Synthetic oil bad mileage

HSPrzepa

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Going to keep this short.
(factory oil) ~38 mpg.
First oil change at 10,000 miles, 10% oil life, 4 quarts of full synthetic Mobil 1 0W-20 ~34mpg

Same route, no extreme weather conditions "Icy roads/wind".

Could weather have had an impact?
Has anybody else had this problem?
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NorthernEX-T

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Its definitely not synthetic oils fault. I think weather has a bigger difference than conventional vs synthetic.
 

Civics4Ever

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Winter mix vs summer blend.
 

NorthernEX-T

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I'm getting around 10L/100km vs easily getting 6L/100km in the summer. Synthetic oil all year long for me.
 


se7encrows

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Winter weather has dropped my MPG as well. This is compared to the same oil that's been in my vehicle at 70 degree weather. It's around 12 degrees now. Significant MPG loss in the cold weather. Shouldn't have anything to do with your oil. Which is one of the top synthetic oils and is highly recommended.
 

Strack

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I have only experienced a slight change in fuel economy, but it only has to do with the cold weather. In the summer I was getting around 5.2l/100km, in the winter, around 5.9l6.2l/100km. I should also mention I have almost 27,000km on the car.
 

hunter44102

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Cold weather for sure. Even a slight warm spell will increase it. So it could just be correlation when a cold spell came in. Every vehicle takes a hit in the cold, even hybrids.
 

tacthecat

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I have only experienced a slight change in fuel economy, but it only has to do with the cold weather. In the summer I was getting around 5.2l/100km, in the winter, around 5.9l6.2l/100km. I should also mention I have almost 27,000km on the car.
If you meant 5.9 L/100km that's a 13% drop in mileage; original poster (only) had an 11% drop. It's the temperature and gasoline change from Summer to Winter.
 

chuenoona

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Yep not the oil's fault.... Its just winter..

Summer i was 37 mpg average

Now with winter tires, winter gas and colder dense air .. I'm getting barely 30 mpg average.. Same commute.. Same driving.style
 


NorthernEX-T

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Think of it like running. How nice and easy is it to do on a 20C / 70F day, sunny, clear roads, perfect air temperature to breathe. Same goes for the car. Try running in snow, -10 temps, digging for traction slipping away. It's almost like trying to run while dreaming, I know some of you can relate, it's just so hard!! Haha. :drool:

Honda Civic 10th gen Synthetic oil bad mileage IMG_0341.JPG
 

somarilnos

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A lot of this was mentioned, but:

1) Winter gas, less fuel economy than summer.
2) Cold weather (even if not extreme). Cold air is more dense, hence there is more wind resistance fighting the car during cold weather.
3) If the better fuel economy was in the summer, it could partially be traffic related. I get a lot worse fuel economy when school is in for this reason.
4) Have you checked the air in your tires? Make sure that they're all still properly inflated.
 

NorthernEX-T

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A lot of this was mentioned, but:

1) Winter gas, less fuel economy than summer.
2) Cold weather (even if not extreme). Cold air is more dense, hence there is more wind resistance fighting the car during cold weather.
3) If the better fuel economy was in the summer, it could partially be traffic related. I get a lot worse fuel economy when school is in for this reason.
4) Have you checked the air in your tires? Make sure that they're all still properly inflated.
Good points, but is winter gas really a thing?! I might learn something today.... enlighten me lol
 

NorthernEX-T

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