Do I get better performance in this cold weather?

[dsuk]

Once the engine has warmed up do I get better performance in sub zero temperatures?


And if so how much?

[anonymous-user]

Yes, as cold air is denser.

How much you would gain exactly depends on a magnitude of factors.

[kambites]

You will have more power; you will also have less grip which makes it feel like you have even more power.

[delboy735]

Turbos like cold air.

[J4CKO]

My 350Z feels quite a bit more perky, actually felt properly rapid on the way home tonight, as in didnt feel like it needed to be faster, partially I think down to it being nearly dark and on narrow roads.

[Claudia Skies]

Yes, and increased moisture in the air can also be a benefit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_injection_(engi...

[Baz Tench]

I thought this too.

My M3 seems very sharp at the moment, probably due to having just had a fairly major service together with the cold air temperatures (although, I've always thought damp conditions created denser air, hence more perky acceleration).

[IntriguedUser]

delboy735 said:

Turbos like cold air.

I always though F/I motors were less effected/affected (Don't care) by OAT?

But yes, colder air is more dense, I love going out for a drive at night, really feel the difference.

[john banks]

The answer is more boring than gas laws and the properties of combustion on most cars now and boils down to how the engine management is setup. Many make consistency and component protection their aims, not your fun.

[xRIEx]

279 said:

Yes, as cold air is denser.

How much you would gain exactly depends on a magnitude of factors.

Would power gains not be countered somewhat by the denser air increasing drag/air displacement?

[john banks]

If you are at top speed which is drag limited (rather than gearing or speed limited) the effect might be significant, but if the engine management allowed it there is in a knock limited engine a gain not just from the extra air density but also ignition timing closer to optimal which increases the BMEP per unit of air mass ingested.

[Nedzilla]

I noticed it the most when I had a Sierra cosworth many years ago. It was a stage 1 car with around 270 bhp but the difference between a hot summer day and a cold crisp winter day felt quite considerable.

[Mave]

IntriguedUser said:

I always though F/I motors were less effected/affected (Don't care) by OAT?

But yes, colder air is more dense, I love going out for a drive at night, really feel the difference.

More mass flow, lower power required to compress the air per mass flow, and better cooling through the intercooler :-)