accord v6 fuel mileage

[slider]

I am wondering what kind of gas mileage to expect from my 2001 accord v6.I
owned it for 8 months or so and decided to see what kind of mileage I was
getting.I did some figuring with city driving and I am getting a
"disgusting"15.5 miles per gallon.
As far as I have been reading,this seems way too low.Anyone else getting
mileage this low in city driving?My tires are up to proper psi,however I
have yet to replace the filters and plugs that may boost it up a bit.
thanks in advance!

[MLD]

"slider" <daroy@hfx.eastlink.ca> wrote in message
news:eDA_d.45875$ZO2.22469@edtnps84...
> I am wondering what kind of gas mileage to expect from my 2001 accord v6.I
> owned it for 8 months or so and decided to see what kind of mileage I was
> getting.I did some figuring with city driving and I am getting a
> "disgusting"15.5 miles per gallon.
> As far as I have been reading,this seems way too low.Anyone else getting
> mileage this low in city driving?My tires are up to proper psi,however I
> have yet to replace the filters and plugs that may boost it up a bit.
> thanks in advance!
>
>
2000 Accord EX V6. City get around 24-25 mpg. Highway, 3500 mile RT trip
going about 75-80 mph--got 27-29 mpg, can get higher, over 30, if I slow
down. Don't figure your mileage on one fill up. It will be inaccurate. Try
calculating over several tankfulls and see if that makes any difference. If
not, then you've got a problem.
MLD

[scrapbook]

try this site:
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/spec_engines.aspx?modelid=9800&trimid=-1&src=vip

"slider" <daroy@hfx.eastlink.ca> wrote in message
news:eDA_d.45875$ZO2.22469@edtnps84...
>I am wondering what kind of gas mileage to expect from my 2001 accord v6.I
> owned it for 8 months or so and decided to see what kind of mileage I was
> getting.I did some figuring with city driving and I am getting a
> "disgusting"15.5 miles per gallon.
> As far as I have been reading,this seems way too low.Anyone else getting
> mileage this low in city driving?My tires are up to proper psi,however I
> have yet to replace the filters and plugs that may boost it up a bit.
> thanks in advance!
>
>

[Brian Smith]

"slider" <daroy@hfx.eastlink.ca> wrote in message
news:eDA_d.45875$ZO2.22469@edtnps84...
>I am wondering what kind of gas mileage to expect from
>my 2001 accord v6.I
> owned it for 8 months or so and decided to see what
> kind of mileage I was
> getting.I did some figuring with city driving and I
> am getting a
> "disgusting"15.5 miles per gallon.
> As far as I have been reading,this seems way too
> low.Anyone else getting
> mileage this low in city driving?My tires are up to
> proper psi,however I
> have yet to replace the filters and plugs that may
> boost it up a bit.
> thanks in advance!

I've never got any mileage that low. I'm getting
between 28 and 30 mpg in town through the winter with
my Accord (same year and engine as yours).

Brian

[slider]

that brings up a good point.When they test cars for mileage per gallon,they
should refer to winter time or summer time.It makes a huge
difference,probably as huge as highway and city.

"scrapbook" <ptbrown@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:cnE_d.1085$Ln.50443@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca...
> try this site:
>
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/spec_engines.aspx?modelid=9800&trimid=-1&s
rc=vip
>
> "slider" <daroy@hfx.eastlink.ca> wrote in message
> news:eDA_d.45875$ZO2.22469@edtnps84...
> >I am wondering what kind of gas mileage to expect from my 2001 accord
v6.I
> > owned it for 8 months or so and decided to see what kind of mileage I
was
> > getting.I did some figuring with city driving and I am getting a
> > "disgusting"15.5 miles per gallon.
> > As far as I have been reading,this seems way too low.Anyone else getting
> > mileage this low in city driving?My tires are up to proper psi,however I
> > have yet to replace the filters and plugs that may boost it up a bit.
> > thanks in advance!
> >
> >
>
>

