I would think that in cold weather our cars wouldn't get the greatest mileage right? I'm sure there are many posts about this but I've noticed the difference. Especially when temps get down to at least 32.
Yeah, for a couple of reasons: 1. The inherant problems of low temperatures: longer warm up, greater demands for cabin heat, and so on. 2. The car's computer controls detect ambient temperatures, and purposely change warmup behaviours and various protocols, both to maintain driveability and to keep emissions lower.
I hate the cold to, was averaging 51 mpg, cold since the snow came, 5 degrees right now, lucky to hit 40 mpg. Can't wait for a warm up and nice weather. I can stand 40 mpg in the winter thou, truck was getting 12, maybe 14 mpg in this weather.
Back then, 50,000 to 60,000 people each year didn't make it. And I still remember some of their names. By 2014, annual traffic deaths fells to under 34,000, despite increased population and per-capita miles driven. But that trend has now reversed, and at the current rate will top 40,000 this year. That is, if final figures don't show it already squeaking past that number last month. It seems that smartphones are replacing alcohol.
In BC in Canada (and country wide? Not sure, @Tideland Prius would likely know), and kosher vehicle with BC plates will have Daytime Running Lights that come on automatically, and will shine as long as you don't have parking or head lights on. Typically the DRL are highbeams at reduced brightness. That said, there are a lot of late model cars with BC plates out there with with no DRL's showing. US imported and/or lax regulation??
I'm not aware that DRL use is declining. More cars are getting DRLs -- e.g my first Subaru lacked them, but all newer models have them -- and most don't have have an option to turn the DRLs off. These Prii with optional DRLs replace earlier models that lacked DRL entirely. Absent evidence that DRL use is declining, I reject this suggestion as a contributor to the increased traffic carnage. A few years back, I noticed a significantly greater prevalence of this in AB than in BC. An AB member here felt it was mostly attributable to owner modification / customization. Which links back to lax enforcement.
And all the other smartphone apps too. My state's original law banning handheld cell phone calls was not broad enough to cover texting, so required an update. But that wasn't broad enough to cover the newer apps too, so now needs yet another update.
but then how much has all the new safety features; crumple zones, air bags etc have had on surviving crashes where 30 years ago the same exact accident would mean not surviving. I agree with smartphones, aka distracted driving, are causing more accidents. my city, college station texas, implemented a hands free ordinance back in November, with a town full of college students . . . . .$$$
iirc, speaking to someone not in the car vs a passenger uses a completely different part of the brain.
Yeah, because the passenger is cognizant of the driver's tasks, will hold off when he/she's paying attention to driving stuff.
Yeah this weather sucks. At least you are in TX. I am in WI! Haven't seen above 45mpg in 2 months. Right now my HSI is showing 40.5mpg. High winds the past few days too.
