Winter mileage

I hear ya, kinda . . . not today but the 3 days be for it was in the 50 in the am and it dropped mine as well. 65 as to 75 mpg, we will just have to work it harder to keep the mpg's up. While i know its going to suck here in Il when it gets below 0 in the winter, what is really going to suck is next winter. As it gets colder this year my engine will be getting broken in so it is not going seem as bad. In the spring and summer next year im hoping to start seeing 90's so next winter is not going to be fun. . .

FYI I bet you if you got a block heater you would be the only person in Vagas with one so thats cool

 

I agree that you will probably be the only person with a block heater in all of Nevada. When this thread was created I half expected the person posting to drive in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, or South Dakota where winters are actually cold, but low 50's I do not think that you will see much of a decrease in MPG's. I am curious how the MPG's will be in North Dakota with someone driving the car when its -15 to -20 in the morning (3 months out of the year , it will "warm up" to a balmy -10 midday). Enjoy driving your Prius C, I am envious.

 

I lived for 14 years in Elko NV, it snows in 10 months of the year and gets to -40 degrees (at -40 you do not need to explain what scale you are using) By no means is it the coldest place in NV. (Nevada is Spanish for snowy or snow-covered, Las Vegas is the exception, not the rule)




Bismarck ND spends MORE time at -40 and has a very similar snow season:

 

And then there is winter blend fuel...... And rain.... So yeah, you'll lose mpg in the winter. It sucks but it makes you really appreciate your spring and late summer mpg!

 

At lest it won't be like 100 degrees in the car

 

100 degrees? I've seen seat temps of 160 here in Phoenix

 

While it may not be as hot in Chicago it still gets pretty worm. Especially when I don't ever use my air conditioner.

 

it'll be - 20 anyday now here in north dakota.....I got a block heater...thats it....what else?

 

Nice to see your research. It is true that the snowfall may be similar however it seems that the snow lasts in ND for 5-6 months out of the year (because it doesn't warm up enough to melt). I was surprised to see a place in Nevada that gets at least somewhat similar winter temps, however it should be noted on both sets of data that the record lows were being compared. There are places in Nevada where towns are in the mountains I'm sure, and that elevation can create low figures. Still floored that a place in Nevada can get to -40. What creates that temperature? Is it still surrounded by desert therefore cant retain heat? Also, how much wind is there, or is the cold just straight cold without windchill (which can drive the numbers down significantly)? I apologize if anything I stated in in this post or previous post offended anyone from Nevada. I realize too that these posts are not exactly related to the OP, but if someone down the line will post MPG figures when temps are down to -20, I would be grateful.

 

Yeah, 50 MPG is still stellar compared to the average car. Sorry if my post came off as confrontational. I believe that block heaters are mainly used in situations where the temperatures are so cold that the car will not start otherwise. Not sure if they can be used to boost MPG, worth a shot. I personally do not have one so I have no reference (fortunately my car starts up no matter how cold it is outside, love corollas ).

 

I'm not an expert but based off my first winter with my 2000 honda accord.

It keeps the oil from getting cold. SO when you start your car it comes on right away with no wear and tear sounds or longer start ups.

on the days I didn't use the block heater my car would take a few seconds more to start up and when it ran it made loud sounds and super poor gas millage.

I expect the same for any car..so I got one for my prius.

 

anymore winter advice for the prius C? I saw in the main forum people blocking the front grill??

 

The snow that falls in November melts in April, yes.

Elko is at 5000 feet, but nestled in mountains to 11,000 feet

Ruby Mountains - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Carlin Unconformity - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Most of Nevada west of Elko is blocked from Pacific precipitation by the Sierra Nevada. (Spanish for Snowy Mountains)
Elko is far enough east that it get some rain from over the Cascades or south of the Sierras, so is comparatively rainy (10 inches a year) Winnemucca has 8 inches. Annual Rainfall for Lovelock NV is 5 inches.
High desert areas typically have the greatest diurnal temperature variations.
Weather Variety - Diurnal Temperature Variation
rates Elko 8th in the US in record temp swings in one day, many of the top ten are in NV, or CA, right on the NV border.

 

Ah.....Fall. I'm noticing the change in mpg now too. I have such a short commute between work and home (5 miles) so about the time The Cheetoh is warmed up, I'm there. I was rather effortlessly getting 55 mpg when it was warmer and warmish in the morning; now I have to be pretty conscientious to get 50.

Have to admit though, it's rather amusing to be feeling any disappointment at "only" 48-50 mpg ;-)