[slider]

well Brian,I filled it up a week or so ago.Drove around Halifax for that
week and filled up again yesterday.It took 44.13 litres and my odometer read
227 kilometers.
Did I do the math correctly?
"Brian Smith" <Halifax@NovaScotia.Canada> wrote in message
news:uuE_d.63970$i6.44899@edtnps90...
>
> "slider" <daroy@hfx.eastlink.ca> wrote in message
> news:eDA_d.45875$ZO2.22469@edtnps84...
> >I am wondering what kind of gas mileage to expect from
> >my 2001 accord v6.I
> > owned it for 8 months or so and decided to see what
> > kind of mileage I was
> > getting.I did some figuring with city driving and I
> > am getting a
> > "disgusting"15.5 miles per gallon.
> > As far as I have been reading,this seems way too
> > low.Anyone else getting
> > mileage this low in city driving?My tires are up to
> > proper psi,however I
> > have yet to replace the filters and plugs that may
> > boost it up a bit.
> > thanks in advance!
>
> I've never got any mileage that low. I'm getting
> between 28 and 30 mpg in town through the winter with
> my Accord (same year and engine as yours).
>
> Brian
>
>

[Michael Pardee]

The EPA tests fuel economy for bureaucratic reasons - they are used for
calculating CAFE ratings. Actually, any semblance to the numbers we get are
coincidental.

Mike

"slider" <daroy@hfx.eastlink.ca> wrote in message
news:GUF_d.69775$fc4.21714@edtnps89...
> that brings up a good point.When they test cars for mileage per
> gallon,they
> should refer to winter time or summer time.It makes a huge
> difference,probably as huge as highway and city.
>
> "scrapbook" <ptbrown@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote in message
> news:cnE_d.1085$Ln.50443@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca...
>> try this site:
>>
> http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/spec_engines.aspx?modelid=9800&trimid=-1&s
> rc=vip
>>
>> "slider" <daroy@hfx.eastlink.ca> wrote in message
>> news:eDA_d.45875$ZO2.22469@edtnps84...
>> >I am wondering what kind of gas mileage to expect from my 2001 accord
> v6.I
>> > owned it for 8 months or so and decided to see what kind of mileage I
> was
>> > getting.I did some figuring with city driving and I am getting a
>> > "disgusting"15.5 miles per gallon.
>> > As far as I have been reading,this seems way too low.Anyone else
>> > getting
>> > mileage this low in city driving?My tires are up to proper psi,however
>> > I
>> > have yet to replace the filters and plugs that may boost it up a bit.
>> > thanks in advance!
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>

[Brian Smith]

"slider" <daroy@hfx.eastlink.ca> wrote in message
news:cWF_d.69792$fc4.54143@edtnps89...
> well Brian,I filled it up a week or so ago.Drove
> around Halifax for that
> week and filled up again yesterday.It took 44.13
> litres and my odometer read
> 227 kilometers.
> Did I do the math correctly?

Using your numbers above, I came up with 14.4 mpg. What
is the mileage on your car?

[slider]

125,000 kms.
"Brian Smith" <Halifax@NovaScotia.Canada> wrote in message
news:RlJ_d.71163$fc4.28669@edtnps89...
>
> "slider" <daroy@hfx.eastlink.ca> wrote in message
> news:cWF_d.69792$fc4.54143@edtnps89...
> > well Brian,I filled it up a week or so ago.Drove
> > around Halifax for that
> > week and filled up again yesterday.It took 44.13
> > litres and my odometer read
> > 227 kilometers.
> > Did I do the math correctly?
>
> Using your numbers above, I came up with 14.4 mpg. What
> is the mileage on your car?
>
>

[slider]

and by the way...I meant to say tripometer,not odometer :-)
"Brian Smith" <Halifax@NovaScotia.Canada> wrote in message
news:RlJ_d.71163$fc4.28669@edtnps89...
>
> "slider" <daroy@hfx.eastlink.ca> wrote in message
> news:cWF_d.69792$fc4.54143@edtnps89...
> > well Brian,I filled it up a week or so ago.Drove
> > around Halifax for that
> > week and filled up again yesterday.It took 44.13
> > litres and my odometer read
> > 227 kilometers.
> > Did I do the math correctly?
>
> Using your numbers above, I came up with 14.4 mpg. What
> is the mileage on your car?
>
>

[John]

