Loss of MPG?

[.Steve]

This is possibly going to be one of them stupid threads that gets nothing but sarcasm, but I suppose its worth a check. It's my first year of driving so not sure if this is the norm, but since the weathers started getting worse/colder, my MPG has been dropping more and more.

Got my first car in june, a 1.2 mk3 extreme. All through summer and when I started work in late september I was getting about 40-42MPG.

However, since about mid october my MPG just keeps going down, its gone down from about 42 down to 35 and it just keeps going down?!

Someone said it might just be because its winter, engines working hard to heat up, using the heaters more/for longer etc.

But still thought I'd check if it could be anything else? As 35MPG seems a bit weak from a 1.2, considering most of my miles are a 12 mile round trip to work which is practically all dual carriageway.

 

[Ray Gin]

The weather will play a big part IME. Doesn't need a service or anything does it?

 

[.Steve]

The weather will play a big part IME. Doesn't need a service or anything does it?

Na, got serviced when I bought it, and its had the oil and antifreeze etc checked/topped up lately.

A search on google found a similar thread on saxp, and it seems to be that its just due to winter.

 

[Ireedyink]

Can be many things. Weather, different petrol company? Also city driving and shorter distances make a huge difference. Stuck in traffic in shitty weather is a killer for mine. Running about 35mpg at the minute

 

[Matt W]

Winter.

Hoping I get an improvement on 26mpg when it warms up again.....

 

[The Fatty]

Don't worry its just the cold. Mines dropped also. I think its to do with the fact that the engine takes longer to reach the temperature for the hot map, thus you end up burning more fuel in the opening stage of the journey, which if its a short journey will make a big difference to the MPG.

 

[DannyR]

I'd say its more to do with colder air meaning the car is using more fuel

 

[JON13S]

Yeah agree, my diesel barge gets hit hard during the winter months. Economy drops right off.

 

[.Steve]

Cheers guys, thought it was just down to weather just thought I may as well get it confirmed.

Couldn't be different fuel company, only use shell mate.

To "The Fatty" yeah that sounds reasonable, cos it only takes me a 10 min drive down the a1 to get to work, and by the time I get there the engine still shows as being pretty cold.