Honda Car Forum

We all know that cold weather cuts into fuel economy, but is there
something that can be added/modified to trick the computer into
thinking that the ambient (outside, environmental) temperature is
actually above 70 degerees F ?

I am particularly interested for my 93 EX.

Thanks again.

septicman@peoplepc.com wrote:
> We all know that cold weather cuts into fuel economy, but is there
> something that can be added/modified to trick the computer into
> thinking that the ambient (outside, environmental) temperature is
> actually above 70 degerees F ?
>
> I am particularly interested for my 93 EX.
>
> Thanks again.
i,
Even if you trick it that way COLD engine block will cause engine stall
or rough idle at best. Just drive as soon as you start the car to warm
it up fast, Or use a block heater with timer. It's been -30C temp. here
all week with snow. I am thankful if my car starts. Wife and son's car
is parked in the garage and mine is ouside. I should've had 3 car garage
when house was built.

<septicman@peoplepc.com> wrote
> We all know that cold weather cuts into fuel economy, but
> is there
> something that can be added/modified to trick the computer
> into
> thinking that the ambient (outside, environmental)
> temperature is
> actually above 70 degerees F ?
>
> I am particularly interested for my 93 EX.

What are you hoping to get the computer to order?

Getting your engine up to normal operating temperature
quickly via a high idle RPM at start up is going to optimize
fuel efficiency.

You could rig up a block heater of some kind. Or your Honda
may already be set up for an oil dipstick heater or similar.
Ask if you want more info.

To optimize fuel efficiency, try all the tips listed at
http://honda.lioness.googlepages.com/gasmileagetips

On Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:35:32 -0800 (PST), septicman@peoplepc.com <septicman@peoplepc.com> wrote:
>We all know that cold weather cuts into fuel economy, but is there
>something that can be added/modified to trick the computer into
>thinking that the ambient (outside, environmental) temperature is
>actually above 70 degerees F ?

Nothing you tell the computer is going to change the laws of physics.

If you "trick" the computer into thinking it is above 70, it'll
provide the wrong fuel mixture, and you're engine will sputter out
and die. Is a stopped engine your idea of a fuel economy improvement?
It sure won't be using up much gas.

Drive the car to florida if you really want to have it think that it is
warmer.

AZ Nomad wrote:
> On Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:35:32 -0800 (PST), septicman@peoplepc.com <septicman@peoplepc.com> wrote:
>> We all know that cold weather cuts into fuel economy, but is there
>> something that can be added/modified to trick the computer into
>> thinking that the ambient (outside, environmental) temperature is
>> actually above 70 degerees F ?
>
> Nothing you tell the computer is going to change the laws of physics.
>
> If you "trick" the computer into thinking it is above 70, it'll
> provide the wrong fuel mixture, and you're engine will sputter out
> and die. Is a stopped engine your idea of a fuel economy improvement?
> It sure won't be using up much gas.
>
> Drive the car to florida if you really want to have it think that it is
> warmer.
Hi,
Septic thought from septicman, LOL!

Ethano also mandated in winter but not summer.

I average 35 in summer and 32 in winter.
Beside ethanol dilution, I do more road trips in summer (40 mpg).

"septicman@peoplepc.com" <septicman@peoplepc.com> wrote in news:96b906f5-
84eb-4a6c-b351-50cb2aebb330@z6g2000pre.googlegroups.com:

> We all know that cold weather cuts into fuel economy, but is there
> something that can be added/modified to trick the computer into
> thinking that the ambient (outside, environmental) temperature is
> actually above 70 degerees F ?



"Trick" the computer into thinking ambient is 70? That's the same as
"tricking" yourself into thinking your house is 70 by heating the
thermostat with a blow dryer.


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

septicman@peoplepc.com wrote:

> We all know that cold weather cuts into fuel economy, but is there
> something that can be added/modified to trick the computer into
> thinking that the ambient (outside, environmental) temperature is
> actually above 70 degerees F ?
>
> I am particularly interested for my 93 EX.
>
> Thanks again.


As stated, any big 'tricks' played on the ECU will just cause poor
running. A block heater, running a few hours each morning, will greatly
reduce warm-up time. Running synthetic oil will improve cold weather
starting and lubrication, and fractionally reduce friction while then
engine warms up.

On Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:05:50 -0700, Greg Campbell <nospam@null.net> wrote:
>septicman@peoplepc.com wrote:

>> We all know that cold weather cuts into fuel economy, but is there
>> something that can be added/modified to trick the computer into
>> thinking that the ambient (outside, environmental) temperature is
>> actually above 70 degerees F ?
>>
>> I am particularly interested for my 93 EX.
>>
>> Thanks again.


>As stated, any big 'tricks' played on the ECU will just cause poor
>running. A block heater, running a few hours each morning, will greatly
>reduce warm-up time. Running synthetic oil will improve cold weather
>starting and lubrication, and fractionally reduce friction while then
>engine warms up.

and as another poster mentioned, make sure the thermostat is working.
A defective thermostat can keep an engine from ever warming up.

AZ Nomad <aznomad.3@PremoveOBthisOX.COM> wrote in
news:slrngklina.al.aznomad.3@ip70-176-155-130.ph.ph.cox.net:

> On Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:05:50 -0700, Greg Campbell <nospam@null.net>
> wrote:
>>septicman@peoplepc.com wrote:
>
>>> We all know that cold weather cuts into fuel economy, but is there
>>> something that can be added/modified to trick the computer into
>>> thinking that the ambient (outside, environmental) temperature is
>>> actually above 70 degerees F ?
>>>
>>> I am particularly interested for my 93 EX.
>>>
>>> Thanks again.
>
>
>>As stated, any big 'tricks' played on the ECU will just cause poor
>>running. A block heater, running a few hours each morning, will
>>greatly reduce warm-up time. Running synthetic oil will improve cold
>>weather starting and lubrication, and fractionally reduce friction
>>while then engine warms up.
>
> and as another poster mentioned, make sure the thermostat is working.



You mean me? I didn't say anything about the /car's/ thermostat. Nor did I
say anything about /any/ thermostat working.



--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/