CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) If you've noticed you're not getting as good gas mileage as you usually do, you're probably not alone.
When the weather gets this cold it can cause your car to operate less efficiently. In these temperatures, it can take up to 15 minutes of driving before your car reaches its ideal operating temperature.
When you drive short distances it’s harder to reach that temperature and that can reduce your fuel economy.
Ed Malikowski of Mal Bros. Auto Body told 22News, “The short little trips 3, 4, 5 mile the engine’s not even at operating temperature your barely getting heat inside the car. You probably have a cold soaked car when you get to where you are so it’s just naturally going to eat up more fuel.”
Your car will get better gas mileage if you drive longer distances because it will have time to warm up and it will stay warm longer. You should also check your tire pressure. For every 10 degrees below freezing, your tire pressure can fall one to two PSI.