Winter season is here and temperatures are set to drop into the extreme category. This comes after the India Meteorological Department issued a cold wave alert on December 9. With even colder mornings on the horizon, some car users are bound to experience sluggish startups and other performance-related issues with their vehicles. A common pain point is owners noticing a significant drop in mileage during the winter-time. Here's what can lead to this effect in your car and what are the best driving practices that you can follow.
Cold temperatures affect several aspects of vehicle performance, leading to decreased fuel efficiency. However, the primary reason for the drop in a vehicle's mileage during cold weather is the thickening of the engine
oil. When temperatures drop, a car or a two-wheeler's engine oil can become denser. This leads to increased friction within the engine that results in lower fuel efficiency. This is because the additional resistance requires more effort from the engine and more fuel to maintain the optimum performance. Another contributing factor is the use of the vehicle's heater or defogger system during the winter months. This puts an extra load on the vehicle's engine that also directly affects the mileage figures.
Bonus Tip:
An easily overlooked factor is having the correct tyre pressure. The amount of air you have inside the tyres also plays a significant role in how efficiently a vehicle operates. Moreover, cold temperatures can lead to a vehicle's tyres losing pressure prematurely. Under-inflated tyres can lead to increased rolling resistance, which again makes the engine work harder and consume more fuel. This is a vital part of year-round car care that many car owners end up overlooking.
Other steps that one can incorporate in their daily driving include reducing idling time and maintaining steady speeds and planning routes to avoid unnecessary stops. These simple driving habits can also lead to improved fuel efficiency. Overall, regular maintenance, switching to winter-specific engine oil and ensuring proper tyre inflation are crucial steps to make the most out of your drives during colder months.
Keep reading Times Now Auto for more relevant car care tips and improve your driving habits.
