Does cold temperature impact the mpg?

[Shreddy027]

I live in Chicago and have been driving my maverick for a month. I have an XLT hybrid with Luxury package and put close to 3000 miles already (70%highway/30% local). I drive moderately and highway speed averages 65-75 and local in speed limits 35-45. So far my average mpg is about 30. I am seeing posts showing average mpg at 35+ and I am curious what are the weather conditions or any other conditions impacting the mileage. I have been driving in default drive mode(normal) and weather has been in 20-30's past month.

Just for a reference, I have an Accord 2.0t and I average between 30-35 under any weather conditions and I drive in the economy mode mostly. (I know this is like apple to oranges comparison, just wanted to use this as a reference to show my moderate style driving)

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[Snax]

Yes, cold temperatures reduce hybrid mileage, for a few reasons:

1. The gas engine will run more to make heat for the cabin.
2. The traction battery is less efficient when cold.
3. A cold drivetrain has more friction.
4. Tires are less pliable when cold.

Here's a good link for more details:
Fuel Economy in Cold Weather

Edit: If this is your first hybrid, activate the driving coach to help you optimize your braking for maximum regeneration. It's a very useful tool, even for someone like me who is used to driving an EV.

 

[jsus]

Cold weather negatively impacts energy efficiency of all vehicles - gas, hybrid, or electric, such as for the reasons stated above.

 

[Shreddy027]

Cold weather negatively impacts energy efficiency of all vehicles - gas, hybrid, or electric, such as for the reasons stated above.

I don't see such huge variation in mpg on my Accord, meaning I get similar mileage regardless of the outside temperature

 

[Shreddy027]

Yes, cold temperatures reduce hybrid mileage, for a few reasons:

1. The gas engine will run more to make heat for the cabin.
2. The traction battery is less efficient when cold.
3. A cold drivetrain has more friction.
4. Tires are less pliable when cold.

Here's a good link for more details:
Fuel Economy in Cold Weather

Edit: If this is your first hybrid, activate the driving coach to help you optimize your braking for maximum regeneration. It's a very useful tool, even for someone like me who is used to driving an EV.

Thank you for the details.

This is my first EV, still working on understanding the driving coach.

 

[Snax]

I don't see such huge variation in mpg on my Accord, meaning I get similar mileage regardless of the outside temperature

You will see more difference with hybrids and EVs than you will with all-gas engines.

 

[bombast]

Yes, but that seems excessively bad.

 

[Snax]

Thank you for the details.

This is my first EV, still working on understanding the driving coach.

Technically, the hybrid Maverick isn't an EV--it's a hybrid. That said, there are some similarities. The biggest fuel efficiency gain with hybrid vehicles is learning to brake carefully to recapture all of the energy possible. Basically, if you can get the driving coach to hit 100%, you're off to a good start. Eco mode cranks up the regen a bit, which will help.

 

[Shreddy027]

Technically, the hybrid Maverick isn't an EV--it's a hybrid. That said, there are some similarities. The biggest fuel efficiency gain with hybrid vehicles is learning to brake carefully to recapture all of the energy possible. Basically, if you can get the driving coach to hit 100%, you're off to a good start.

I haven't focused much on the driving coach, I will review videos to understand to use it better. Thank you!

 

[pnorwood54]

also highway mpg is a lot less

 

[Snax]

Yes, but that seems excessively bad.

Agreed. But really cold temps, snowy roads, and poor braking optimization could definitely explain it. Not to mention that Chicago is WINDY!

 

[Spotdog]

Thank you for the details.

This is my first EV, still working on understanding the driving coach.

Just purchased my 2023 Maverick XLT w/luxury Package, Black Appearance Package. I also own a 2013 Toyota Prius Two. The first two trips I took (total of about 200 miles) I averaged 39mpg, mostly Hwy miles, temperatures in the 50's. This past week I put on about 500 miles, temperatures below freezing, and I'm averaging 32mpg, 75/25 hwy/city. My city gas mileage isn't good at all, often times getting less than 30mpg on 3-5 mile trips in town.

For comparison, over the past two years, I've driven my Prius a total of 62,000 miles, mostly hwy, and averaged 46mpg overall. When temperatures are above 50 degrees I'm easily averaging 50mpg, when temps are below 32 degrees I routinely get 40-42mpg. Driving south and east I usually get better MPG, North and West MPG drops.

I think it's normal for MPG to drop during the cold weather. The hybrid motor takes a lot longer to get warmed up so you lose MPG's in town (if you live in town) running more on gas while the system warms up instead of running on battery which gets you the higher MPG's. Friction increases in cold systems as well and tires tend to lose a little air when cold, causing even more friction.

 

[IndyHavoc]

Yeah, either something is wrong with your Mav...or you drive like Andretti. Definitely turn on the brake coach and set the MyView to the "coach" or whatever that screen is (really needs a refresh, it's horrible). Much more lift and coast to a stop. Much more slow acceleration whenever appropriate. I'm no grandpa of a driver and see 45-50 anytime I'm driving significant amounts in town (so, speeds staying under 45mph). If you're saying "City" driving, meaning stop-go quickly to 65mph, stop, go quickly to 65mph, stop (chicago highways)...yeah, that'll get ya shitty gas mileage in just about anything.

 

[sprubs]

It's cold here and I do mostly shorter trips of 5-10 miles. I just filled up and hand calculated 37.5 MPG. Not bad considering I hardly get the engine warmed up half the time.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

Use the EV coach. Try to keep the bar graph in the blue and in the green.
I use it and my lifetime calculated mileage is 40.

Using the heater, of course, decreases your mileage, as does warming up the truck. All of that requires the gasoline engine to run to produce waste heat for the cab.

When you run the AC in summer, that also reduces your mileage because the AC is electric. Running it requires the gas engine to run more frequently to keep the battery charged. But your mileage drop will be more in winter, running the heater.

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