Winter mileage

racer26 · 11-23-2011, 12:47 PM

Wow, Eli wasn't kidding when he said my car would feel like it has lead blocks for tires.

I put my winter tires on Saturday morning: GoodYear Ultra Grip P175/65R14 on steel rims

Its brutal. My route home from work, I set my record at 2.8L/100km in the summer. Was able to pull 3.0-3.2 consistently without trying. As it got colder, that went up to 3.5-3.7. I put the winter tires on, and its dropped to 4.2, with a similar level of trying to that which yielded the 2.8.

Anybody have ideas for ways I can improve it? Its become ALOT harder to maintain LB, and I think that's the issue.

talonmike · 11-23-2011, 01:19 PM

With studded tires, I got around 5 in winter, but it is pretty cold here.

Eli · 11-23-2011, 01:28 PM

Yeah, it's really amazing how much of an impact tires/wheels have on our cars.. I know some people scoff at the idea that tires will make such a profound difference, but they really do.

I think the only thing you can do is pump them up as much as you feel comfortable..

Need4Speed · 11-23-2011, 02:49 PM

Right now I don't need winter tires, I have a winter vehicle for snow days - Chevy Avalanche 4x4 with Goodyear Dura Tracs.

racer26 · 11-23-2011, 03:10 PM

They're already at 40psi. Max sidewall is 44psi.

I was thinking I should try and find a set of insight wheels to put them on, but I dont know how much difference it would make.

timny1984 · 11-23-2011, 03:41 PM

Pump them to 44psi atleast. I go over 44psi on my blizzaks. i think i run 50-55psi in the blizzaks on my HCH. Just depends what your driving conditions are and what you are comfortable with. I drive straight for basically 60 miles, so i'm not worried about the pressure.

Tim

**jime** · 11-23-2011, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racer26

They're already at 40psi. Max sidewall is 44psi.

I was thinking I should try and find a set of insight wheels to put them on, but I dont know how much difference it would make.

I don't think wheels will make much difference. Though we only get really cold weather in Jan/Feb it hurts here in Richmon, VA also. I think everything just starts going against you when it really gets cold.
1. Snow tires are going to have more natural rolling resistance than the RE92.
2. All tires, even RE92, have more rolling resistance when cold.
3. The little engine loses a lot more heat when the weather is really cold. That heat must be made up in fuel consumption.
4. Warmups take longer, from a lower temperature. Until warm, the friction in every bearing in drivetrain is higher.

I can only think of a few things that would help.
1. Air the tires to max sidewall.
2. Use a block heater - two if possible. The stock Honda block heater will only raise the water temp to around 130 deg. F on a 40 degree morning, if left on all night. Using an additional heater such as a oil pan pad, or a heater hose fitment would help get some real heat into the engine. Or, put a 200 watt light bulb under the hood. Something to get the engine a little warmer on frigid mornings.
3. Make sure you are using the 0W20 synthetic oil that is recommended.
4. You could get a set of Formula 1 tire warmers

Eli · 11-23-2011, 04:32 PM

The OEM 400W block heater will heat the coolant to 140F on a 40F morning after ~3 hours as per my testing. Anything longer is just a waste as it doesn't result in a rise in temperature.

It drops to ~130F at 30F. It seems to be good for about a 100 degree temperature rise; when it was 25F ambient it rose the coolant temperature to 125F.

Anything longer than 3 hours seems to be a waste. I tried up to 4.5 hours, and the result is the same as with 2.5-3 hours. I have mine on a timer set to come on ~3 hours before I leave for work.

**jime** · 11-24-2011, 12:06 AM

You say 100 degree delta, I say 90. What's 10% among friends

Interesting about the 3 hours.

**TRI** · 11-24-2011, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racer26

Its become ALOT harder to maintain LB, and I think that's the issue.

As a reduction of 5 percent drag can open the LB more and safe 10% fuel, the other way round feels pretty hard.

I 'lost' about 0.5 from summer to winter season, like 2.3 in summer at >77F to 2.8 in winter at <41F, even with the same tires (RE 92) and even with a heatblock and a modified outside air temp sensor (for better autostop) in winter. When the winter tires will be fitted it will go up by 0.5 again and push me out of LB.

racer26: does your autostop and regen work in winter as in summer?