Fuel Efficiency Tips for Cold Weather

Cold weather can take a toll on your car’s fuel efficiency. The engine has to work harder to stay warm, and the cold air is denser, which makes it more difficult for the car to move through it. As a result, you can expect to see a drop in your gas mileage during the winter months.

But there are things you can do to improve your fuel efficiency in cold weather. Here are a few tips:

1. Don’t idle. Idling is a waste of fuel, especially in cold weather. When you idle, your engine is running but not going anywhere. This means that it’s burning fuel without giving you any benefit in return.

If you need to warm up your car before driving, do it for a few minutes at most. Then, start driving slowly and carefully. The engine will warm up faster when it’s moving.

2. Check your tire pressure. Tire pressure drops when the temperature drops. This can lead to decreased fuel efficiency and increased wear and tear on your tires.

Check your tire pressure at least once a month, or more often if you drive in cold weather. Make sure to inflate your tires to the recommended pressure, which is usually listed on a sticker on the driver’s side doorjamb.

3. Combine trips. If possible, try to combine your trips into one longer trip instead of making several shorter trips. This will help to reduce the number of times you need to start your engine, which can save you fuel.

If you have to make multiple stops, try to park in a warm place whenever possible. This will help to keep your engine warm and make it easier to start.

4. Use a block heater. If you live in a very cold climate, you may want to consider using a block heater. A block heater is a device that plugs into your car’s electrical outlet and helps to keep the engine warm overnight.

Using a block heater can help to improve your fuel efficiency and make it easier to start your car in the morning.

5. Use synthetic oilSynthetic oil flows better in cold weather than conventional oil. This can help to improve your fuel efficiency and reduce wear and tear on your engine.

If you live in a cold climate, consider switching to synthetic oil. You can also use a lighter weight oil in the winter than you would in the summer.

6. Remove unnecessary cargo. The more weight your car is carrying, the more fuel it will use. If you have any unnecessary cargo in your car, remove it.

This includes things like a roof rack, cargo box, or hitch-mounted bike rack. Even if you’re not using them, they can add drag to your car and reduce your fuel efficiency.

7. Drive smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts and sudden stops. This will help to improve your fuel efficiency and reduce wear and tear on your brakes.

When you’re driving in cold weather, be extra careful to accelerate and brake slowly. This will help you to avoid slipping and sliding.

8. Use cruise control. Cruise control can help you to maintain a consistent speed, which can improve your fuel efficiency.

However, be careful not to use cruise control in icy or snowy conditions. Cruise control can make it difficult to react to changes in the road conditions.

9. Keep your car well-maintained. Regular maintenance, such as oil changes and tune-ups, can help to improve your car’s fuel efficiency.

Make sure to follow your car’s owner’s manual for recommended maintenance intervals.

10. Choose the right fuel. Some types of fuel are more fuel-efficient than others. For example, winter-blend gasoline is designed to improve fuel efficiency in cold weather.

If possible, choose a fuel that is specifically designed for cold weather driving.

Bonus tip: Use a fuel additive. There are a number of fuel additives on the market that claim to improve fuel efficiency. However, the effectiveness of these additives is questionable.

If you do decide to use a fuel additive, be sure to choose one that is compatible with your car’s engine.

red suv on snow covered road during daytime

Additional information on each tip

Don’t idle

Idling is when you run your car’s engine without driving it. It’s a waste of fuel and can also damage your engine.

Cold weather makes it even more important to avoid idling. When your engine is cold, it takes longer to warm up and is less efficient.

If you need to warm up your car before driving, do it for a few minutes at most. Then, start driving slowly and carefully. The engine will warm up faster when it’s moving.

Check your tire pressure

Tire pressure drops when the temperature drops. This is because air compresses when it’s cold.

Underinflated tires can reduce your fuel efficiency and increase wear and tear on your tires.

Combine trips

If possible, try to combine your trips into one longer trip instead of making several shorter trips. This will help to reduce the number of times you need to start your engine, which can save you fuel.

If you have to make multiple stops, try to park in a warm place whenever possible. This will help to keep your engine warm and make it easier to start.

Use a block heater

If you live in a very cold climate, you may want to consider using a block heater. A block heater is a device that plugs into your car’s electrical outlet and helps to keep the engine warm overnight.

Using a block heater can help to improve your fuel efficiency and make it easier to start your car in the morning.

Use synthetic oil

Synthetic oil flows better in cold weather than conventional oil. This can help to improve your fuel efficiency and reduce wear and tear on your engine.

If you live in a cold climate, consider switching to synthetic oil. You can also use a lighter weight oil in the winter than you would in the summer.

Remove unnecessary cargo

The more weight your car is carrying, the more fuel it will use. If you have any unnecessary cargo in your car, remove it.

This includes things like a roof rack, cargo box, or hitch-mounted bike rack. Even if you’re not using them, they can add drag to your car and reduce your fuel efficiency.

Drive smoothly

Avoid jackrabbit starts and sudden stops. This will help to improve your fuel efficiency and reduce wear and tear on your brakes.

When you’re driving in cold weather, be extra careful to accelerate and brake slowly. This will help you to avoid slipping and sliding.

Use cruise control

Cruise control can help you to maintain a consistent speed, which can improve your fuel efficiency.

However, be careful not to use cruise control in icy or snowy conditions. Cruise control can make it difficult to react to changes in the road conditions.

Keep your car well-maintained

Regular maintenance, such as oil changes and tune-ups, can help to improve your car’s fuel efficiency.

Make sure to follow your car’s owner’s manual for recommended maintenance intervals.

Choose the right fuel

Some types of fuel are more fuel-efficient than others. For example, winter-blend gasoline is designed to improve fuel efficiency in cold weather.

If possible, choose a fuel that is specifically designed for cold weather driving.

Bonus tip: Use a fuel additive

There are a number of fuel additives on the market that claim to improve fuel efficiency. However, the effectiveness of these additives is questionable.

If you do decide to use a fuel additive, be sure to choose one that is compatible with your car’s engine.

How to follow these tips in a global context

Some of these tips may be more difficult to follow in certain parts of the world. For example, if you live in a very cold climate, you may not have access to a garage or sheltered parking.

If this is the case, you can still try to follow some of the other tips, such as combining trips, using synthetic oil, and driving smoothly.

You may also want to consider using a block heater, if possible. Block heaters are common in cold climates, but they may not be available in all countries.

By following these tips, you can improve your fuel efficiency in cold weather, no matter where you live.

Improving your fuel efficiency can save you money on gas and help to reduce your environmental impact.