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104+ hypermiling tips for saving gas and money
ecomodder.com — A lot of these tips are common sense, but a lot more are things you might never think of. Doing at least a few is likely to save you gas and money starting now.
TalSiach- 851 diggs
- digg it
- wonderchemist, on 05/06/2008, -9/+111 digs and the site is overloaded?
- SVOboy, on 05/06/2008, -1/+2It works, the digg link is broken, try this: http://ecomodder.com/forum/hypermiling-driving-tip ...
- maddvibe, on 05/06/2008, -2/+11These are great tips. The more it costs to pay for fuel the more these become relevant and the more people will start paying attention. Best one is probably windows up, I can't tell you how many people I know that roll their windows down thinking they are saving fuel. It can be a challenge convincing them they are really wasting more fuel because of that.
- mwomorris, on 05/06/2008, -2/+5True with windows, but I would say the best one is not driving.
- dawglse, on 05/06/2008, -0/+5no ***** sherlock
- Ajajadude, on 05/06/2008, -0/+17I think the city I live in needs to be taught that designing the traffic light system to DISRUPT the flow of traffic (the words city officials have used) kills fuel economy. My mileage has dropped by about 3 MPG around town since the morons decided it would be a good idea to setup the timing so you stop at every ***** light.
God, it pisses me off. - thashiz, on 05/06/2008, -1/+15Just a note, according to the Mythbusters' tests, air conditioning is only more fuel efficient when the car is moving at 50mph or faster.
- feliks2, on 05/06/2008, -6/+2Reliable sources...
- lbdinh, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1It's pretty warm right now where I live and I'll tell you right now that windows down with AC off is way more fuel efficient than windows up with AC.
- mOdQuArK, on 05/06/2008, -1/+2Up to a certain speed.
- petrodollar, on 05/06/2008, -3/+1"I can't tell you how many people I know that roll their windows down thinking they are saving fuel."
Whoa. There are people who actually think this? Why?!?- masterm1nd, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1Instead of using the AC... but increases drag
- astrotrain, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1"Family... Keep the Windows up, it makes other people think we have air conditioning..."
- Tiny Toons How I Spent My Vacation
- yessuz, on 05/06/2008, -2/+3And what about smaller than 3.0 liter engines?
Americans always are more or less idiots in this case.
"Oh my GOD, prices are so high... What should I do to feed my 5 liter monster"....- feliks2, on 05/06/2008, -0/+9Hmmmm, I think they need to buy a HYBRID 5-liter monster, so that they only consume the equivalent of a 4 litre monster.
- BOFH2, on 05/06/2008, -2/+1I own a 5 liter "monster"; I do not complain about fuel prices. Just a note though, my 1.8 audi A4 got the same gas mileage my truck does. Yes, the audi was running well.
- sancho, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1I bought a truck about 8 years ago. Back then, gas prices were at about $1/gal. I got the truck primarily for the utility, but I can't afford two vehicles, so I also drive it to work.
Now that gas is $3.50/gal, yeah, I'm complaining, but I'm also examining my options. One of the biggest problems is that at 17mpg and no car payment, buying even a used car won't pay for itself for several years, and during that time, my monthly payments will be much higher than I'm paying for gas right now.
But don't think that everyone with a gas guzzler bought it within the last couple of years when gas prices were obviously skyrocketing.
- mwomorris, on 05/06/2008, -2/+5True with windows, but I would say the best one is not driving.
- tbk123, on 05/06/2008, -1/+9I never even thought about luggage racks!
- tbhurst, on 05/06/2008, -1/+4Great resource. Thanks!
- snoopduggydugg, on 05/06/2008, -1/+5These things are always helpful... it's still tough though, considering I drive a pickup..
- swordedge, on 05/06/2008, -0/+10drive it with the tail gate up, mythbusters busted that one.
- legoalert33, on 05/06/2008, -0/+3If you don't believe the real life testing on Mythbusters here is a more documented study published by SAE.
http://ecow.engr.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/getbig/me/363/gh ...
- legoalert33, on 05/06/2008, -0/+3If you don't believe the real life testing on Mythbusters here is a more documented study published by SAE.
- Ajajadude, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1I have an Explored with over 120k miles on it. While I love the fact that I have the cargo room when I need it and that it still runs great, I wish I had the money to spare each month on a car loan so I could get something like a Focus or Corolla and save an assload on gas money.
- petrodollar, on 05/06/2008, -1/+1Toyota was offering 2.9% financing recently. Don't know if it's still available though.
