Posted: Jan 06 2008 at 5:22pm | IP Logged

mtbmike wrote: CajunJosh If you are concerned about gas mileage be warned that in the winter with the heater on the Frontier really SUCKS the gas.

I've seen this comment three times in this thread. What possible effect could running the heater have on gas mileage?! All you're doing is diverting engine heat away from the cooling system into the cabin!

Posted: Jan 06 2008 at 11:52pm | IP Logged

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Paris !;

... You are correct!  I most places they have a winter-grade gasoline with a lower vaporization rating.

Posted: Jan 07 2008 at 1:11pm | IP Logged

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10. I most places they have a winter-grade gasoline with a lower vaporization rating.

9. Running the defrost and heater function (which sometimes activates the A/C compressor) would affect mileage.

8. Torque Converter lock-up system does not work when cold to reduce RPM and save fuel.

7. Engines are fed and burn more fuel the colder they are, similar the old choke systems.

6. Cold lubricants in the running gear are thicker creating more friction.

5. Engines have dissimilar metals that create extra friction when not at proper running temperature.

4. Tire pressures are reduced buy colder temperatures.

3. Due to contraction of the fuel being cold a larger volume is injected into the engine.

2.. A short warm-up is good for the engine parts but reduces fuel mileage.

1. Many areas are still in the process of forcing the public to use 10% corn Ethanol and it reduces fuel mileage.

Constructive critiques and suggestions are more than welcome.

Posted: Jan 07 2008 at 10:38pm | IP Logged

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Boomer;

I believe it is vaporization point low and vapor pressure high for winter fuel.

By Jove I think we're both right!

GASOLINE 101 b

http://groups.msn.com/JEEPTECH101/jeeptech.msnw?action=get_m essage&mview=1&ID_Message=160&LastModified=46754 60709314398536

Vaporization

. NOTE. Gasoline will vaporize/boil at some where between 130f and 430f degrees at sea level.

Gasoline formulas are changed seasonally and local to local. Examples: winter grade gasoline will have a lower vaporizing point and gasoline for high altitudes will be a lower octane ratings. Gasoline is very sensitive to temperature for proper atomization. Winter grade gasoline would cause an increase in vapor lock problems in the summertime. Gasoline does not burn. The vapor of the gasoline burns very rapidly!

Driveability is the term used to describe how an engine starts, warms up and runs. It is the assessment of a vehicle's response to the accelerator, relative to what the driver expects. Driveability problems include: hard starting, backfiring, rough idle, poor throttle response and stalling (at idle, under load or when decelerating).

The key gasoline characteristic for good driveability is volatility — the gasoline's tendency to vaporize. Volatility is important because liquids and solids don't burn; only vapors burn. When a liquid appears to be burning, actually it is the invisible vapor above the surface that is burning. This rule holds true in the combustion chamber of an engine; gasoline must be vaporized before it can burn. In cold weather, gasoline is blended to vaporize easily. This allows an engine to start quickly and run smoothly until it is warm. In warm weather, gasoline is blended to vaporize less easily to prevent vapor lock and minimize evaporation, which contributes to air pollution.

It is important to note that there is no single best volatility for gasoline. Volatility must be adjusted for the altitude and seasonal temperature of the location where the gasoline will be used. Later, this chapter will explain how the gasoline specification addresses this requirement.

Three properties are used to measure gasoline volatility: vapor pressure, distillation profile and vapor-liquid ratio. A fourth property, driveability index, is calculated from the distillation profile.

Vapor Pressure

Vapor Pressure is the single most important property for cold-start and warmup driveability. (Cold-start means that the engine is at ambient temperature, not that the ambient temperature is cold.) When the gasoline's vapor pressure is low, the engine may have to be cranked a long time before it starts. When it is extremely low, the engine may not start at all. Engines with port fuel injection appear to start more readily with low vapor pressure fuel than carbureted engines.

GASOLINE 202   More Gasoline info.

Y'all read up.. We'll give a test at the end of the week!

Posted: Jan 20 2008 at 4:23pm | IP Logged

OK.  I bought an '07 CC LE Long Bed. 

Love it!  I'm getting around 19 MPG this winter traveling 85% highway.  I didn't expect to get 25 MPG, and don't really care if another truck is getting 20 while I'm getting 19, that is probably just driving habit (I travel around 75 on the highway and frequently change speeds when a car in front of me sees an officer of the law and jams it down to 15 below the limit!!!).

As to overall impression, I couldn't be much happier.  Sure it makes a few noises, so does our Honda Accord.  Yes it rides a little rough sometimes, it is a truck. 

The seating was a big seller for me.  As mentioned above, the Toyota Tacoma had my legs out front, almost perpendicular to body, meaning my whole leg.  The Fronty gives me a more traditional chair formation, which saved my back (I noticed a slight lower back pain after my commute with our Accord - same seating as the Taco).

I don't think you can make a really bad decision (unless you get the 5 cyclinder Canyon) so sit back and test drive and be honest with yourself which really fits you best.  And then enjoy it!