hypermiling to improve gas mileage Hypermilers: drivers who exceed the EPA estimated fuel efficiency on their vehicles by modifying their driving habits
hypermiling
hypermiling conserving fuel
 
 
 

Hypermiling: Top 10 Ways to Increase Your Vehicle’s Fuel Efficiency
 
As the price for fuel increases with each passing week, some have decided to offset the rising costs of filling their tanks by practicing what is known as hypermiling. Hypermilers can be defined as those who seek to better their vehicle’s EPA fuel efficiency rating by altering their driving habits. The term hypermiler derives from hybrid vehicle driving clubs, more specifically Wayne Gerdes, aka The Father of Hypermiling, who coined the term.
 
There are myriad techniques for increasing the fuel efficiency of one’s vehicle. Each method helps to increase a vehicle’s mileage while also, in many cases, prolonging the life the vehicle itself. Here follows the top 10 ways to increase your vehicle’s fuel efficiency by increasing its mileage and decreasing fuel consumption:
 
1. Maintenance: Be sure to fill your tires to their maximum recommended capacity. Also, use low viscosity (low weight) motor oil filled to only the low-level mark. Regular checks and maintenance in general will always contribute to greater fuel efficiency.
2. Stop Speeding: While each vehicle’s optimal speed varies, usually it is in the 35-55 mph range. Practically speaking, the harder you push the pedal, the more fuel your vehicle consumes. In highway situations, cruise control can be used to effectively achieve a constant speed.
3. Modified Braking: Aim to keep braking at an absolute minimum. Fuel consumption increases whenever there is extensive acceleration and deceleration; therefore, attempt to prepare for and time events such as stopping, slowing down, accelerating, etc., so as to provide for a more consistent overall speed and thus less fuel consumption. For example, upon seeing a red traffic light ahead, try to arrive at the light as it turns green which will minimize breaking.
4. Coasting: To be used as an alternative to modified braking, coasting is the most fuel efficient method of slowing a vehicle. Examples of coasting would be taking one’s foot off the pedal/brake while going down a hill, or doing the same while approaching a red traffic light. Although quite controversial and potentially dangerous, coasting with the engine off allows for even greater fuel efficiency.
5. Fuel Consumption Gauge: The more one knows about how one’s vehicle consumes fuel, the better one can fine-tune one’s habits. While many post 1996 vehicles come with some kind of on-board diagnostics system, many do not sufficiently do the job. Having a product such as ScanGauge or DashDyno SPD will allow one to instantaneously know one’s driving is affecting has mileage. This knowledge is fundamental in the fight for greater fuel efficiency.
6. Drafting: Though potentially quite risky, drafting, or driving close enough to the vehicle ahead so as to decrease the amount of wind resistance or drag on the vehicle, can dramatically increase fuel efficiency.
7. Always Turn Off the Vehicle: Contrary to common belief, idling the car while making a brief stop actually burns more fuel than simply parking and turning off the engine.
8. Stick Shift (Manual Transmission): Changing to a stick allows one to more readily learn hypermiling techniques since one has greater control over the vehicle. Stick expertise can also eliminate the waste that some automatic transmissions inflict on fuel consumption.
9. Clean Out the Vehicle: Any extra weight in the vehicle renders the engine’s job that much more difficult. Reduce the load by cleaning out those unneeded clothes, books, etc. and enjoy greater gas mileage.
10. Roll Down the Windows: Air-conditioning can increase fuel consumption by up to 10%. Roll down the windows and let the air flow through your hair knowing that with each mile traveled you are saving money in these trying economic times.
 
 
 
 
 
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Hypermilers: drivers who exceed the EPA estimated fuel efficiency on their vehicles by modifying their driving habits