In the heat of summer, with outside temps averaging above 100 deg. I get my best gas mileage. In the winter, with temps averaging below 40 deg the gas mileage drops way off. Denser air means more fuel needed. So, unless you are on the race track and have unlimited funds for fuel, why do you need the cold air intake?

 

It would make more sense to cool the air at the IC, then at the inital intake. Although, increase in density from intake, means that much more passing in-front of the IC.

 

You're forgetting about the oxygenated gas that's prevalent in the wintertime. That kills gas milage for everyone, period.

Later
Allex

 

XXL, you've been around long enough to realize that anyone with a scientific or engineering background are nerds that wear their pants high and use pocket protectors! Them kinda people also don't know that the HHR is exempt from any "laws" of science and engineering! Oh, without going back to your informative post, I think you may have forgotten to mention heat of compression, other than PV = nRT, which very few here understand.

Asanti hit the nail on the head about oxigenated fuel, plus during cold weather, mixture will be richer during warmup. Most noticeable with short trip driving.

Re: "Denser air means more fuel needed."..... You've missed the point, dude! Let's say you're cruising down the road at 65 MPH.... To overcome rolling and wind resistance it will take XX amount of power to maintain that speed. That amount of power will take XX amount of air MASS (mass will be less at higher temps; higher at lower temps for the same volume). To match the stoic AFR, the correct amount of gas will be injected, based upon mass. The absolute only thing that will change is the amount of throttle opening needed to achieve that mass. And that will be a very small difference. Bottom line: Air density will not effect fuel mileage!