Sylvie Willis
Fuel economy is a topic that has been widely discussed, with many variables affecting the amount of fuel needed to maintain a certain temperature. For example, the ambient temperature can impact the efficiency of a vehicle's fuel economy, with cold weather reducing fuel economy in conventional gasoline vehicles by 10-20% in city driving and 15-33% on short trips. Similarly, the type of vehicle can also influence fuel economy, with hybrids typically experiencing greater reductions in fuel economy in cold weather. Additionally, factors such as driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and the use of accessories can also impact fuel economy. From a fuel distribution perspective, temperature corrections are necessary to account for fluctuations in volume due to temperature changes, ensuring that suppliers and customers receive accurate amounts of fuel.
How much fuel is needed to get temperature
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel economy in cold weather | Fuel economy tests show that a conventional gasoline car's gas mileage is roughly 15% lower at 20°F than at 77°F. |
| Fuel economy loss | Conventional gasoline vehicles suffer a 10-20% fuel economy loss in city driving and a 15-33% loss on short trips. |
| Effect on hybrids | Fuel economy decreases by 20-40% in city driving and 25-45% on short trips. |
| Temperature-compensated pumps | Temperature-compensated pumps became common in Canada in the mid-90s. |
| Fuel temperature correction | OPIS created a methodology that accurately factors in temperature change, resulting in adjustments to the OPIS benchmark rack price. |
| Gross and net amounts | The gross amount of fuel is subject to volume fluctuations due to temperatures, while the net amount is what the customer actually receives. |
| Colder climates | Suppliers are at a disadvantage in colder climates as they deliver more fuel than contracted. |
| Hotter regions | Buyers in hotter regions receive less fuel than contracted. |
| Fuel expansion | Fuel expands in heat and contracts in cold temperatures. |
| Fuel storage temperature | Fuel is typically stored in underground tanks at a fairly constant temperature of around 25°C. |
| Fuel weight calculation | Fuel companies calculate weight as kg/litre at 25°C, as density and volume vary with temperature. |
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What You'll Learn
Fuel temperature correction is used to account for product expansion or shrinkage
Fuel temperature correction is a mechanism that accounts for the expansion or shrinkage of fuel due to temperature changes. This is important because the density of fuel varies with temperature, which affects the volume and weight of the fuel. For example, a fuel company may calculate the weight of fuel as kg/litre at 25°C, but the actual temperature of the fuel can vary, resulting in changes in density and volume. This can lead to discrepancies between the amount of fuel that is sold and the amount that is delivered, impacting the cost and profitability of the fuel.
In cold weather, fuel economy can be significantly reduced. For instance, a conventional gasoline car's gas mileage in city driving is roughly 15% lower at 20°F than at 77°F, and this difference can be even more significant for short trips and hybrid vehicles. Similarly, in regions with colder climates, fuel suppliers may deliver more fuel than they initially intended due to the fuel contracting in the cold. This results in suppliers being at a disadvantage as they are providing more fuel than they are contracted to deliver.
On the other hand, in warmer weather, the fuel expands, and the volume increases, resulting in less weight for the same amount of fuel. This means that in hotter regions, buyers may receive less fuel than they contracted to receive, putting them at a disadvantage.
To address these issues, the industry has implemented fuel temperature correction methods. One approach is to use gross or net billing, where the gross amount of fuel is adjusted using thermodynamic temperature-correction measurements to determine the accurate net amount received by the customer. This adjustment accounts for the expansion or shrinkage of the fuel due to temperature changes, ensuring that the amount delivered matches the amount contracted.
Additionally, some pumps at fuel stations may be temperature compensated, allowing customers to maximize the fuel they receive based on the current temperature. For example, filling up with fuel early in the morning when it is cooler can result in more fuel as it will expand as it warms up in the tank, increasing mileage.
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Fuel companies calculate weight as kg/litre at 25°C
Fuel is a vital resource, and its efficiency is critical in various sectors, from transportation to energy generation. The weight and volume of fuel are essential factors in determining its energy content and, consequently, its performance.