I have a 2004 accord V6 that I have had for nine months and I track the gas
milage
with a computer program and I average 26.5 MPG since I bought it new last
April.
I use 87 octane and most of my driving is around town.
There are many reasons for such a low milage. Some thing to check
are: If your buying your gas at the same place all the time maybe the gas pump
computer is wrong :it reads 12 gallons but only pumps 10. Someone has a siphon
hose stealing gas from your tank. I owned a 2000 accord V6 before the 2004
and averaged about 24 MPH

slider wrote:

> I am wondering what kind of gas mileage to expect from my 2001 accord v6.I
> owned it for 8 months or so and decided to see what kind of mileage I was
> getting.I did some figuring with city driving and I am getting a
> "disgusting"15.5 miles per gallon.
> As far as I have been reading,this seems way too low.Anyone else getting
> mileage this low in city driving?My tires are up to proper psi,however I
> have yet to replace the filters and plugs that may boost it up a bit.
> thanks in advance!

[Ghislain]

I'm in the Ottawa area. I drive an '01 Acura TL and I get slightly better
mileage than you (part of my travel around town is on a highway). Driving
around town in cold weather yields bad mileage with a V6 because they seem
to take forever to fully warm up (compared to a much smaller I4). Usually I
can drive 350 kms with 55 liters of premium fuel in the winter and 450-500
kms in the summer. On a long highway trip at a decent speed (120 kmh) I can
drive 600 kms with 58-60 litres (winter or summer doesn't make much
difference).

"slider" <daroy@hfx.eastlink.ca> wrote in news:
cWF_d.69792$fc4.54143@edtnps89...
> well Brian,I filled it up a week or so ago.Drove around Halifax for that
> week and filled up again yesterday.It took 44.13 litres and my odometer
> read
> 227 kilometers.
> Did I do the math correctly?
> "Brian Smith" <Halifax@NovaScotia.Canada> wrote in message
> news:uuE_d.63970$i6.44899@edtnps90...
>>
>> "slider" <daroy@hfx.eastlink.ca> wrote in message
>> news:eDA_d.45875$ZO2.22469@edtnps84...
>> >I am wondering what kind of gas mileage to expect from
>> >my 2001 accord v6.I
>> > owned it for 8 months or so and decided to see what
>> > kind of mileage I was
>> > getting.I did some figuring with city driving and I
>> > am getting a
>> > "disgusting"15.5 miles per gallon.
>> > As far as I have been reading,this seems way too
>> > low.Anyone else getting
>> > mileage this low in city driving?My tires are up to
>> > proper psi,however I
>> > have yet to replace the filters and plugs that may
>> > boost it up a bit.
>> > thanks in advance!
>>
>> I've never got any mileage that low. I'm getting
>> between 28 and 30 mpg in town through the winter with
>> my Accord (same year and engine as yours).
>>
>> Brian
>>
>>
>
>



----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

[Brian Smith]

"slider" <daroy@hfx.eastlink.ca> wrote in message
news:T9K_d.71617$fc4.9473@edtnps89...
> 125,000 kms.

I've got 128,000 on mine. there shouldn't be that much
difference in the two vehicle's fuel consumption. Do
you have the service records for the car? I wonder if
the previous owner changed the transmission fluid and
did all of the other regular maintenance that I have
done since I've had my car?

Brian

[Brian Smith]

"slider" <daroy@hfx.eastlink.ca> wrote in message
news:dbK_d.71627$fc4.51100@edtnps89...
> and by the way...I meant to say tripometer,not
> odometer :-)

I figured that <g>.

[Brian Smith]

"Ghislain" <ghislaing@teksavvyDOTcom> wrote in message
news:423b87d3$1_2@127.0.0.1...
> I'm in the Ottawa area. I drive an '01 Acura TL and I
> get slightly better mileage than you (part of my
> travel around town is on a highway). Driving around
> town in cold weather yields bad mileage with a V6
> because they seem to take forever to fully warm up
> (compared to a much smaller I4). Usually I can drive
> 350 kms with 55 liters of premium fuel in the winter
> and 450-500 kms in the summer. On a long highway trip
> at a decent speed (120 kmh) I can drive 600 kms with
> 58-60 litres (winter or summer doesn't make much
> difference).

