fuel mileage drop??

[stolzyboy]

hi,

i have a 2003 trailblazer ext...

 

i've had it for a couple months but over the last month it has dropped a good 4-8 mpg on average

 

driving habits haven't changed, i notice it on the instant mileage, when driving 70 it used to get between 18-20, now it gets anywhere from 12-16...

 

power is the same, sounds fine, did not put anything in it, using same fuel, etc...

 

basically the only thing that changed was the fuel mileage

 

what would cause such a drastic change like that?

 

thanks,

stolzyboy

[Impalacat]

hi,

i have a 2003 trailblazer ext...

 

i've had it for a couple months but over the last month it has dropped a good 4-8 mpg on average

 

driving habits haven't changed, i notice it on the instant mileage, when driving 70 it used to get between 18-20, now it gets anywhere from 12-16...

 

power is the same, sounds fine, did not put anything in it, using same fuel, etc...

 

basically the only thing that changed was the fuel mileage

 

what would cause such a drastic change like that?

 

thanks,

stolzyboy

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Maybe it's the winter fuel blend, mine has gone down a litlle in the last month or so also

[stolzyboy]

i don't think the blend really changes that much in gasoline... and i'm pretty sure it wont' drop THAT much if it would ;)

[michigan2500hd]

i don't think the blend really changes that much in gasoline... and i'm pretty sure it wont' drop THAT much if it would ;)

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I am really starting to hate the winter fuel. My mpg has gone from the mid 17's to the mid 13's. Happens every winter on the last 3 trucks i have owned. Dont know why they change the fuel but i am sure its not needed.

[cerbomark]

you really can t go by the instant reading, if the grade on the road is different it will change the instant reading.(or the wind etc...)

[stolzyboy]

you really can t go by the instant reading,  if the grade on the road is different it will change the instant reading.(or the wind etc...)

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

i'm pretty sure i can ;)

 

i live in fargo, north dakota, one of THE FLATTEST areas of the nation... put it this way, the biggest hills we have are interstate overpasses and i'm not exaggerating ONE bit!

 

no road grade issues here and yeah, i've taken into account the wind as well, i've tried to take any variable out of the equation so i'm just down to the vehicle itself, or anything it relies on

 

has anyone else notice "winter fuel" being worse on fuel mileage?

[03TRAILEXT]

E85 has been added to all fuel in the past 12 months. You are now running 10% E, if you like it or not. You will loose mileage. Not all stations/states have it yet, but it is mandated by 2008.

 

So look at the pump, it will tell you if an alcohol fuel has been added.

[stolzyboy]

i use premium BP gas like usual... only the lower two grades (at the moment) have ethanol added...

 

like i said, i've taken all variables out of the equation, aside from "something" wrong with the vehicle, tho no codes are thrown and nothing seems wrong as far as power/etc...

 

i'd really like to hear some backed up information on "winter fuel" if anyone has any links anywhere to point me too

 

thanks so far all!

 

stolzyboy

[jjrobo]

Winter fuel has a different effect on individual vehicles. I lost 1-2 mpg in my truck with a 5.3. My wife lost 3-4 mpg in her trail blazer with a I-6.

[Impalacat]

Winter fuel has a different effect on individual vehicles. I lost 1-2 mpg in my truck with a 5.3. My wife lost 3-4 mpg in her trail blazer with a I-6.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Bingo! my milage has gone down every winter for 10 or so years. My 5.3 and T.B. have had the same effects that jjrobo is talking about,I don't know what state you live in, but here in Ca. it happens every winter.

[stolzyboy]

Winter fuel has a different effect on individual vehicles. I lost 1-2 mpg in my truck with a 5.3. My wife lost 3-4 mpg in her trail blazer with a I-6.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Bingo! my milage has gone down every winter for 10 or so years. My 5.3 and T.B. have had the same effects that jjrobo is talking about,I don't know what state you live in, but here in Ca. it happens every winter.

 

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i live in Fargo, ND, notable one of the coldest cities statistically in the nation

 

it's abnormally warm this year, but we are used to getting -20F to -50F in january/february