The Focus is trash. But then so is the 2008 Corolla. Get a Fit or a Civic.
- petrodollar, on 05/06/2008, -1/+1Toyota was offering 2.9% financing recently. Don't know if it's still available though.
- davidrools, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1camper shells and, to a lesser degree, bed covers do a good job reducing drag, too
- WillyWonka, on 05/06/2008, -1/+1Actually didn't the mythbusters episode when they revisited it say to put a mesh back on the truck for the best milage?
- Densetsu, on 05/06/2008, -0/+2Do preventative maintenance on your vehicle. Don't drive like a madman.
That'll save you gas *and* extend the lifetime of your vehicle, and that's pretty much all a driver can do with their current vehicle. And hey... if you manage to squeak 15 years out of a vehicle with regular oil changes instead of only 7, you just halved the number of vehicles you'll buy in your lifetime. That's gotta save a ton of energy, too.
- swordedge, on 05/06/2008, -0/+10drive it with the tail gate up, mythbusters busted that one.
- claybodie, on 05/06/2008, -1/+8Wow, the one I never thought about was driving with your lights on. I have an older truck, so I wouldn't be surprised if that makes a difference. It's interesting that "automakers have an exemption from CAFE testing which permits vehicles' fuel economy to be tested with the lights switched off."
- paker, on 05/06/2008, -0/+2I tried explaining this to my local congressman that the lights on a car offset any advantage the new daylight savings time has for saving energy by causing more drag on the alternator, and using more gas in millions of cars because of having to use the car lights 4 weeks longer. He just poo pooed the idea.
- louiebaur, on 05/06/2008, -0/+5Work at home is the way I am going with it
- Fangsinmybeard, on 05/06/2008, -5/+1There many ways to improve gas mileage besides those 104 driving tips, but most are considered corporately illegal and can land you in the grave. However, continuing to raise gas prices out of reach of the labor force will force the majority us to ignore the death threats from those corporate bastards in order to feed our families.
- mwomorris, on 05/06/2008, -0/+4Such as?
- Slices, on 05/06/2008, -1/+3such a nice eulogy to common sense!
- feliks2, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1Very well put.
- jaymzdean, on 05/06/2008, -6/+8Problem is, you'd be breaking a lot of traffic laws.
- darkciti2, on 05/06/2008, -0/+3Most frequently, it's running stop signs. Starting a car from a complete stop takes a lot of energy so keeping the vehicle momentum going is very valuable mileage-wise.
As a hypermiler, the only other one I can think of is running yellow lights (very infrequently, but pushing it). I try to time my lights, but sometimes I don't make it through an intersection before it's yellow.- skidooer, on 05/06/2008, -0/+2I was just wondering yesterday why they don't bring back the yield signs on low traffic intersections? Less than ten years ago they were everywhere. Now they've all been replaced with stop signs.
- cliffdavis, on 05/06/2008, -0/+9Because the average American driver is as confused by a yield sign as they are by a page written in Arabic.
Each morning I go through three intersections with yield signs, and without fail each morning, someone in the line of traffic will come to a complete stop at one for no good reason (usually the one at the top of a hill, no less). These are the same people who drive down a highway on ramp, only to stop, and attempt to enter traffic going ten mph. - petrodollar, on 05/06/2008, -1/+1Who pays any attention to yield signs?
- davidrools, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1same with the "left turn yield on green" intersections...people are too stupid to not follow arrows, even though it's a lot more efficient in moderate to light traffic areas.
- cliffdavis, on 05/06/2008, -0/+9Because the average American driver is as confused by a yield sign as they are by a page written in Arabic.
- skidooer, on 05/06/2008, -0/+2I was just wondering yesterday why they don't bring back the yield signs on low traffic intersections? Less than ten years ago they were everywhere. Now they've all been replaced with stop signs.
- darkciti2, on 05/06/2008, -0/+3Most frequently, it's running stop signs. Starting a car from a complete stop takes a lot of energy so keeping the vehicle momentum going is very valuable mileage-wise.
- swordedge, on 05/06/2008, -3/+10Hypermilers, those are the nuts that take the off ramp at top speed then drive slowly in the right lane.
- swordedge, on 05/06/2008, -6/+3One thing I do in stop and go traffic jams is find an 18 wheeler and drive the exact same speed as him in the next lane over. Those idiots that jump line and change lanes a lot slow things down drastically for the rest of us. By matching speeds, it often causes things in front of you to go faster.
