High idle revs in cold weather

- Z
- zippy
  
  Contact options for registered users
posted
20 years ago

Fri, Jan 23, 2004 8:34 PM

Hi all.

I have a 92 Tracker, and since the really cold weather arrived a few weeks ago, it has been revving very high (around 2500 RPM as opposed to around 1000 RPM usually) when I first start the vehicle. The high revs continues for some time afterwards, the colder it is the longer it seems to last. Any ideas as to why and how I can correct it?

I have also found my gas mileage has dropped significantly (around 15% less than I got before the cold snap) in the same period .

What could cause this to happen? Could the two be related? Any help greatly appreciated. Ian

- R
- Rex
  
  Contact options for registered users
Vote on answer
posted
20 years ago

Fri, Jan 23, 2004 8:37 PM

I think it's normal due to the weather... The car will idle high until it warms up and then it goes down to normal.

- W
- WhyDoYouAsk
  
  Contact options for registered users
Vote on answer
posted
20 years ago

Sat, Jan 24, 2004 1:37 AM

cold weather also kills your mileage

- C
- Clem
  
  Contact options for registered users
Vote on answer
posted
20 years ago

Sat, Jan 24, 2004 11:14 PM

For more than one reason. Gasoline in the winter is a different formulation than summer gasoline. I believe alcohols are added to help emissions and cold starts. Alcohol will give you fewer BTU's per unit than gasoline. So you'll get worse mileage.

Plus it takes the engine longer to warm up out of open loop mode when it's cold. And when it does go to closed loop it has to put in extra fuel for the denser cooler air to burn properly.