Interesting. I normally am able to put about 500 km on
the tank of fuel in the winter, and close to 800 on the
tank in the summer, using regular fuel. I don't know
how that makes you able to say that you achieve better
mileage than I do.

Brian

[Ghislain]

My mistake. I meant to answer the OP.

If you achieve 800 kms in the summer, you certainly don't drive like I do.
The best that I achieved was 700 kms and that was on a long trip. I used to
drive a 4 cylinder Camry and it wasn't much better on the highway.

"Brian Smith" <Halifax@NovaScotia.Canada> a wrote in news:
nlV_d.46109$ZO2.43416@edtnps84...
>
> "Ghislain" <ghislaing@teksavvyDOTcom> wrote in message
> news:423b87d3$1_2@127.0.0.1...
>> I'm in the Ottawa area. I drive an '01 Acura TL and I get slightly better
>> mileage than you (part of my travel around town is on a highway). Driving
>> around town in cold weather yields bad mileage with a V6 because they
>> seem to take forever to fully warm up (compared to a much smaller I4).
>> Usually I can drive 350 kms with 55 liters of premium fuel in the winter
>> and 450-500 kms in the summer. On a long highway trip at a decent speed
>> (120 kmh) I can drive 600 kms with 58-60 litres (winter or summer doesn't
>> make much difference).
>
> Interesting. I normally am able to put about 500 km on the tank of fuel in
> the winter, and close to 800 on the tank in the summer, using regular
> fuel. I don't know how that makes you able to say that you achieve better
> mileage than I do.
>
> Brian
>



----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

[Brian Smith]

"Ghislain" <ghislaing@teksavvyDOTcom> wrote in message
news:423c925f$1_2@127.0.0.1...
> My mistake. I meant to answer the OP.

No problem.

> If you achieve 800 kms in the summer, you certainly
> don't drive like I do. The best that I achieved was
> 700 kms and that was on a long trip. I used to drive
> a 4 cylinder Camry and it wasn't much better on the
> highway.

The most I've managed to do is 855 km before the low
fuel light lit up.

Brian

[Jay Stutzmann]

About 30-32 on the highway is about right for me.

City is around 20.


"MLD" <MLD@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:VlC_d.5704$jt6.3707@trndny07...
>
> "slider" <daroy@hfx.eastlink.ca> wrote in message
> news:eDA_d.45875$ZO2.22469@edtnps84...
>> I am wondering what kind of gas mileage to expect from my 2001 accord
>> v6.I
>> owned it for 8 months or so and decided to see what kind of mileage I was
>> getting.I did some figuring with city driving and I am getting a
>> "disgusting"15.5 miles per gallon.
>> As far as I have been reading,this seems way too low.Anyone else getting
>> mileage this low in city driving?My tires are up to proper psi,however I
>> have yet to replace the filters and plugs that may boost it up a bit.
>> thanks in advance!
>>
>>
> 2000 Accord EX V6. City get around 24-25 mpg. Highway, 3500 mile RT trip
> going about 75-80 mph--got 27-29 mpg, can get higher, over 30, if I slow
> down. Don't figure your mileage on one fill up. It will be inaccurate.
> Try
> calculating over several tankfulls and see if that makes any difference.
> If
> not, then you've got a problem.
> MLD
>
>

[slider]

as a matter of fact,I went to Old Orchard Beach last summer and I got
31miles PG also.
I think when it warms up a bit,like it has been doing,my mileage will
improve a bit.15 miles per gallon is hard to take.
I am doing a highway/city mileage test and so far I am up to 300kms. ...180
of those are highway.I believe I used approx. 2/3rds of a full tank so
far.This seems a lot better than the last tank.Although all city driving,I
got only 227 kilometers off that last tank full

