weather effect performance?
12-21-2008, 08:22 PM
#2
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Yes weather conditions impact engine performance. The more dense the air, the more hp the engine will produce. Higher air density = colder air or dryer less humid air or higher barometric pressure or lower altitude. An engine in Death Valley (lowest altitude) in freezing temps with 0% humidity and a high pressure system overhead will put out more hp than the same engine in Denver (high alt) in 100F heat while it's raining (100% humidity) from a hurricane outside (low pressure).
12-22-2008, 07:04 AM
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Yes, cold air helps the engine make more power.
On the down side, cold air (denser, more viscous) requires more power for the car to push through it. As an extreme, think of driving a car submerged in molasses. And of course, colder oil and grease in the drivetrain require more power, too. These are the things that result in poorer gas mileage in the winter.
On the down side, cold air (denser, more viscous) requires more power for the car to push through it. As an extreme, think of driving a car submerged in molasses. And of course, colder oil and grease in the drivetrain require more power, too. These are the things that result in poorer gas mileage in the winter.
12-22-2008, 08:34 AM
#4
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Originally Posted by dhayner,Dec 22 2008, 11:04 AM
These are the things that result in poorer gas mileage in the winter.
12-22-2008, 12:08 PM
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Originally Posted by negcamber,Dec 22 2008, 10:34 AM
I always thought it was the "winter blend gasoline" that caused lower gas mileage in winter.
I filled up, gone about 40miles and its allready at 3/4 a tank.
12-22-2008, 01:33 PM
#6
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Originally Posted by negcamber,Dec 21 2008, 11:22 PM
Yes weather conditions impact engine performance. The more dense the air, the more hp the engine will produce. Higher air density = colder air or dryer less humid air or higher barometric pressure or lower altitude. An engine in Death Valley (lowest altitude) in freezing temps with 0% humidity and a high pressure system overhead will put out more hp than the same engine in Denver (high alt) in 100F heat while it's raining (100% humidity) from a hurricane outside (low pressure).
12-22-2008, 04:53 PM
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Originally Posted by negcamber,Dec 22 2008, 09:34 AM
I always thought it was the "winter blend gasoline" that caused lower gas mileage in winter.
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12-22-2008, 09:57 PM
#10
Originally Posted by negcamber,Dec 21 2008, 09:22 PM
Yes weather conditions impact engine performance. The more dense the air, the more hp the engine will produce. Higher air density = colder air or dryer less humid air or higher barometric pressure or lower altitude. An engine in Death Valley (lowest altitude) in freezing temps with 0% humidity and a high pressure system overhead will put out more hp than the same engine in Denver (high alt) in 100F heat while it's raining (100% humidity) from a hurricane outside (low pressure).
Here is a direct quote from Sport Compact Performance by the Haynes manual's guys: "For every drop of 10-degrees F in the intake air fed to your engine, your power goes up about 1%".
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