OTA Updates causing mileage reductions?

[DanoW]

Hey all, I've had my 2024 Lariat Hybrid since 06/2024 and original owner. I have 8,000 miles on it, drive 13 miles roundtrip for work, and make some 100 mile trips on a few weekends during the year. My lifetime mileage performance through 7,500 miles was 37.6 mpg. Then over the last 500 miles or so, the last couple of months, my lifetime mileage had dropped to 35.8 mpg. Losing almost 2 mpg over 8,000 miles in the last 500 miles seems pretty dramatic. Was there an Over-The-Air (OTA) change sent that would cause such a change? I haven't changed my driving style or the route I take to and from work, or carrying a load. A bit mind-boggling to me. Anybody have other thoughts? Thanks in advance.
Dan

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[gzebrick]

With the cold weather your tire pressure will drop. Perhaps they’re much lower now.

 

[ThisWas]

My arithmetic indicates you used 199 gallons of gas to drive 7500 miles and 24 gallons to drive the next 500 miles, resulting in a drop from 37.6 mpg to 20.8 mpg.

Either my spreadsheet formulas are wrong, your data is wrong, or your neighbor is siphoning gas while you sleep.

 

[Chops]

If OTA updates cause a drop in measured mpg - I would guess they’re more accurate now

Track a couple tanks yourself to see the real numbers…

If your real mpg has been dropping - I’ll add “check for a dirty air filter” to the list of several things that can reduce mpg.

 

[bgn]

2022-2024 model years require a visit to the dealer or a visit from one of their mobile mechanics. The only thing you can update is the infotainment.

2 mpg is a rounding error when you consider change in driving habits, traffic, and temps.

 

[DanoW]

My arithmetic indicates you used 199 gallons of gas to drive 7500 miles and 24 gallons to drive the next 500 miles, resulting in a drop from 37.6 mpg to 20.8 mpg.

Either my spreadsheet formulas are wrong, your data is wrong, or your neighbor is siphoning gas while you sleep.

Yup, your math looks right, and I haven't changed my driving habits - easy acceleration, cruise when I can, hit the mode 4 times to eco, etc. I go to work and come home when there's no stop and go. I've noticed my trip mileage is all of a sudden half of what it was, including the amount of electric miles.

 

[DanoW]

2022-2024 model years require a visit to the dealer or a visit from one of their mobile mechanics. The only thing you can update is the infotainment.

2 mpg is a rounding error when you consider change in driving habits, traffic, and temps.

No change in driving habits - old guy. Temps are pretty moderate - a few minutes North of Seattle. No stop and go at the times I go to and return from work. I'll look at the filters.

 

[DanoW]

If OTA updates cause a drop in measured mpg - I would guess they’re more accurate now

Track a couple tanks yourself to see the real numbers…

If your real mpg has been dropping - I’ll add “check for a dirty air filter” to the list of several things that can reduce mpg.

Good advice. I'll check the filters. Thanks.

 

[DanoW]

With the cold weather your tire pressure will drop. Perhaps they’re much lower now.

And one more thing, this is the third winter I've had my F050 QUAKE. Last year around here was extremely cold for the Seattle/Everett area and I recall a tenth or two reduction in mileage, but nothing like this. Otherwise I wouldn't bother with the thread.

 

[ThisWas]

Are all four brake discs smooth and shiny? Any abnormal wear on the rear pads? I'm wondering if the emergency brake is dragging.

In the old days I'd suspect carburetor, plugs, distributor, etc but with modern systems I think you'd get a Check Engine Light if anything was amiss under the hood.

 

[scharris99]

I would think that anyone who has tracked fuel mileage through an entire year before has noticed the 1+ MPG drop when they switch to cold weather fuel blends, unless you live in Florida.

 

[garyp]

We notice a drop every winter when Washington changes to the winter blend, they call it, usually 2-3 mpg. That’s on all my vehicles. Claim it reduces emissions, but, if you’re burning more fuel then those extra gallons are putting out more emissions it seems to me.

 

[icegradner]

No change in driving habits - old guy. Temps are pretty moderate - a few minutes North of Seattle. No stop and go at the times I go to and return from work. I'll look at the filters.

The switch from summer to winter gas hits the MPG, along with cooler weather, just a hint from a neighbour not far north in Vancouver. I don’t know about the Seattle area, but even just the nonstop rain for past month hurts MPG, due to reduced traction on acceleration. My MPGs dropped from the mid-40s into the high 30s most days for the last month.

 

[HeyBales]

Is the lifetime mileage from a Trip 1 or 2 reading - or a synopsis screen showing lifetime?

I thought the synopsis screen wasn't actually looking back over the past lifetime miles, but rather the last big chunk of miles.

Could that be the issue?

 

[SafetyGuy]

We notice a drop every winter when Washington changes to the winter blend, they call it, usually 2-3 mpg. That’s on all my vehicles. Claim it reduces emissions, but, if you’re burning more fuel then those extra gallons are putting out more emissions it seems to me.

Good day @garyp

I know the general answer and reasons off the top of my head as to the difference, but I find it better to include a good reference.

I hope this clears up the difference between summer and winter fuel blends, as well as why.

Have a good one,

Andy

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