and along with the OP's recommendations add an oil and transmission pan heater. Keep it on the same timer as the block heater. It will keep your 0 weight from getting gummy and allow your ATF to be in a more fluid state for better shifting. It wastes a ton of gas idling long enough to turn frozen ATF to liquid.
WSU_Coug Champion Author Boise Posts:3,123 Points:723,320 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 12, 2011 6:48:11 AM Ignore WSU_Coug Report Abuse Park car in garage
tattoo666TX Champion Author Texas Posts:2,567 Points:344,480 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Dec 12, 2011 4:24:59 AM Ignore tattoo666TX Report Abuse use sythetic oil year round. It gets you better mileage in the warm weather too!
pickfordite All-Star Author Michigan Posts:736 Points:94,020 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 11, 2011 7:08:44 AM Ignore pickfordite Report Abuse The problem with moving south is you have to live with southerners.
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,908 Points:2,055,805 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2011 5:45:02 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse OR, move to the south.
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,345 Points:693,460 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2011 1:14:59 PM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse Even in Georgia's winters (15-20 minutes long), a block heater saves gas. It will reduce the open loop time substantially and that's important because when the engine is cold, it is drinking gas. A block heater was so important to me, I installed one just after getting my Ranger.
RalphHightower Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,304 Points:689,480 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2011 3:18:37 AM Ignore RalphHightower Report Abuse I don't need a block heater in the southeast, but I do use synthetic oil
Lucster1000 Rookie Author Ontario Posts:81 Points:3,550 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Sep 26, 2011 7:03:15 AM Ignore Lucster1000 Report Abuse Toronto only gets that cold a few times a year, I live in Barrie and a block heater isn't needed up there. I have also lived in Winnipeg where it is a must have.
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,045 Points:2,447,575 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 21, 2011 4:07:40 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse A block heater is a good thing.
a351c Champion Author Mississippi Posts:9,031 Points:1,698,610 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Sep 21, 2011 12:23:58 AM Ignore a351c Report Abuse Or move south.
diesdown Champion Author North Carolina Posts:1,700 Points:512,250 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Sep 20, 2011 2:58:10 PM Ignore diesdown Report Abuse Inflated tires, not ego!
peapaw Champion Author Ohio Posts:4,041 Points:688,770 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Sep 20, 2011 8:28:39 AM Ignore peapaw Report Abuse No "warming" up the engine, it will warm as you drive, just no extreme driving while engine is cold.
joeboxerTN Champion Author Tennessee Posts:1,000 Points:94,675 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Sep 20, 2011 7:21:06 AM Ignore joeboxerTN Report Abuse boolka Rookie Author Ontario Posts:2 Points:465 Joined:Sep 2011 Thanks for the post. It will be nice for all of us to post gas prices as well as topic, just to mention what this forum is all about, find the best deals. :-)
timothybp All-Star Author Mobile Posts:665 Points:310,350 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Sep 12, 2011 7:13:18 AM Ignore timothybp Report Abuse I dont guess I will ever have to worry about that living in the south
kst8er Champion Author St. Louis Posts:2,882 Points:1,046,440 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Sep 10, 2011 6:19:38 PM Ignore kst8er Report Abuse All good points