Hypermiling: a new idea or a reborn idea to save gas?
Have you heard about the new trend that is taking the roads by storm? It’s called “hypermiling,” which is the fine art of using all kinds of tips, tricks, and driving techniques to squeeze every last ounce of fuel efficiency out of your car.
And with gasoline prices at an all-time high, this trend is gaining momentum.
Hypermiling has been the subject of reports from major publications and media outlets from Forbes to NBC, and is talked about in car and driver forums all over the internet.
Is all the talk about Hypermiling really revolving around a new idea, or is it an idea that was reborn in 2008 with the same gas-saving tips we’ve been hearing since World War II?
During the 1940s and 1950s, when a world war made gas rationing a part of everyday life, getting good gas mileage was a major concern for most drivers. These techniques for getting better fuel economy during and after gas rationing have then become standards that have stood the test of time. You probably already know most of them. . .
Make sure your tires are properly inflated to the manufacturer’s suggested psi (pounds per square inch). Underinflated tires can reduce your car’s gas mileage and create a safety hazard.
Remove excess weight from the trunk of your car. This can help you get better gas mileage. The more weight your engine has to carry, the more fuel it will burn.
Faster is not better, although the other guy will get there before you, he will definitely have to fill up the gas pump more often. Driving at the speed limit is not just a smart choice for safety reasons; It will help you burn less gasoline. Driving sensibly by using smooth acceleration and braking will go a long way in getting better fuel economy for your vehicle.
On long trips, use your cruise control if you have it. You’ll get better gas mileage and can save an average of 7% in fuel consumption.
When you are driving, use your common sense. Don’t let your car idle excessively; Don’t waste gas speeding up to red lights and stop signs only to have to hit the brakes to stop. Stay up to date on the maintenance of your vehicles.
They embrace all of these ideas; But if you take a closer look at hypermiling, there’s more to it than just repeating the tried-and-true techniques.
If you’re a true hypermilener, then you’re obsessed with squeezing every last mile out of every gallon of gas. They are relentless in finding techniques and tactics, putting them to the test, getting rid of what doesn’t work, and working to refine the results.
Many hypermilers consider it routine to get 30 to 50 mpg on gas. And with all their experimentation and documentation, there are plenty of fine-tuned techniques for improving gas mileage.
If you think some of the hypermiling techniques are easy and it involves driving like a 90 year old nun then you should think again. Some of the techniques are so dangerous that even avid hypermilers will tell you to go to a professional driving instructor to learn them. Skills like project driving other vehicles are too dangerous for you and the other drivers on the road to be considered learn-as-you-go projects.