"Jay Stutzmann" <Jay.Stutzmann@NOSPAM.ZIP> wrote in message
news:gyJ%d.91396$r55.80816@attbi_s52...
> About 30-32 on the highway is about right for me.
>
> City is around 20.
>
>
> "MLD" <MLD@verizon.net> wrote in message
> news:VlC_d.5704$jt6.3707@trndny07...
> >
> > "slider" <daroy@hfx.eastlink.ca> wrote in message
> > news:eDA_d.45875$ZO2.22469@edtnps84...
> >> I am wondering what kind of gas mileage to expect from my 2001 accord
> >> v6.I
> >> owned it for 8 months or so and decided to see what kind of mileage I
was
> >> getting.I did some figuring with city driving and I am getting a
> >> "disgusting"15.5 miles per gallon.
> >> As far as I have been reading,this seems way too low.Anyone else
getting
> >> mileage this low in city driving?My tires are up to proper psi,however
I
> >> have yet to replace the filters and plugs that may boost it up a bit.
> >> thanks in advance!
> >>
> >>
> > 2000 Accord EX V6. City get around 24-25 mpg. Highway, 3500 mile RT
trip
> > going about 75-80 mph--got 27-29 mpg, can get higher, over 30, if I
slow
> > down. Don't figure your mileage on one fill up. It will be inaccurate.
> > Try
> > calculating over several tankfulls and see if that makes any difference.
> > If
> > not, then you've got a problem.
> > MLD
> >
> >
>
>

[magix23]

I have a 2001 v6 and in the metro NYC are I get about 18 in the city and
about 26 on the highway.
The city mileage have been lousy from day one.
The new accords 4cyl is better you don't give much in performance plus the
engine is stronger along with the security of a timing chain.

[slider]

I started a post a few months about the 2001 v6 mileage...not sure if this
is a re:to the same post.I was getting 15.5 miles per gallon in the
city,during the winter.Since then that has increased to exactly what you
said...18 mpg's.A little better,but would be nice if it were in the 20's of
course.I read in the pamphlet that you should get 21mpg.I am referring to
the "pretty"large fold out flyer you get at the dealers.
On the highway I get close to 31 mpg.

"magix23" <buleak@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:6lbie.2799$BF5.1167@trndny06...
> I have a 2001 v6 and in the metro NYC are I get about 18 in the city and
> about 26 on the highway.
> The city mileage have been lousy from day one.
> The new accords 4cyl is better you don't give much in performance plus the
> engine is stronger along with the security of a timing chain.
>
>

[Brian Stell]

slider wrote:
> ... getting 15.5 miles per gallon in the city,during the winter.Since
> then that has increased to exactly what you said...18 mpg's.A little
> better,but would be nice if it were in the 20's of course.I read in
> the pamphlet that you should get 21mpg.I am referring to the
> "pretty"large fold out flyer you get at the dealers. On the highway I
> get close to 31 mpg.

31 highway winter or summer? snow tires/chains? Based on this mileage
it looks like your car is in good shape and running well.

I have a 2005 Accord v6. I tend to get an average of about 24-27
in mixed city/highway driving (probably more highway miles). I have
the nav unit and it has a page that shows the instantaneous mpg.
On a level highway at constant speed I often see 35-45 mpg at 60-75
mph. In the city I see 0 when stopped; to 10-15 when accelerating.
I'm fairly gentle on the pedal and try to coast (at least not
accelerate) when approaching red lights.

15 seems a bit low for city but it could be reasonable depending
on rolling resistance (snow / slush) and how aggressively you
accelerate. They designed the engine to accelerate the car fairly
aggressively if one steps firmly on the pedal. Of course the
engine consumes lots of gas to do this.

You could try taking a test drive in a nav equipped accord and look
at the instantaneous mpg page.

[slider]

that 31 is highway,in the summer.
the 15 city during winter is what scares me.Oh well,gotta pay for comfort I
guess.

"Brian Stell" <bstell@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:Hwoie.18286$J12.7176@newssvr14.news.prodigy.c om...
> slider wrote:
> > ... getting 15.5 miles per gallon in the city,during the winter.Since
> > then that has increased to exactly what you said...18 mpg's.A little
> > better,but would be nice if it were in the 20's of course.I read in
> > the pamphlet that you should get 21mpg.I am referring to the
> > "pretty"large fold out flyer you get at the dealers. On the highway I
> > get close to 31 mpg.
>
> 31 highway winter or summer? snow tires/chains? Based on this mileage
> it looks like your car is in good shape and running well.
>
> I have a 2005 Accord v6. I tend to get an average of about 24-27
> in mixed city/highway driving (probably more highway miles). I have
> the nav unit and it has a page that shows the instantaneous mpg.
> On a level highway at constant speed I often see 35-45 mpg at 60-75
> mph. In the city I see 0 when stopped; to 10-15 when accelerating.
> I'm fairly gentle on the pedal and try to coast (at least not
> accelerate) when approaching red lights.
>
> 15 seems a bit low for city but it could be reasonable depending
> on rolling resistance (snow / slush) and how aggressively you
> accelerate. They designed the engine to accelerate the car fairly
> aggressively if one steps firmly on the pedal. Of course the
> engine consumes lots of gas to do this.
>
> You could try taking a test drive in a nav equipped accord and look
> at the instantaneous mpg page.