When it comes to the relationship between temperature and fuel, it is essential to understand that fuel density varies with temperature. This variation in density directly impacts the volume and weight of the fuel. As the temperature rises, the fuel expands, leading to an increase in volume. Conversely, when the temperature decreases, the fuel contracts, resulting in a decrease in volume. This phenomenon is well understood and has been a part of driver training for decades.
Fuel companies, being keenly aware of this relationship, employ a standard method to calculate fuel weight. They use the formula of kilograms per litre (kg/L) at a standard temperature of 25°C. This standardised approach ensures consistency and accuracy in measurements, allowing for precise calculations of fuel weight, which is crucial for various applications, including aviation, where fuel weight directly impacts aircraft performance and range.
While fuel companies use a standard temperature for calculations, it is important to recognise that fuel is typically stored in large subterranean tanks. These underground tanks act as a natural insulator, maintaining the fuel at a relatively constant temperature, usually around 25°C, regardless of the ambient temperature above ground. This means that the fuel you pump into your vehicle has likely remained at a fairly stable temperature, and any expansion or contraction effects due to temperature variations are minimal during the short time between leaving the underground tank and entering your vehicle's fuel tank.
In conclusion, fuel companies' use of the kg/litre measurement at 25°C provides a standardised approach to calculating fuel weight, ensuring accuracy and consistency. While temperature variations can impact fuel density and volume, the insulating effect of underground storage tanks helps maintain a relatively constant fuel temperature, minimising any significant expansion or contraction effects on the amount of fuel delivered to your vehicle.
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Cold weather reduces fuel economy, especially for hybrids
Cold weather and winter driving conditions can significantly reduce fuel economy. Fuel economy tests show that, in city driving, a conventional gasoline car's gas mileage is roughly 15% lower at 20°F than it would be at 77°F. It can drop as much as 24% for short (3- to 4-mile) trips. The effect on hybrids is typically greater – with fuel economy dropping about 30% to 34% under these conditions. For hybrids, fuel economy typically decreases by 20% to 40% in city driving and 25% to 45% on short trips.
The reduction in efficiency affects all vehicles, but hybrid cars experience a more significant impact. Cold temperatures affect not only the gasoline engine but also the performance of electrical components, resulting in lower miles per gallon. Cold weather significantly impacts the hybrid battery's ability to power the vehicle effectively. The battery relies on specific chemical reactions to generate and transmit power to the electric motor. These reactions work best in warmer conditions and become less efficient as temperatures drop (typically 40°F or less). When the battery operates in cold conditions, it struggles to deliver consistent power to the electric motor, forcing the gasoline engine to compensate by running more frequently. This increased reliance on the gas engine leads to higher fuel consumption.
Cold temperatures also make it more difficult for engines to achieve complete fuel combustion. In cold conditions, more fuel remains unburned in the engine cylinders and exits through the exhaust system without contributing to power generation. The engine computer compensates for this inefficiency by adding extra fuel to the combustion mixture, increasing overall fuel consumption. Cold starts are particularly inefficient, using up to 50% more fuel during the first few minutes of operation, depending on the hybrid's model and age. This increased consumption gradually decreases as the engine reaches its optimal operating temperature.
Additionally, cold weather directly affects tire pressure in all vehicles, including hybrids. For every 10-degree Fahrenheit drop in temperature, tire pressure typically decreases by 1-2 PSI. This reduction in pressure increases rolling resistance, making it harder for your vehicle to maintain speed and efficiency. When tires are underinflated, the hybrid's engine and electric motor must work harder to overcome this additional resistance, leading to increased fuel consumption. Regular tire pressure checks become especially important during cold months, as maintaining proper inflation can improve fuel economy by 3-5%.
While it may not be possible to completely mitigate the effects of cold weather on fuel economy, there are some simple steps to lessen the reduction in gas mileage. For hybrids, preheating the cabin while plugged into the charger can extend the vehicle's range. Also, using the seat warmers instead of the cabin heater can save energy and extend the range.
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Retail pumps are calibrated based on 15°C fuel
The temperature of fuel does indeed affect the amount of fuel purchased at the pump. Fuel companies calculate weight using a formula of kg/litre at 25°C, and since the density of fuel varies with temperature, the volume and weight of fuel in the tank also vary. For example, if the ambient temperature is 45°C and 50 litres of fuel are pumped from a tank at 25°C, the volume will increase by about one litre as the fuel heats up to 45°C.
