MPG going down?

[DRFaux]

I drive a 2020 Gladiator Rubicon with about 50K miles ... used to get 16-17 MPG (8-9 MPG when towing my 5000# trailer) ... recently I've noticed a sharp reduction ... in the last 2-3 months its gone down to 13-14 MPG (7 MPG when towing) ... no substantial change in driving habits, no change in tire pressure or engine components, no other changes come to mind that would affect MPG ... I did have a code pop up once or twice related to evap - tightened the gas cap and cleared with my Taser mini ... seems to run fine - no misses or rough engine ... any thoughts?

Sponsored

 

[Jefe1018]

Could be a lot of things… fuel quality issue (we don’t have it but there is winter fuel in some parts) ambient temperature changes, etc. If you have no other drivability concerns I wouldn’t worry too much about it as it should go back to normal. In our unusually hot summers I notice my mpgs drop slightly too.

 

[Gvsukids]

I did have a code pop up once or twice related to evap - tightened the gas cap and cleared with my Taser mini ... seems to run fine - no misses or rough engine ... any thoughts?

Might want to check out the code, but did you tow before during the winter?

 

[toddarama]

are you in a cold weather region? Winter blends tend to have lower MPG outcomes ... this Dept of Energy page gives a brief explanation.

 

[Hootbro]

Another vote for winter gas blend

 

[Gren71]

I loose 2-3mpg every year between winter gas and the cold. I see a noticeable drop below 40d

 

[Jerhemi]

My mpg goes down in the winter. Blame the gas.

 

[DRFaux]

Might want to check out the code, but did you tow before during the winter?

mmm ... yep ... tow summer and winter

 

[DRFaux]

My mpg goes down in the winter. Blame the gas.

hmmm ... couple of others suggested this ... could be ... first noticed int traveling Pittsburgh to Erie, PA in late November ... winter gas? ... never heard of that before ... thanks!

 

[Beewdawg]

Cold dense air working against the brick shaped aerodynamics of the JT may contribute to lower fuel economy.
I know my JT suffers lower than normal mpg's in colder weather.
My 2 cents...

 

[Maximus Gladius]

How’s your blow by? If you were to run your engine (engine warm/hot) then as it’s running, pull off your oil cap, is there a flow of air shooting out the hole? Is it just air? Small steady amount?.. large amount like your hair dryer on high or maybe non at all? (Non at all is best)

If you’ve got air blowing out the oil cap hole then you’d have air blowing through the PCV back into the intake tube/manifold. The air will also take with it oil in a mist form, micro droplets passing through the intake system which will also, by that action, coat the MAF (mass air flow)!sensor which is important for correctly reading oxygen intake then communicate that with the fuel delivery and I think the oxygen sensors also play a part somehow ….but anyway, if the MAF sensor is coated in oil, it can’t communicate the oxygen and it’s role in your efficient running engine, (like it used to be) is compromised and mileage will decrease.

If you’ve never cleaned it, it needs to be taken out and sprayed down with MAF cleaner. Your engine fuel burning system will thank you.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Another vote for winter gas blend

Beat me to it.

Winter gas, plus colder denser air (more drag and wind resistance), cold tires, cold everything. The time-frame fits - last 2-3 months.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Cold dense air working against the brick shaped aerodynamics of the JT may contribute to lower fuel economy.
I know my JT suffers lower than normal mpg's in colder weather.
My 2 cents...

I typically drop a couple mpg in winter.

 

[DCPHOENIX]

I went from being able to hit 21mpg on highways (driving like a grandma) to now being lucky to get 16.5mpg, even with sitting behind trucks some.
Sure going to 35's has something to do with that. But it's also winter which means "bad" fuel and worse drag

 

[Rusty PW]

hmmm ... couple of others suggested this ... could be ... first noticed int traveling Pittsburgh to Erie, PA in late November ... winter gas? ... never heard of that before ... thanks!

I'm just south of you. It's the gas. Winter blend. Some vehicles are more effected by the change than others.

Sponsored