- darkciti2, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1There was an MIT study done on that. It showed that by having one driver go significantly slower than the high speed vehicles, it allowed traffic to "vent" and naturally aspirate. It makes perfect sense in theory, but it will probably suck if you happen to be "simmering (no pun intended)" before the vent happens.
- riot5, on 05/06/2008, -0/+2I hope you're staying out of the truck's blind spots.
- mikhial66, on 05/06/2008, -0/+13All you're doing is slowing down traffic for every one behind you. Having two cars go the same speed next to each other is the most aggravating thing on the road.
- feliks2, on 05/06/2008, -0/+5Seriosly, there seems to be nothing worse than driving behind several slow cars all driving right next to each other when I very clearly want to pass them. The left lane isn't for driving next to trucks, its for going fast and passing people.
- swordedge, on 05/06/2008, -1/+2This is stop and go, NOT highway speeds. When EVERYONE is caught in a jam and going 1 mph, the number one thing that slows everyone down are idiot lane changers. Since it is 100 percent impossible to get the lane changers to be patient, I get in their way.
- feliks2, on 05/06/2008, -0/+2I can accomplish time savings by lane changing in stop and go traffic, you just have to be very familiar and very aware of the traffic patterns around you. This is why this only works in places where you drive a lot, and of course some of the time you end up losing.
- swordedge, on 05/06/2008, -1/+2This is stop and go, NOT highway speeds. When EVERYONE is caught in a jam and going 1 mph, the number one thing that slows everyone down are idiot lane changers. Since it is 100 percent impossible to get the lane changers to be patient, I get in their way.
- feliks2, on 05/06/2008, -0/+5Seriosly, there seems to be nothing worse than driving behind several slow cars all driving right next to each other when I very clearly want to pass them. The left lane isn't for driving next to trucks, its for going fast and passing people.
- habhi, on 05/06/2008, -0/+6I hope girls don't take tip number 4 to heart.
- AngelBunny, on 05/06/2008, -0/+520) Take advantage of the wind
If possible, time trips to take advantage of strong tailwinds. Avoid setting out into strong headwinds/crosswinds.
How would one go about doing this?- darkciti2, on 05/06/2008, -1/+3If it's not possible for you, it doesn't apply to you.
- jefbob, on 05/06/2008, -0/+3I don't see how its possible for anyone? No one can control and/or plan which direction the wind blows and when I have to go somewhere, I have to go somewhere.
- petrodollar, on 05/06/2008, -0/+23Step 1: Live in Nebraska.
Step 2: kill self because you're stuck living in Nebraska. - dafunkmonster, on 05/07/2008, -0/+1If you have to ask, then you're not competent enough to try it.
- darkciti2, on 05/06/2008, -1/+3If it's not possible for you, it doesn't apply to you.
- Jalh, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1thats a huge list, i hope someone could save some money
- darkciti2, on 05/06/2008, -3/+3I own 5 cars (including newer BMW, VW, Scion and a Honda), and I drive my oldest, smallest one to work every day because it gets 50 MPGs. I have better things to spend my money on than fuel.
- santaliqueur, on 05/06/2008, -1/+3Like cars? Here's something you may not know: They RUN on fuel.
- petrodollar, on 05/06/2008, -3/+1Which Scion?
- darkciti2, on 05/06/2008, -3/+3I own 5 cars (including newer BMW, VW, Scion and a Honda), and I drive my oldest, smallest one to work every day because it gets 50 MPGs. I have better things to spend my money on than fuel.
- wrenchone, on 05/06/2008, -4/+28These tips are all well and good, but most take it to such an extreme that they become silly and or dangerous. Clean out your trunk and properly inflate you tires? Sound advice. Plan your drive to take in account a possible headwind? That's impossible and really stupid. Depending on your car, shifting into neutral in an auto will waste more gas than coasting in drive. Shifting into neutral instantly puts the engine in idle since its no longer connected to the wheels and will stall otherwise. Costing in drive keeps the engine turning, and the computer will only engage idle once the rpms dip below idle speeds. Any advice that tells you to turn off your engine while driving is dangerous and should not be taken. No engine means no power steering, enough brake power for ONE stop, and no means to accelerate if needed. Saving 10 cents on your next fill up is not risking your or more importantly MY life.
Use common sense, drive smoothly, and don't have a lead foot you you'll save plenty of gas.- darkciti2, on 05/06/2008, -3/+6Coasting in drive reduces the distance your vehicle will travel on an equivalent amount of burned fuel.
