Thread: Cold Air = Lean?

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  1. #1 Cold Air = Lean? 
    I live here. SlowNA06's Avatar
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    Went down from PA to NC for Thanksgiving. Took the gtp. It runs pretty rich. Averaged like 25mpg on the way down. Here's the results on the drive back, when it was much colder. Reset everything with gas fill.


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  2. #2 Re: Cold Air = Lean? 
    DUI BABY Bio248's Avatar
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    yes, cold air means the car will run leaner. colder air is more dense, therefore youll be getting more air per fuel charge. that is why normally you should retune a car that is running on the ragged edge of blowing up for winter because otherwise you will blow it up.
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  3. #3 Re: Cold Air = Lean? 
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    Doesn't the 02 sensor feedback system prevent this?
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  4. #4 Re: Cold Air = Lean? 
    DUI BABY Bio248's Avatar
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    yes and no.

    the o2 sensor does its job to up fueling when it notices that the AFR is high.

    however, the colder air in this case is increasing timing VIA the IAT sensor which is increasing the possible MPG the car is able to achieve. however, most will see a decrease in mileage in winter for a few different reasons (winter blend gas, longer warm up cycles, more idling time, etc).
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  5. #5 Re: Cold Air = Lean? 
    SE Level Member Gorecki's Avatar
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    Please step on my toes if you don't agree but one thing that factors in often the sensors don't handle well is humidity variations. Over all an engine will produce less power with higher water content in the fuel/air mixture, regardless of temperature, the *effect* still occurs. As the PCM fights to make adjustments to compensate for many changes in altitude and air intake for mixture, listening to knock sensors for timing adjustments, water content and changing especially while traveling distances just throws a curveball to the whole process.
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  6. #6 Re: Cold Air = Lean? 
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    I agree, but I think that in the end that this is all academic.

    You can't control humidity, water content of the gas, ambient temperature etc. What you can control is your driving habits and the mechanical operation of your engine (i.e. make sure it's operating correctly etc).

    Both trivialize the remainder of the variables in the equation of fuel mileage.

    Another thing: the DIC mileage on my GTP is a joke (fwiw). It's lucky to be within 20% for real accuracy.
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  7. #7 Re: Cold Air = Lean? 
    I live here. SlowNA06's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by SJAndrew View Post
    Another thing: the DIC mileage on my GTP is a joke (fwiw). It's lucky to be within 20% for real accuracy.
    This one's 99% accurate - checked many times.
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