Everyone wants good fuel economy and cheap gas prices. Because of this, there are all sorts of myths about how to get more miles per gallon. Some of these theories are true, while others are more on the bogus side. One of the biggest myths that drivers believe is that cars use more gas in the summer. While this isn’t true, there are reasons why driving in hotter weather might be more expensive.
Most cars get better fuel economy in the summer
As mentioned, it’s a pretty long-held belief that cars get worse fuel economy in the summer. However, according to The Department of Energy, this isn’t the case. In fact, cars get better fuel economy in hotter weather because the engine warms up faster. Not only that but the grades of gas available in the summer tend to have more energy.
Additionally, cars get better gas mileage in the summer because warm air causes less drag than cold air. This all means that cars get worse fuel economy in colder months. However, this doesn’t mean driving in the summer is cheaper. In many ways, the increased economy offsets the other summer driving requirements.
Cheap gas prices go away in the summer
While fuel economy in the summer is better, drivers may spend more on fuel than during cooler months. There are a few reasons for this but one of the most significant is using the air conditioner. Of course, not everyone uses this feature, but it could decrease fuel economy by about 25%. This is because the alternator and the engine have to work harder to support the AC.
People spend more money on fuel during the summer because gas prices go up. This is because gas stations switch to summer-grade gas in the spring, which has additives to make it cleaner. However, summer-grade gas is more expensive to produce, hence the less cheap gas prices. One myth surrounding this is that gas companies charge more because people drive more in the summer.
There are a few ways to save money on gas in the summer since the increased fuel economy doesn’t always make a difference. Turning off the AC will help. Of course, this shouldn’t be done to anyone’s physical detriment, but having the windows down can add to a road trip. Some people drive less and perhaps use bikes for shorter trips around town. Unfortunately, coping with summer gas prices is something we all have to do.
