Winter driving

There are numerous factors that contribute to worse fuel economy in cold weather, and most have nothing to do with the engine.

Many have to do with the fact that a richer fuel mixture is required when an engine is cold, and even more so when it’s cold outside.

An increasing number of vehicles with sticker prices of $40,000 or less, some much less, offer heated mirrors.

Wheel warming has gone mainstream, with the feature standard or optional not just on luxury vehicles, but on an increasing number of models with sticker prices of $40,000 or less.

Done when it’s quite cold or hot outside, preconditioning heats or cools the battery to a more moderate temperature that allows it to charge and deliver electricity more quickly.

As expected, electric driving range was devastated in zero-degree temperatures, but the cold weather affected more than just range.

While our Tesla Model Y’s range certainly dropped in colder temperatures, it didn’t fall off a cliff; more like it tumbled down a berm.

Subzero temperatures can distort the backup camera images shown on dashboard screens or, as some owners report, cause the system to conk out entirely.

Winter weather throws some chilling challenges at motorists — and we know you have questions about preparing your car for winter.

With EVs, when the temps drop, driving range drops — sometimes by a lot. It’s important to understand your EV’s range limitations and the need to charge more often in cold weather.