Why does my car have such a big drop-off in fuel mileage during the winter?
In the summer, I was getting almost 30 miles per gallon. Since winter, I am getting 23 miles per gallon. Is this typical, or is there actually something wrong with my car? Q. I’ve owned my 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid for a year now. In the summer, I was getting almost 30 miles per gallon. Since winter, I am getting 23 miles per gallon. I expected a drop-off in fuel mileage in cold weather, but I am surprised by the amount. I previously owned a Prius and don’t remember a 20 percent decrease in mileage during the winter. Is this typical, or is there actually something wrong with my car?
A. You are correct that it’s not unusual to see a slight drop in fuel economy in cold weather due to the chemical makeup of winter gasoline and extended warm-up time periods. The typical decrease number is about 5-10 percent. As the hybrid Escape starts to age, the most common issue is not the engine, but more to do with the brakes. I’ve seen many cases where the rear brakes in some Escape models start to drag over time. Dragging brakes can have a significant impact on overall fuel economy. Mechanics should certainly take a look at the overall engine performance, but they should make sure to check the basics like brakes and other items that would rob mileage.
John Paul is AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor. He has over 40 years of experience in the automotive business and is an ASE certified master technician. Email your car question to [email protected].
