SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/cars-cold-weather-mpg

In city driving at 20°F, about how much lower is a gas car's mileage than on a 77°F day?

About 15% lower, and up to 24% on short trips.

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  1. No change, gas is gas
  2. About 15% lower ✔
  3. About 60% lower

Why: Cold engines, thick fluids and denser air all cost fuel. Government tests show a gas car's city mileage is roughly 15% lower at 20°F. Short 3 to 4 mile trips are hit hardest.

Huh, didn't know that: Hybrids lose even more in the cold, about 30% to 34% in the same tests.

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Why did the car sit in the sun? To get a little heat wave!
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References

Answer: About 15% lower. Cold engines, thick fluids and denser air all cost fuel. Government tests show a gas car's city mileage is roughly 15% lower at 20°F. Short 3 to 4 mile trips are hit hardest.

  1. Fuel Economy in Cold Weather (fueleconomy.gov, US DOE) www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/coldweather.shtml
    a conventional gasoline car's gas mileage is roughly 15% lower at 20°F than it would be at 77°F
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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