Tired Tess
Well-Known Member
I'm so ready to wrap it up.
Joined: Jan 16, 2011 8:47:41 GMT -5
Posts: 1,313
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Post by Tired Tess on Jan 19, 2012 19:37:23 GMT -5
Does turning on the heat in the car make you use more gas? I thought the heat came from the motor that warms up as you drive.
You're right. I know NOTHING about cars, but this question pops up once in a while. Some people I know don't put the heat on in their car when they are low on gas.
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kent
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 16:13:46 GMT -5
Posts: 3,594 
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Post by kent on Jan 20, 2012 16:50:37 GMT -5
Does turning on the heat in the car make you use more gas? I thought the heat came from the motor that warms up as you drive. You're right. I know NOTHING about cars, but this question pops up once in a while. Some people I know don't put the heat on in their car when they are low on gas. Crank up the heat, the motor is always producing heat weather the heater is on or not, you might as well benefit from it Not meaning to hijack the thread Rick but.....speaking of heaters, would you mind swinging by my place and replacing my heater core? <<didn't think so>> ;D |
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tskeeter
Junior Associate
Joined: Mar 20, 2011 19:37:45 GMT -5
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Post by tskeeter on Jan 20, 2012 18:03:46 GMT -5
Car motors generate more heat than they need to operate efficiently. That's why your car has a cooling system. When your car motor has more heat than it needs, the thermostat opens and allows coolant from the engine block to circulate through the radiator. Hot coolant is usually supplied to the passenger compartment heating system by the water pump. Since water pumps are usually driven by a belt running off the car motor, the water pump is operating any time the motor is running. Shutting off the heater doesn't turn off the water pump, it only closes a damper in the duct work to keep air from flowing across the heater core or closes a valve to shut off the flow of hot coolant to the heater. Since the water pump still operating, you don't save any gas by shutting off the heater.
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mtman
Familiar Member
Banned 01.20.14
Joined: Oct 29, 2011 9:53:04 GMT -5
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Post by mtman on Jan 20, 2012 19:15:08 GMT -5
There would be a slight drag on the engine because the heater fan is electric powered and the alternator in your car would have to produce a little more electricity.....The more electricity they produce, the harder they turn, hence a little more drag on the engine.....I really doubt that you could tell the difference without sophisticated measuring equipment......But yes, with proper measuring equipment, you could prove that running the heater does use more fuel than not using it
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suek1958
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 8, 2011 22:44:25 GMT -5
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Post by suek1958 on Jan 20, 2012 20:59:08 GMT -5
HI guys. I've been wondering the same thing... so why does my car get worse gas mileage in winter?
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suek1958
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 8, 2011 22:44:25 GMT -5
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Post by suek1958 on Jan 21, 2012 13:32:51 GMT -5
Oh, I see. Thanks, Rick!
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tskeeter
Junior Associate
Joined: Mar 20, 2011 19:37:45 GMT -5
Posts: 6,831
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Post by tskeeter on Jan 22, 2012 13:26:32 GMT -5
In many parts of the country the blend of regular gas used in the winter time (oxygenated gas) contains about 15% alcohol in order to reduce auto emissions. Since alcohol is a less efficient motor fuel than gasoline (fewer BTUs per gallon), gas mileage during the winter is likely to suffer. When I have tracked the mileage I got on a four cylinder, two liter engine, the oxygenated gas gave about 2 MPG less than regular gasoline, or about a 10% reduction in gas mileage. Then add the factors that Rick discussed, too.
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