WOW, cooler temps bring HIGH mileage

[JimIsbell]

I have heard that high temps and high humidity give the best economy. BUT...I think these tales are from people north of the Mason Dixon line where High temp means 80F. Here, high temps mean 100 F

Yesterday a cold front blew through and the night time temp went down to 65 F. Today, at 75 F, the car has improved mileage of about + 10 mpg. It really likes the cooler weather. Down here, I think it gets so hot that we are on the other side of the mileage/temp curve.

I also noted that the battery which I left reading 15 bars on the SOC when I parked it, was up to 19 bars this morning. And, NO, I do not yet have my charger set up finished. The SOC must set itself based partially on the air temperature.

[Insightful Trekker]

Could be... but its contrary to what has been posted for years before in here.

Maybe the "relaxed" regs in regard to summer blend fuels because of Ike. IMO makes more sense.

[ikhoudvanu199]

i have also realized that 65-75 degrees F is the ideal temp...its just hot enough to get good mileage, but not so hot that you need to use the a/c or open the windows(thus decreses mpg) to keep from dying of heat exhaustion

[Insightful Trekker]

Originally Posted by ikhoudvanu199

...its just hot enough to get good mileage, <snip> to keep from dying of heat exhaustion

So how hot is too hot for good MPG (sweat dripping from brow) <rhetorical>

The only time I use the A/C is for windshield dehumidification. And the MPH "hit" for windows open @50MPH is _less_ than with A/C on. I'm sure there are other Insighters with different MPG goals that have different strategies for maximizing their MPG. But for _maximum_ MPG, cooler weather just adds comfort.

[JimIsbell]

Well, anyone living in the southern US that doesn't use the AC in the summer is either a liar or un-married...

But in this case. I saw an increase in mileage of 10 mpg and I have not been using the AC for three days so it was not turning off the AC and I haven't filled up in two weeks so its not the fuel. The only thing that has happened since I was getting 10 mpg less is that a cold front, the first of the season, blew through day before yesterday and the night time temps dropped from the normal 78 to 80 F down to 65 to 75F Its been cool enough in the morning that I was thinking I should have a jacket over my short sleeves.

So,
No, its not the fuel
No, its not the lack of AC
The car is just running better, with more power, at the cooler temperatures.

[Insightful Trekker]

Originally Posted by JimIsbell

Well, anyone living in the southern US that doesn't use the AC in the summer is either a liar or un-married...

Neither

Remember there is always a 3rd option.

Most of my work keeps me outdoors. So sweat is unavoidable. Now on hot days in my street clothes, its tempting... but in the hills of east Tennessee you don't get my MPG numbers without some sacrifice. And I'd agree along the gulf coast the going would get tough.

So I guess that labels you

[JimIsbell]

Yep, I am married.

[Insightful Trekker]

[JimIsbell]

Yes, I am married, and that is why I still don't have the second battery pack installed or the plug in charger installed. Tomorrow is our 50th wedding anniversary so for the past, god knows how long, we have been getting ready for the big celebration tomorrow. All my projects are on hold. The past week, because of preparation for hurricane IKE I have been really busy and my wife fled the coast so I have been a bachelor. I have learned that there are things that a man needs a wife for. For instance, men don't know how many dirty dishes you need to collect before you put then in the trash. Women know these things.

[Willie Williford]

Thats why "old bachlors" have large dogs.

Willie