[to3m]

My car is markedly less efficient in winter on short trips, even though England doesn't moves vertically with the seasons. Over longer journeys this phenomenon is much less of a problem.

The engine's preferred operating temperature is much higher than any reasonable air temperature, and until that point is reached the engine oil will be less lubricative and the fuel (particularly in the case of diesel) less inclined to combust. It will naturally take longer to reach that preferred temperature when it is cold outside, because not only is the air cold but the engine is also this big lump of cold metal, absorbing the heat of combustion and pulling it away from the cylinder where it is needed.