# Does cold weather affect hybrids more than non hybrids?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/does-cold-weather-affect-hybrids-more-than-non-hybrids/43371>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [January 28, 2010, 8:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/does-cold-weather-affect-hybrids-more-than-non-hybrids/43371 "2010-01-28T20:23:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\
**Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 8:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/does-cold-weather-affect-hybrids-more-than-non-hybrids/43371/1 "2010-01-28T20:23:02Z")

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Is the mileage on hybrids affected more by cold weather than on non hybrids?  
  
  
  
 My thinking is that since some hybrid setups only fire up the engine when the power is needed or the battery needs charging, does the engine operate a larger proportion of its operating time at less than full operating temp.  
  
  
  
 What say you all.  
  
  
  
 And for those who own hynrids, what has been your experience?

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**Author:** ![mshugna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce73a5/32.png) [@mshugna](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mshugna)\
**Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 8:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/does-cold-weather-affect-hybrids-more-than-non-hybrids/43371/2 "2010-01-28T20:37:33Z")

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need engine for heater in winter…that would be the obvious difference between a hybrid and non-hybrid with respect cold and warm weather gas mileage (other than snow tires).

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**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 11:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/does-cold-weather-affect-hybrids-more-than-non-hybrids/43371/3 "2010-01-28T23:10:23Z")

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Yes. Especially on short trips. They need to run the gasoline engine to get heat. During that time you don’t have a hybrid capability.

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 11:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/does-cold-weather-affect-hybrids-more-than-non-hybrids/43371/4 "2010-01-28T23:12:37Z")

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I’d also think the lower power output of cold batteries would mean the mpgs would take a hit.