Increased use of petrol/winter fuel

Kitty777

Hello,

First of all, please excuse my anxious rant. It is what I do best

I have a 51 plate corsa, 1.2L which is in acceptable condition.

It is my second winter with the car, but the first one I didn't take much notice on the fuel. I have realized in the past 2 weeks, I am using a bit more fuel than usual with no changes in my driving style.

I do only short journeys, probably between 2-10miles each time and longer journeys about once a month. My predications are that I will lose about 60 miles or so this month...is this acceptable and normal?

I have recently had two new front tyres, and my back ones were done last year (about 2,000 miles on them). But I have recently had trouble with my starter motor sticking on start up now and again (however my partner says it isn't connected).

Does anyone here notice an increased in fuel consumption? I know it happens, but it just seems alot to me.

RichardD1970

OP, yes it is quite usual to see a drop in MPG when it is colder, especially if doing short journeys as the engine doesn't have time to warm up properly and run at full efficiently.

Kitty777

Battery is about 10months old, but I will check it. I always keep an eye on my oil every week anyway thank you

I always do just drive it away...never thought of doing anything else.
Oh the joys of winter!

JustinR1979

More lights, heaters, defrosters, longer to get up to temp and into closed loop.
I don't use heaters until coolant is up to temp, whack them on when cold and it can take a lot longer to get up to temp, if at all on miles you do.
The cold really hits my mpg on my diesel, even though it doesn't take much longer to get to temp.
I'd give engine 30-60 seconds before moving off, I know they say drive off straight away, but at least let the oil get round.
I wouldn't jump out of bed the second I woke up, have to come round a bit.


Unless battery is older than you I doubt it has a checkable level.

Kitty777

Tyre pressures are fine, I had my front tyres changed at start of the month and had them checked then (saved me 20p at a garage lol )

Can you not check the power of a battery somehow? Anyway, I assume of the age of it, it is fine. If not, it is under warranty for 5 years.

JustinR1979

Kitty777 wrote: »

Tyre pressures are fine, I had my front tyres changed at start of the month and had them checked then (saved me 20p at a garage lol )

Can you not check the power of a battery somehow? Anyway, I assume of the age of it, it is fine. If not, it is under warranty for 5 years.

If it starts the car it has enough power

Kitty777

It starts everytime!!

Like I said, the starter motor has been sticking now and again (a scraping noise on startup) and it is on my to do list...but the battery is fine

JustinR1979

It's a light car, easy enough to bump start

Kitty777

JustinR1979 wrote: »

It's a light car, easy enough to bump start

the car is very light yes...but so am I :P I couldn't even push a smart car let alone a corsa :P

JustinR1979

Whenever I've had starter issues I've parked on a slope....

Kitty777

JustinR1979 wrote: »

Whenever I've had starter issues I've parked on a slope....

Good idea, will keep that in mind