How Does Cold Weather Affect Hybrid Cars?

Many people are wondering about how cold weather affects hybrid cars. Will the batteries freeze up? (Not likely... unless it's so cold you would expect to have trouble with a normal car battery.) What will happen to my fuel economy? (It will drop.) Is there anything special I need to do to winterize my car? (Yes.)

Cold Weather and Hybrid Car Fuel Economy

As with any car, fuel economy drops when the temperature drops. The problem isn't with the hybrid car, but with simple physics. Cars that are 'warmed up' perform better. Until the engine heats up, the vehicle is not performing at its best. Since the temperature outside is lower, the car takes longer to warm up, which means it takes longer for your car to run at its most optimum level, which means your fuel economy will suffer.

Some suggest block heaters, but I'm not sure the extra cost and hassle is worth it. You just transfer the energy cost to warm up your car from the engine itself to the electrical grid. Unless, of course, you live in an area where even starting a car can be a hassle because the temperature is too low.

One other point; running the defroster can keep the hybrid from shutting down the gas engine when you stop the car at a light. That will also affect your fuel economy.

How to Winterize Your Hybrid Car

Preparing your hybrid car for the cold weather is similar to what you would need to do for a regular car, with a few small exceptions.

Tire pressure is affected by the cold weather, which in turn affects your fuel economy. Keep an eye on your tires. Keeping your tires pressurized affects your mileage more than you think it does. Snow tires may be necessary, depending on your location.

When the gas engine stops (at a stop light, for instance) you may end up getting cold air blown on you. The gas engine produces the heat that gets blown in by the fans. It may take less than a minute for you to go from hot air to cold air, so make sure you keep your jacket or a blanket handy.

You may want to place a front grill block between the grill and the radiator to improve the cars performance. A piece of cardboard can do the trick.

Getting a tune-up may be the best thing you can do for your car before winter starts. Change the oil, check the fluids, etc... You can most likely get these things done at your local repair shop, rather than at the dealership. There's nothing special about changing the oil that would require you to pay extra for dealership expertise.

How Does a Hybrid Car Handle the Snow and Ice?

Some hybrid cars have been built to reduce weight, so be careful when you're driving and the snow is flying. Snow and ice can cause dangerous conditions and it's best to be cautious.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, fuel economy may be your biggest concern when you think about cold weather affecting your hybrid. Hybrid cars are just as able to get you through the winter months as other cars in their class. But just as with all cars, the fuel economy will be lowered. While some of the tricks I outlined above will help, there's nothing that can completely stop it.

Well, other than spring rolling around.