ESP and fuel efficiency
 

i know this sounds crazy, but it there any chance that driving with
the ESP engaged reduces fuel efficiency?

my fuel numbers are down since we've had ice and snow and i've been
more apt to drive with ESP engaged.

am i just seeing things? or is this possible?

Re: ESP and fuel efficiency
 

<tockeyhockey@gmail.com> wrote
>i know this sounds crazy, but it there any chance that driving with
> the ESP engaged reduces fuel efficiency?
>
> my fuel numbers are down since we've had ice and snow and i've been
> more apt to drive with ESP engaged.
>
> am i just seeing things? or is this possible?

I don't see a connection. Is it possible that the reduced mpg you're
observing has to do with overall lower ambient temps (engine takes
longer to warm up, and until it does, it is less efficient) and/or the
use of winter gas?

Also, what do you mean by "i've been more apt to drive with ESP
engaged"? The ESP is engaged by default and requires you to push the
button to defeat it (and when it is defeated, an icon will light up on
your dashboard). Are you saying that when there is no ice and snow, you
press that ESP button every time you start the car? Just curious. I
used to shut mine off most of the time too, as I felt the ESP was
bogging the car down in 1st gear in my b5 a4 1.8tq.

Pete

Re: ESP and fuel efficiency
 

<tockeyhockey@gmail.com> wrote
>i know this sounds crazy, but it there any chance that driving with
> the ESP engaged reduces fuel efficiency?
>
> my fuel numbers are down since we've had ice and snow and i've been
> more apt to drive with ESP engaged.
>
> am i just seeing things? or is this possible?

I don't see a connection. Is it possible that the reduced mpg you're
observing has to do with overall lower ambient temps (engine takes
longer to warm up, and until it does, it is less efficient) and/or the
use of winter gas?

Also, what do you mean by "i've been more apt to drive with ESP
engaged"? The ESP is engaged by default and requires you to push the
button to defeat it (and when it is defeated, an icon will light up on
your dashboard). Are you saying that when there is no ice and snow, you
press that ESP button every time you start the car? Just curious. I
used to shut mine off most of the time too, as I felt the ESP was
bogging the car down in 1st gear in my b5 a4 1.8tq.

Pete

Re: ESP and fuel efficiency
 

<tockeyhockey@gmail.com> wrote
>i know this sounds crazy, but it there any chance that driving with
> the ESP engaged reduces fuel efficiency?
>
> my fuel numbers are down since we've had ice and snow and i've been
> more apt to drive with ESP engaged.
>
> am i just seeing things? or is this possible?

I don't see a connection. Is it possible that the reduced mpg you're
observing has to do with overall lower ambient temps (engine takes
longer to warm up, and until it does, it is less efficient) and/or the
use of winter gas?

Also, what do you mean by "i've been more apt to drive with ESP
engaged"? The ESP is engaged by default and requires you to push the
button to defeat it (and when it is defeated, an icon will light up on
your dashboard). Are you saying that when there is no ice and snow, you
press that ESP button every time you start the car? Just curious. I
used to shut mine off most of the time too, as I felt the ESP was
bogging the car down in 1st gear in my b5 a4 1.8tq.

Pete

Re: ESP and fuel efficiency
 

<tockeyhockey@gmail.com> wrote
>i know this sounds crazy, but it there any chance that driving with
> the ESP engaged reduces fuel efficiency?
>
> my fuel numbers are down since we've had ice and snow and i've been
> more apt to drive with ESP engaged.
>
> am i just seeing things? or is this possible?

I don't see a connection. Is it possible that the reduced mpg you're
observing has to do with overall lower ambient temps (engine takes
longer to warm up, and until it does, it is less efficient) and/or the
use of winter gas?

Also, what do you mean by "i've been more apt to drive with ESP
engaged"? The ESP is engaged by default and requires you to push the
button to defeat it (and when it is defeated, an icon will light up on
your dashboard). Are you saying that when there is no ice and snow, you
press that ESP button every time you start the car? Just curious. I
used to shut mine off most of the time too, as I felt the ESP was
bogging the car down in 1st gear in my b5 a4 1.8tq.

Pete

Re: ESP and fuel efficiency
 

On 4 Feb 2007 11:35:36 -0800, "tockeyhockey@gmail.com"
<tockeyhockey@gmail.com> wrote:

>i know this sounds crazy, but it there any chance that driving with
>the ESP engaged reduces fuel efficiency?
>
>my fuel numbers are down since we've had ice and snow and i've been
>more apt to drive with ESP engaged.
>
>am i just seeing things? or is this possible?