Here's an experiment:
Put your car in neutral as you coast down a large hill, you'll coast much farther than if you leave the gearing system engaged in D rive. Why do you think manuals have ALWAYS gotten better gas mileage than Automatics for the past 40 years?
Your engine won't "stall" and even if it did, by putting the car back in gear it will simply "push-start" the engine. - kolinkoolface2, on 05/06/2008, -4/+1hahahahaha
best line i quoted from you:
"Plan your drive to take in account a possible headwind? That's impossible and really stupid"
hahahahahaha - yessuz, on 05/06/2008, -0/+3try to use smaller engine
- darkciti2, on 05/06/2008, -3/+6Coasting in drive reduces the distance your vehicle will travel on an equivalent amount of burned fuel.
- legoalert33, on 05/06/2008, -2/+4Tailgate a semi truck.
- idavidtang, on 05/06/2008, -1/+3Proof.
http://mythbustersresults.com/episode80- bitbytebit, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1but as usual the mythbuster crew throw out any results that don't match what they are trying to (dis)prove. If they really showed the significant (and it is) savings by tailgating then they would be promoting unsafe driving.
- Pixelpaws, on 05/06/2008, -0/+4Tailgating a semi is just asking to get into an accident. The driver can't see you and you can't see anything around or in front of the rig. Saving fuel isn't worth risking your life.
- idavidtang, on 05/06/2008, -1/+3Proof.
- digjam, on 05/06/2008, -5/+1I doubt how many actually read all 104 "TIPS"
- Kerath, on 05/06/2008, -2/+12105) Mount a spoiler on your trunk. Upside-down.
106) Put a windmill on your roof and wire it to the battery.- santaliqueur, on 05/06/2008, -7/+5106 = no. Drag would counteract any positive effect. Also, the battery is taken care of by the alternator, so there's no need to charge it more. Unless you were joking, in which case, I didn't get it, or you need sarcasm tags.
- Kerath, on 05/06/2008, -1/+10You didn't get it.
- santaliqueur, on 05/06/2008, -0/+10What I did get is that your post exhibited the stupidity of the average Digg user. What I didn't get is that you aren't one of those users :)
- ghostfaceDX, on 05/06/2008, -1/+0Well, what I got out of this is that santaliqueur is an enormous ass jack.
- Kerath, on 05/06/2008, -1/+10You didn't get it.
- santaliqueur, on 05/06/2008, -7/+5106 = no. Drag would counteract any positive effect. Also, the battery is taken care of by the alternator, so there's no need to charge it more. Unless you were joking, in which case, I didn't get it, or you need sarcasm tags.
- idavidtang, on 05/06/2008, -1/+11107) Make speed holes.
- cl2yp71c, on 05/06/2008, -1/+19I honestly thought that 1) was a multiple choice question.
=/ - yaroze, on 05/06/2008, -0/+11Ride a Motorcycle.
- skiltonian, on 05/06/2008, -12/+0Mary Ruwart 2008!
I see that 1heimer is now attacking another candidate with baseless accusations!
http://votemary2008.com - CataKlysmiC, on 05/06/2008, -1/+4BRING A TOWEL!!!
- Ryan166, on 05/06/2008, -9/+11a) Live closer to work;
b) carpool;
c) bicycle;
d) walk;
e) take public transit
I stopped reading right there. How many times is that crap going to be shoved down our throats?- riot5, on 05/06/2008, -1/+1It's pretty much impossible for me to do any of those but a, seeing as how I work out of my van, and not at a desk.
- subliminalurge, on 05/06/2008, -1/+1"Live closer to work"
Looking at the size of houses in the neighborhoods near my office compared to the house I live in, moving closer to work would not only mean spending double for a house what I spent on the one I live in, the increase energy usage for heating and cooling a much larger house would easily negate anything I saved in gasoline consumption. Yes, even if I moved so close that I could walk to work.- sancho, on 05/06/2008, -1/+1I guess that you could live in an apartment. It will probably be cheaper than a mortgage payment, month-to-month.
Suburbs tend to be cheaper because they're less in demand for exactly this reason. Apartments in the city tend to be cheaper than ones further out. "Live closer to work" may help you save on your gas, but it probably won't lower your overall expenditures.- subliminalurge, on 05/06/2008, -2/+1Live in an apartment? Hell ***** no.
My house payment is actually quite a bit less than the rent on a decent 3-bedroom apartment in my city.
