As many have noted, temps above 40F or so really improve MPG

[Prickly Pear]

What kills my MPG in cold weather is short hops with a bunch of stops long enough for the engine to cool down. If I can get back to the truck before the temp drops too much I can still get pretty decent mileage in the winter. I do use my heated seats and steering wheel to keep warm!

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[Toymaster]

Did my usual weekly commute to my home last night. Usually can do from my work location to my door on one tank, temps were between 12-19F the whole way, patchy snow, litte to no wind. I used 1 & 3/4 tanks of fuel. Just sayin' cold affects these little Mavs.

 

[ABTremor]

It's not so much the temperature, it's the fact that colder air (as in winter) is denser.

Dense, cold air increases the mass of oxygen available in a given volume, directly impacting the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio by requiring more fuel to maintain the ideal balance for complete combustion

This is why all internal combustion engines will have lower fuel economy in the cold. However, a potential benefit of the colder, denser air is more power per combustion cycle

 

[Riley1955]

On my 2026 XL Hybrid AWD I just picked up on 2/11/26 I am getting around 24 to 27 in town.
And yes I do know how to drive a hybrid my last 2 vehicles were Toyota hybrids.
But obviously since it's brand new and it's still winter here in Illinois it's probably all I can hope for right now.
And it probably wont be till around what 4,000 or so miles before everything breaks in before I get my best MPG's.

 

[Quest]

Winter fuel has less BTU's in it & the cold weather makes warm up times longer, both killers of fuel economy

 

[Carlitos_92]

It's not so much the temperature, it's the fact that colder air (as in winter) is denser.

Dense, cold air increases the mass of oxygen available in a given volume, directly impacting the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio by requiring more fuel to maintain the ideal balance for complete combustion

This is why all internal combustion engines will have lower fuel economy in the cold. However, a potential benefit of the colder, denser air is more power per combustion cycle

The hybrids, like the OP has, have an additional wrinkle that has been reported around the forum for years: in order to provide cabin heat, the engine has to run more often than it might normally.

 

[Cherokee]

Ecoboost my drive to work (17 mi) In summer I get 35-37 mpg.
it’s been 15-30 degrees roughly on average, and I’ve been getting 30 mpg +/- 2

My also 17 mile each way commute to work in my Ecoboost in my mountains gives me
28 mpg in the summer.

In the winter 27, very consistent.
I run Non ethanol year around because my Engine likes it.
Winter interstate runs I get 29 mpg,
Summer interstate I get 31 mpg.

I get a bit less in winter I think because of my longer warm ups.

My engine likes 75-85 mph the most.
Seems when I’m in the turbo my engine is happier.

 

[Quest]

It's not so much the temperature, it's the fact that colder air (as in winter) is denser.

Dense, cold air increases the mass of oxygen available in a given volume, directly impacting the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio by requiring more fuel to maintain the ideal balance for complete combustion

This is why all internal combustion engines will have lower fuel economy in the cold. However, a potential benefit of the colder, denser air is more power per combustion cycle

That may be true for a carbureted engine but with EFI the PCM will adjust the fuel trims very quickly using the wideband O2 sensor feedback

 

[ABTremor]

That may be true for a carbureted engine but with EFI the PCM will adjust the fuel trims very quickly using the wideband O2 sensor feedback

Yes, the computers will make the adjustments by adding additional fuel or reducing the throttle body opening, thereby reducing O2 availability (which both effectively lead to using more fuel) to maintain the proper ratio.

 

[Master Blaster]

That may be true for a carbureted engine but with EFI the PCM will adjust the fuel trims very quickly using the wideband O2 sensor feedback

While the fuel-air mix will be corrected for the denser air mix, the mileage will go down as the power goes up. Most owners will not be using a lighter throttle in colder air. In fact in colder air the tendency is to use even more throttle to compensate for the increased rolling resistance, the decreased energy available from winter gas, the thicker lubrication and the increased air resistance.

 

[alex lobos]

My also 17 mile each way commute to work in my Ecoboost in my mountains gives me
28 mpg in the summer.

In the winter 27, very consistent.
I run Non ethanol year around because my Engine likes it.
Winter interstate runs I get 29 mpg,
Summer interstate I get 31 mpg.

I get a bit less in winter I think because of my longer warm ups.

My engine likes 75-85 mph the most.
Seems when I’m in the turbo my engine is happier.

I wish I could get non ethanol cheap here 🫤

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

I wish I could get non ethanol cheap here 🫤

I have 2 gas stations about 20 minutes from My house that sells non ethanol gas but it's only 91 octane and I can buy 93 octane with ethanol for like 20 cents a gallon less than the 91 non ethanol gas!!

 

[Master Blaster]

I have 2 gas stations about 20 minutes from My house that sells non ethanol gas but it's only 91 octane and I can buy 93 octane with ethanol for like 20 cents a gallon less than the 91 non ethanol gas!!

Why do you need high octane for an engine that is built to run 87 and costs 25% less? And the no-corn fuel is not TopTier and will carbon up your intake valves and injectors, so that also makes no sense.

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

Why do you need high octane for an engine that is built to run 87 and costs 25% less? And the no-corn fuel is not TopTier and will carbon up your intake valves and injectors, so that also makes no sense.

How many times have we been over this? The 250 HP and 277 lb.ft. torque ratings are on what octane fuel? Hint it's not on 87 octane and 93 octane is better for Turbo Engines and 91 octane is the non ethanol fuel and is more money!! Regular 91 is not offered Here in Northeast, Ohio only 87,89 or 93 octane!! July 2019 Car & Driver 2019 F-150 Limited 3.5 HO Eco Boost Min 87 Octane 360 RWHP and 463 lb.ft of Rear Wheel Torque 93 Octane 380 RWHP and 475 lb.ft of Rear Wheel Torwue!!

 

[Timothyd]

This week the temperatures here in Philly have been in the 45-50F range. Now averaging 39-41 mpg consistently (instead of 33-35), even with winter-formulated gasoline. This truly makes me smile.

Yes, March is a transition month with ups and downs. In the 40s yesterday with almost 70 today. Out and about my milage was in the 40s mpg today. The end of winter is fine.

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