Hypermiling to Save Gas (and Money!)

[buckel248]

question: isn't it bad for your car not to warm it up?

Actually, modern cars work just fine w/o warming the engine up.

Here's a list I wrote for another site:

1. Vehicle maintenance: Keep your oil changes current, and check your tire pressure every week. Less friction = less gasoline usage.
2. Get ready before you start your car: Every second you spend adjusting your mirrors and putting on your seatbelt while your car is running is a second you’re getting zero mpg.
3. Accelerate slowly: Heavy acceleration = heavy gas usage.
4. Don’t speed: Speeding during city driving doesn’t save time! The faster you drive, the more gas you use. For every mph over 55, you lose 2% mpg. No expensive tickets or rises in car insurance, either.
5. No tailgating: Tailgating causes you to brake more often, which in turn makes you accelerate more often.
6. Time stoplights: It takes much less energy to make a vehicle accelerate from a slow roll then from a full stop. When approaching a red light, slow down well in advance, and try to keep rolling until it turns green (even if it’s only a few mph).
7. Parking: Don’t waste time looking for a parking spot. Instead, take the first spot you find and walk in. The same goes for the drive-through. This slow speed, stop and go driving kills your mpg.
8. Air conditioning or open windows: Some will advocate for neither, but it’s my belief that if you’re uncomfortable, you’ll stop using these techniques altogether. I personally will not drive around Chicago during the summer without my A/C for any amount of money. Be comfortable.
9. Cruise Control: My biggest increase in mpg began when I started driving with my cruise control. When your car hits 25 mph, engage the cruise. Use the controls to accelerate and decelerate. This eliminates the tendency of your foot to go up and down while driving. It also moderates your acceleration. It only takes about one tank of gas to get used to.
10. Coasting: Putting your car in neutral and shutting off the ignition is dangerous and against the law. Don’t risk your safety
11. Drafting: Some Hypermilers will advocate drafting off trucks to save gas. Have you ever seen a photo of a car after it hit the back of a semi at highway speed? No amount of money is worth your life.

[wackie]

The biggest saver for me is making sure my tires are inflated to the max pressure recommended. A very noticeable difference in mpg!