Anyone experience sluggish performance and worse fuel economy with Winter fuel blend?

[RND1]

So recently I've started noticing my LC feeling more sluggish when driving around town. Also noticed the gas gauge dropping before my eyes. This all due to the Winter fuel blend? I also think I have the dreaded "D" vibration. Only has happened a couple of times with the temps falling below freezing over night. Searching here yielded that this is a common problem exacerbated by falling temps (maybe more likely Winter fuel?) and the solution was / is to clean the throttle body?

So, have you noticed the change in performance and fuel economy this time of year?

 

[SWUtah]

No but I'm in Texas

 

[TXLX100]

I'm in Texas, I seemed to notice some timing issues in my Ford when the fuel blends start to change. My 100 always feels sluggish.

 

[spressomon]

Yes.

 

[RND1]

Thanks guys - that's what I figured. The vibration in drive while on the brakes is an interesting one - fairly low frequency. I think it's time for an all around tune up.

I've been running 87 Octane, will 93 make any difference?

 

[2001LC]

The higher octane is recommended, lower many cause power loss resulting in lower MPG. Many believe switching will take ECU about three tanks to recalibrate, resulting in temporary lower MPG.

I average 7% drop in MPG each year (10 yr's of records) with winter gas blend (higher RVP) and colder starts (warm up time effect). Running climate control winter or summer will also have about same effect on MPG.

"D" Vib: Try a can of 44K in the gas tank, clean TB & MAF sensor and service air filter. Very important disconnect battery for minimum of 30 minutes while working on engine, this will reset ECU. And finally tighten engine cover & roof racks, and make sure all lubes, oils and fuel & air filters have been serviced.

I find doing the above service each year "after" winter blend comes out, helps to reduce the "D" vib.

 

[RND1]

The higher octane is recommended, lower many cause power loss resulting in lower MPG. Many believe switching will take ECU about three tanks to recalibrate, resulting in temporary lower MPG.

I average 7% drop in MPG each year (10 yr's of records) with winter gas blend (higher RVP) and colder starts (warm up time effect). Running climate control winter or summer will also have about same effect on MPG.

"D" Vib: Try a can of 44K in the gas tank, clean TB & MAF sensor and service air filter. Very important disconnect battery for minimum of 30 minutes while working on engine, this will reset ECU. And finally tighten engine cover & roof racks, and make sure all lubes, oils and fuel & air filters have been serviced.

I find doing the above service each year "after" winter blend comes out, helps to reduce the "D" vib.

Thanks 2001LC - I followed your thread with great interest regarding the D vibration. It is exactly what I am getting. I noticed tonight while in drive but at a stop, my idle dropped to 600 rpm and the vibration was consistent. When I put it in neutral still at a stop, the idle jumped to 700 rpm and the vibration went away. I'm still unsure what's vibrating - I tried to reach up to the roof rack while driving, but couldn't reach the cross bar.

What is 44K?

 

[SmoothLC]

BG 44K® Fuel System Cleaner

 

[RND1]

^ Thanks Smooth - just ordered on Amazon. Will have it by Tuesday so we'll see how it works.

 

[SWUtah]

I've always believed in ust having the fuel system professionaly cleaned. Never noticed any problems

 

[2001LC]

Warning don't try this on your own: My parking brake works really well, so I set while in drive, got out and walk around to find vibration sound was coming from rack. Some consider this to dangerous, as brake could slip.

My idle also would drop to ~600, the 44K and disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes did the most to cure this for me. The 44k alone was not enough, but did noticeable help with D vib. You may want too try disconnecting battery, to see if any benefit while waiting for the 44K.

I do annual pre winter general tune-up and making sure all vacuum lines are in good condition, including the PCV value/grommet. I recently replaced fuel filter and flushed transmission & PS, but wasn't experiencing the D vib anymore so can't say if it was a contributor.

Note: I've been unhappy with gas from Shell; price and performance issues like D vib & MPG, every since they changed from Philips 66 ownership. Interesting; A BG rep. told me he uses 44k in every tank with no concern of damage, as it is not a solvent.

 

[RND1]

Thanks 2001LC - I will check my roof rack to see if that's what's actually vibrating. Interesting about disconnecting the battery. Coincidence or not, I recently put in a new Toyota battery and the next day I pulled the LC around the back yard to build a zip line with my kids. Naturally, it was dark by 5pm so turned on the headlights. I had the lights on for probably an hour and they showed no signs of dimming, but when I went to start the LC, it was dead. Put my trickle charger on it and it said battery was at 0%! Charged it overnight and everything has been fine, but the "D" vib started the next day. It also got very cold the next day too.

 

[PADDO]

Thanks 2001LC - I will check my roof rack to see if that's what's actually vibrating. Interesting about disconnecting the battery. Coincidence or not, I recently put in a new Toyota battery and the next day I pulled the LC around the back yard to build a zip line with my kids. Naturally, it was dark by 5pm so turned on the headlights. I had the lights on for probably an hour and they showed no signs of dimming, but when I went to start the LC, it was dead. Put my trickle charger on it and it said battery was at 0%! Charged it overnight and everything has been fine, but the "D" vib started the next day. It also got very cold the next day too.

The dead battery most likely allowed the ECU memory to clear, your vehicle needs to relearn its idle sweet spot. Did you notice any change in the transmission shift pattern too? It has driving pattern memory, though I'm not sure if a flat battery/battery disconnect clears it too.

 

[2001LC]

Interesting, but battery may have keep enough current to maintain ECU codes, how much current is beyond my knowledge of ECU rest. Did you reset the radio and clock after battery install, then need to do again after battery drained? Keep in mind that just a monetarily disconnect and radio & clock need reset and trip miles are lost. Whereas FSM states to discount for ~30 minutes IIRC to rest ECU.

I found that a good cleaning/waxing and vibration sound increased. This was do to roof rack moving easier with cleaning/waxing. On cold days even more apparent with metal contraction as opposed to hot day with metal expansion.

 

[RND1]

The dead battery most likely allowed the ECU memory to clear, your vehicle needs to relearn its idle sweet spot. Did you notice any change in the transmission shift pattern too? It has driving pattern memory, though I'm not sure if a flat battery/battery disconnect clears it too.

No, can't say I've noticed a change in shift pattern. Just a loss in performance, about a 10% drop in fuel econ, and the "D" vibration.

Interesting, but battery may have keep enough current to maintain ECU codes, how much current is beyond my knowledge of ECU rest. Did you reset the radio and clock after battery install, then need to do again after battery drained? Keep in mind that just a monetarily disconnect and radio & clock need reset and trip miles are lost. Whereas FSM states to discount for ~30 minutes IIRC to rest ECU.

I found that a good cleaning/waxing and vibration sound increased. This was do to roof rack moving easier with cleaning/waxing. On cold days even more apparent with metal contraction as opposed to hot day with metal expansion.

I'm assuming the '03+ are different from '98-'02 as I never had to reset my clock or radio when I replaced the battery or when the battery died after leaving headlights on. Thought this was a nice feature I will disconnect the battery tonight for 30 min and report back.