2019 RAV4 AWD cooler weather dropping mpg

[PeteB]

[Parts-King]

My new Corolla has dropped from 73.4 to 70.9 and dropping.................  

[PeteB]

I'm used to this in all four generations of Prius, but I'm bracing myself for further drops as one of the biggest factors (along with, in the case of Hybrids, running the engine more to heat the occupants) is air resistance which increases considerably in the winter due to the air being denser when colder.

The latest Prius (on 15" wheels) has a phenomenal drag factor of 0.24 (all the more remarkable as other cars in this group like the Tesla Model S are electric and don't have exhaust systems under the car or radiators).  The RAV is, I believe, 0.32 which by comparison is like a house brick towing a parachute!  Therefore colder weather is likely affect cars like the RAV more than slipperier cars like the other Toyota Hybrids.

The Yaris at 0.29 is not brilliant which is one reason it generally gets less mpg than the much larger, heavier Prius. (This is the same CD as the original 1997 Gen 1 Prius saloon).

[Anthony Poli]

I’m so much of a miser that I try and leave the heating of on short trips. Or until I’m on the motorway lol


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[stevecrvn]

5 minutes ago, Anthony Poli said:

I’m so much of a miser that I try and leave the heating of on short trips. Or until I’m on the motorway lol


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I have started wearing a jumper when driving the yaris hybrid to keep the heating off !

[Scottydog007]

I’ve been working in cold South Wales most of the week then home to north west London. The weather has really been cold and my RAV4 2019 is giving a reading of 41mpg, which I think is great. I leave the AC on auto at 20C, I often use the heated seats for a short time.

I had the 2018 RAV4 this time last year and I got 33mpg for the same conditions. 

[Anthony Poli]

I’ve been working in cold South Wales most of the week then home to north west London. The weather has really been cold and my RAV4 2019 is giving a reading of 41mpg, which I think is great. I leave the AC on auto at 20C, I often use the heated seats for a short time.
I had the 2018 RAV4 this time last year and I got 33mpg for the same conditions. 

I do that with the temperature for longer drives. Just not the short less than 10minute / 4 mile commute to work and back.


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