I'd lose my yard, I'd lose my garage, I'd lose my basement, I'd have to give up several hobbies.
In addition to the rent on the apartment, I'd also have to pay for a couple of storage units for the stuff that wouldn't fit, along with the added inconvenience of having to drive to said storage unit to retrieve items that I needed to use.
I've paid my apartment dweller dues. I have no desire to go back.
- subliminalurge, on 05/06/2008, -2/+1Live in an apartment? Hell ***** no.
- sancho, on 05/06/2008, -1/+1I guess that you could live in an apartment. It will probably be cheaper than a mortgage payment, month-to-month.
- subliminalurge, on 05/06/2008, -1/+1"Live closer to work"
- erp6502, on 05/06/2008, -4/+5Congratulations on perpetuating the stereotype of the typical American as a person with two arms and four wheels.
My friends and I throw a big party every time the average price of gas increases by 50 cents (here in the US). We drink a toast to the possibility -- however slight -- that an increase in pain at the pump may cause some of the sheeple to realize just how wasteful, unsustainable, and unnecessarily expensive their suburban, automotive lifestyles are. We'll raise our glasses to both of you at the next party.- subliminalurge, on 05/06/2008, -0/+4To actually be happy about the increasing gas prices is both short-sighted and, frankly, stupid.
Fuel prices don't just affect people's driving habits, they affect EVERYTHING. All of those higher prices at the grocery store? A result of increased fuel prices. Instead of worrying about the "poor, poor planet", how about worrying about the poor single mother who now goes hungry 4 nights a week so that she can afford to feed her baby? Or how about the single mother that my company was just forced to lay off since the impact of rising fuel prices means we can no longer justify her salary.
The fact of the matter is that extreme rises in fuel prices will destroy lives, businesses, and, if prices go high enough, the entire global economy.
You have to be one sick ***** to actually be celebrating that.- Logicexe, on 05/06/2008, -2/+1That's a fairly one sided portrayal of things. What about all the people who could suffer environmental disasters as a direct cause of climate change? What about the people losing their homes to rising sea levels? What about people losing their farm lands to ever increasing arid conditions?
Or if you think climate change is just a conspiracy what about all the other problems with consuming too much gasoline? What about the long term economic dangers of constantly growing our economy on highly limited energy sources? The longer we sit on our asses toughing through or artificially lowering oil prices the more devastating it's going to be when demand finally outstrips supply.
Am I concerned about the single mothers who can't feed their children? Of course I am, but do I think we're better off trying to keep gasoline prices artificially low? No. After all, this is really just a market correction, a fluctuation of supply vs demand. The free market will make everything ok, right? Right?- subliminalurge, on 05/06/2008, -1/+2I didn't say anything about keeping prices "artificially" low. There are plenty of steps we could be taking that would increase supply and allow prices to return to a reasonable level naturally.
- Logicexe, on 05/06/2008, -2/+1And that will only accelerate the increase in demand and further increase prices. There is no way around more expensive oil. Face it man, even our best bets could only supply some stability for a decade or two, and that'll only set us up for a higher fall once we do run out of the stuff. There's really no way to stop price increases unless you decrease demand, good luck with that.
- subliminalurge, on 05/06/2008, -1/+2"Face it man, even our best bets could only supply some stability for a decade or two,"
With some intelligence and planning, the impact of an oil shortage could be significantly reduced in that amount of time. That's plenty of time for more hybrid and electric vehicles to hit the market, and even trickle down into the used car market so that those who can least afford expensive fuel would have options available that they could afford. It's time to get bio-fuels other than corn ethanol into wide production.
Even with nothing more than trends that are currently underway, we'll be in a much better position to deal with high gasoline prices in two decades than we are today. - Logicexe, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1Intelligence and planning? That doesn't sound very hopeful to me. We either have to rely on share holders who want their dividends now or politicians who can't think in spans of time greater than 4-8 years. Let's not forget the people who buy SUVs in greater numbers when gas goes down only to complain when it goes right back up to where it was a few months before. Hopefully you can forgive me for being a little pessimistic.
Also, what I meant by stability was simply that prices won't spiral out of control until only the very wealthy could afford gasoline, even with the proposed alternative oil sources we'd be facing oil that is ever more expensive. The only conceivable way for oil to go back down in price to a significant degree for a significant amount of time is if God himself refilled all the major oil wells across the world. I'm sorry buddy, but if you think gas prices are expensive now, just wait 5 years.
