The difference in gas mileage is almost certainly due to winter blend fuel, which has a lower energy density than summer blend.

In the case of your own fried/ludicrous mode example, leaving the steak out at room temperature for even a few hours has basically no effect. It takes a long time for the bulk of the steak to warm any appreciable amount.

https://www.seriouseats.com/old-wives-tales-about-cooking-steak#toc-myth-1-you-should-let-a-thick-steak-rest-at-room-temperature-before-you-cook-it

“After the first 20 minutes—the time that many chefs and books will recommend you let a steak rest at room temperature—the center of the steak had risen…not even a full two degrees…After 1 hour and 50 minutes, the steak was up to 49.6°F in the center”

My dog has fairly recently gone deaf, and the only tiny silver lining is that he’s been completely unfazed by the fireworks we’ve been getting for the past week around us. Good luck tonight!