Retail pumps are calibrated at 15°C, which is a standard temperature for fuel sales. This calibration ensures that the correct amount of fuel is dispensed, taking into account the expansion or contraction of the fuel due to temperature changes. At 15°C, the fuel density is considered optimal for accurate measurement. While retailers may profit slightly during summer months when fuel expands, they lose out during colder periods.
The impact of temperature on fuel volume is a well-known phenomenon. Older driver's education manuals advised filling up early in the morning to take advantage of cooler fuel, which would then expand as the car engine warmed up, maximising mileage. However, with modern temperature-controlled underground storage tanks, fuel temperature remains relatively constant, typically around 25°C, regardless of the ambient temperature.
While the temperature of the fuel at the pump may not vary significantly, the temperature of the fuel in a vehicle's tank can still impact overall fuel economy. For example, in cold weather, fuel economy can decrease by up to 34% on short trips, as the engine requires more fuel to warm up and reach operating temperature. Similarly, idling to warm up the car can decrease fuel efficiency, whereas driving off gently after 30 seconds is recommended by manufacturers.
To address the challenges posed by temperature variations, the fuel industry has developed mechanisms to account for temperature shifts. OPIS, for instance, has created a methodology that factors in temperature changes by determining the proxy amount that needs to be added or subtracted from the benchmark rack price when the temperature is 60°F. This adjustment helps accurately reflect the expansion or shrinkage of the fuel due to temperature.
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Gasoline cars' mileage is lower at 20°F than 77°F
Fuel economy is adversely affected by cold weather and winter driving conditions. Gasoline cars tend to have lower mileage during these conditions. Fuel economy tests show that in city driving, a conventional gasoline car's gas mileage is roughly 15% lower at 20°F than at 77°F. The mileage drop is more significant for short trips of 3 to 4 miles, where the economy is 24% lower. The effect varies by vehicle model, but conventional gasoline vehicles typically suffer a 10% to 20% fuel economy loss in city driving and a 15% to 33% loss on short trips.
The impact of cold weather is even more pronounced for hybrid vehicles, which can experience a 30% to 34% drop in fuel economy under these conditions. For hybrids, fuel economy typically decreases by 20% to 40% in city driving and 25% to 45% on short trips. Electric vehicles (EVs) are also affected, with a roughly 39% drop in fuel economy in mixed city and highway driving, and a 41% range reduction. About two-thirds of the extra energy consumed is used to heat the cabin.
To mitigate the impact of cold weather on fuel economy, there are several strategies that drivers can employ. Parking in a warmer place, such as a garage, helps increase the initial temperature of the engine and cabin. Combining trips and minimising idling can also help, as driving off gently after about 30 seconds allows the engine to warm up faster, decreasing fuel costs and reducing emissions. It is also important to use the correct type of oil for cold weather driving and to regularly check tire pressure.
The effect of temperature on fuel economy is primarily due to the difference in fuel density at various temperatures. While fuel is typically stored in underground tanks at a relatively constant temperature, the density of fuel varies with temperature, affecting the volume and weight of the fuel. This variation in density can impact the mileage of a vehicle, as a balanced air/fuel mixture is essential for optimal engine performance, and imbalances can result in wasted fuel and reduced mileage.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the density of fuel varies with temperature, so the volume of fuel in your tank will vary. However, fuel is usually stored in large subterranean tanks, which act as an insulator, keeping the temperature fairly constant.
Yes, cold weather can significantly reduce fuel economy. For example, a conventional gasoline car's gas mileage is roughly 15% lower at 20°F than at 77°F.
There are several ways to improve fuel economy in cold weather: park in a warmer place, combine trips, minimise idling, drive gently, and use recommended engine oil.
A pound of fuel contains the same energy regardless of the temperature. However, the weight of fuel varies with temperature because the density of fuel varies with temperature.
You can get more fuel for your money by buying fuel in colder temperatures as it will expand when it warms up. Conversely, buying fuel in hot temperatures will result in less fuel as it will contract when it cools down.