No doubt you're seeing lower mileage, but I really doubt it has anything to do
with the car per se. Cold weather increases energy losses from heating up the
block to stiffer tranny and differential lubes. And, depending on where you
are located, fuel blends may be modified for emissions reasons (eg: alcohol
added as an oxygenator) during winter, which will definitely cut your mileage.

I notice roughly a 2 mpg hit during winter vs summer (and on the same S03
tires - I have other vehicles for snowy roadways). And my car doesn't even
have ESP (that showed up on '01 production S4s)...

/daytripper
'00 s4 6spd

Re: ESP and fuel efficiency
 

On 4 Feb 2007 11:35:36 -0800, "tockeyhockey@gmail.com"
<tockeyhockey@gmail.com> wrote:

>i know this sounds crazy, but it there any chance that driving with
>the ESP engaged reduces fuel efficiency?
>
>my fuel numbers are down since we've had ice and snow and i've been
>more apt to drive with ESP engaged.
>
>am i just seeing things? or is this possible?

No doubt you're seeing lower mileage, but I really doubt it has anything to do
with the car per se. Cold weather increases energy losses from heating up the
block to stiffer tranny and differential lubes. And, depending on where you
are located, fuel blends may be modified for emissions reasons (eg: alcohol
added as an oxygenator) during winter, which will definitely cut your mileage.

I notice roughly a 2 mpg hit during winter vs summer (and on the same S03
tires - I have other vehicles for snowy roadways). And my car doesn't even
have ESP (that showed up on '01 production S4s)...

/daytripper
'00 s4 6spd

Re: ESP and fuel efficiency
 

On 4 Feb 2007 11:35:36 -0800, "tockeyhockey@gmail.com"
<tockeyhockey@gmail.com> wrote:

>i know this sounds crazy, but it there any chance that driving with
>the ESP engaged reduces fuel efficiency?
>
>my fuel numbers are down since we've had ice and snow and i've been
>more apt to drive with ESP engaged.
>
>am i just seeing things? or is this possible?

No doubt you're seeing lower mileage, but I really doubt it has anything to do
with the car per se. Cold weather increases energy losses from heating up the
block to stiffer tranny and differential lubes. And, depending on where you
are located, fuel blends may be modified for emissions reasons (eg: alcohol
added as an oxygenator) during winter, which will definitely cut your mileage.

I notice roughly a 2 mpg hit during winter vs summer (and on the same S03
tires - I have other vehicles for snowy roadways). And my car doesn't even
have ESP (that showed up on '01 production S4s)...

/daytripper
'00 s4 6spd

Re: ESP and fuel efficiency
 

On 4 Feb 2007 11:35:36 -0800, "tockeyhockey@gmail.com"
<tockeyhockey@gmail.com> wrote:

>i know this sounds crazy, but it there any chance that driving with
>the ESP engaged reduces fuel efficiency?
>
>my fuel numbers are down since we've had ice and snow and i've been
>more apt to drive with ESP engaged.
>
>am i just seeing things? or is this possible?

No doubt you're seeing lower mileage, but I really doubt it has anything to do
with the car per se. Cold weather increases energy losses from heating up the
block to stiffer tranny and differential lubes. And, depending on where you
are located, fuel blends may be modified for emissions reasons (eg: alcohol
added as an oxygenator) during winter, which will definitely cut your mileage.

I notice roughly a 2 mpg hit during winter vs summer (and on the same S03
tires - I have other vehicles for snowy roadways). And my car doesn't even
have ESP (that showed up on '01 production S4s)...

/daytripper
'00 s4 6spd

Re: ESP and fuel efficiency
 

On 4 Feb 2007 11:35:36 -0800, "tockeyhockey@gmail.com"
<tockeyhockey@gmail.com> wrote:

>i know this sounds crazy, but it there any chance that driving with
>the ESP engaged reduces fuel efficiency?

You should be driving with esp as a default, i.e. it is always on and
requires you to physically press a button to turn it off. With it
off, you will experience wheel spin in slippery conditions.

I just returned last Sunday from a winter driving school (Tim
O'Neal's) in NH that I gave for Christmas to all my kids, their
husbands, and my grandchildren with drivers' licenses. If I drove my
RS6 with the ESP engaged, it wasn't much fun, and I found it difficult
to get it loose. I made all my runs on the three different exercises
with it off. I was quicker with it on, but the idea of the school was
to hang out the car, lose control (either understeer or oversteer),
and regain it. My son's-in-law Audi 4.2 and my grandson's S4 did not
have ESP. My wife's Lesux has it, but you couldn't turn it off. No
one wanted to drive the Lexus. d;o)

Gas mileage? Mine is always a little less in the cold months,
probably because it takes longer for the engine to warm to efficient
operating temps.

Dave