[Michael Pardee]

"slider" <daroy@hfx.eastlink.ca> wrote in message
news:ICrie.68338$tg1.24367@edtnps84...
> that 31 is highway,in the summer.
> the 15 city during winter is what scares me.Oh well,gotta pay for comfort
> I
> guess.
>
The winter problem is even more of an issue with cars that get much better
economy normally. My wife's car is a '02 Prius (hybrid) and she gets 50 mpg
around town in three seasons and low/mid forties in the winter. It has a
real-time mpg display, and I decided to see what would happen if we turned
the heater up full and opened the windows in town one winter day. I was
amazed to see the 5 minute average drop to 25 mpg! I guess the heat has to
come from burning fuel one way or another.

Mike

[Brian Stell]

> The winter problem is even more of an issue with cars that get much
> better economy normally. My wife's car is a '02 Prius (hybrid) and
> she gets 50 mpg around town in three seasons and low/mid forties in
> the winter. It has a real-time mpg display, and I decided to see what
> would happen if we turned the heater up full and opened the windows
> in town one winter day. I was amazed to see the 5 minute average drop
> to 25 mpg! I guess the heat has to come from burning fuel one way or
> another.

I would be very surprised if the engine comsumed more or less fuel
based on the amount of heat being directed to the passenger compartment.
There is so much excess heat being produced all the time.

Has anyone else noticed this?

The only way I can imagine an increase in fuel comsumption due to
heating the cabin is if the engine got so cold it went into "enrichen
the mixture" (equiv to choke) mode. In that case you would feel very
little heat from the vents because the engine was so cold.

(wild speculation) It also could be possible that fan motor used more
power, but 5 mpg?

[slider]

I was always curious as to why they advertise mileage in "highway and city
driving"and not "winter and summer."
"Brian Stell" <bstell@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:N8Aie.998$kj7.486@newssvr21.news.prodigy.com. ..
> > The winter problem is even more of an issue with cars that get much
> > better economy normally. My wife's car is a '02 Prius (hybrid) and
> > she gets 50 mpg around town in three seasons and low/mid forties in
> > the winter. It has a real-time mpg display, and I decided to see what
> > would happen if we turned the heater up full and opened the windows
> > in town one winter day. I was amazed to see the 5 minute average drop
> > to 25 mpg! I guess the heat has to come from burning fuel one way or
> > another.
>
> I would be very surprised if the engine comsumed more or less fuel
> based on the amount of heat being directed to the passenger compartment.
> There is so much excess heat being produced all the time.
>
> Has anyone else noticed this?
>
> The only way I can imagine an increase in fuel comsumption due to
> heating the cabin is if the engine got so cold it went into "enrichen
> the mixture" (equiv to choke) mode. In that case you would feel very
> little heat from the vents because the engine was so cold.
>
> (wild speculation) It also could be possible that fan motor used more
> power, but 5 mpg?

[Michael Pardee]

"Brian Stell" <bstell@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:N8Aie.998$kj7.486@newssvr21.news.prodigy.com. ..
> I would be very surprised if the engine comsumed more or less fuel
> based on the amount of heat being directed to the passenger compartment.
> There is so much excess heat being produced all the time.
>

I don't actually know, but I'm not sure that is true any more. (It isn't for
the Toyota hybrid system, which restarts the engine based on system
temperatures.) I suspect engine downsizing and increases in efficiency have
meant less waste heat. Cold mpg has always been the pits, even in the old
days, and maybe excessive heater use cools the engine enough to impact fuel
economy. That's pure speculation on my part, though.

Mike