I do however agree with most of what you said. Developing truly sustainable biofuels are a step in the right direction, as is the widespread adoption of hybrids. Still though, even with those two factors we're likely to still need more and more oil simply because the economy keeps growing (over the long term) which means more cars, more things being transported across continents etc. Even with increases in efficiency we're likely to keep needing more and more oil.
The change needs to be far more fundamental than developing biofuels and hybrid cars. We're talking an almost complete reinventing of our industrial economy. Not exactly an easy job. - subliminalurge, on 05/06/2008, -1/+1"Also, what I meant by stability was simply that prices won't spiral out of control until only the very wealthy could afford gasoline,"
That sort of stability sounds much, much better than where we're currently headed.
I'm not disputing that there is much to be done, and that much of it will be difficult. What I'm trying to make is two points:
1.) Any action that can be taken to stabilize prices should be taken. Having 20 years to get good alternatives into production will be much less damaging than only having three years to do it.
2.) Regardless of your beliefs on climate change, environmentalism, etc..., and regardless of the cause of the current fuel prices, anyone who actually celebrates what is happening is a cold-hearted bastard. - Logicexe, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1I agree with both points. Just one little caveat. Most of the alternative sources of oil most people are banking on still need minimum 5-10 years more development before they even ship their first barrel. Frankly, I can't help but feel it's going to get a lot worse than it is now.
- Logicexe, on 05/06/2008, -2/+1That's a fairly one sided portrayal of things. What about all the people who could suffer environmental disasters as a direct cause of climate change? What about the people losing their homes to rising sea levels? What about people losing their farm lands to ever increasing arid conditions?
- ghostfaceDX, on 05/06/2008, -1/+0buried for using the word sheeple. the only thing that sounds dumber than that was a comment someone left somewhere else using the phrase "leftosphere hate-states".
...
- subliminalurge, on 05/06/2008, -0/+4To actually be happy about the increasing gas prices is both short-sighted and, frankly, stupid.
- BurgerDST, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1OK now that you've protested the common sense stuff shoved down your throat, I'd go back and read it if I were you. It may save you some money.
- sancho, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1A, B, D, and E may not be options. For me to live closer to work would mean selling my house in a terrible market for sellers. To do it in a reasonable time frame, I'd lose money. I could put it on the market for about 18 months, I guess (that's about how long it takes to sell a house around here for anything near what you paid for it.)
Walking to work just isn't an option. It would take about two hours. There's no public transit where I live, either.
Bicycling would be ok, except for the oppressive heat in the summer. I can't go to work completely drenched in sweat.
The rest of the tips might help some, but the arrogance presented in the first 5 tips is pretty discouraging.
- sancho, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1A, B, D, and E may not be options. For me to live closer to work would mean selling my house in a terrible market for sellers. To do it in a reasonable time frame, I'd lose money. I could put it on the market for about 18 months, I guess (that's about how long it takes to sell a house around here for anything near what you paid for it.)
- Logicexe, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1I can't think of any other item to put first on a list about saving money on gas. The other 103 tips are great (well some are stupid and dangerous) but the best way to save money on gasoline will always be to just use your car as rarely as possible.
- riot5, on 05/06/2008, -1/+1It's pretty much impossible for me to do any of those but a, seeing as how I work out of my van, and not at a desk.
- stabbingkittens, on 05/06/2008, -2/+23) Attend a driving clinic.
That would drive me nuts.
I drive an old Holden Commodore VS, with a leaking tyre, bad transmission and unnecessary horsepower which I take full advantage of; spare no consideration to $2 saved in petrol. Other than that I recycle and don't waste water.
http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.as ...- petrodollar, on 05/06/2008, -2/+1"tire"
*slams another Coopers Stout* - stabbingkittens, on 05/07/2008, -0/+1tyre
/'tuyuh/
noun
1. a band of metal or rubber, fitted round the rim of a wheel as a running surface. The inflated rubber pneumatic tyre provides good adhesion and resistance to shock.
verb (t), tyred, tyring.
2. to furnish with a tyre or tyres.
Also, US, tire.
[late ME; special use of tire[3]]
- petrodollar, on 05/06/2008, -2/+1"tire"
- OhTheHumanity1, on 05/06/2008, -1/+9I get to these lists and I think, "Oh, well this will be handy" and then I read 10 of them, realize I have to do that 10 more times, and suddenly I'm thinking, yeah, I really don't care that much
- nevetando, on 05/06/2008, -1/+5Sweet Jesus on a pogo stick...
Listen, Every body on this planet knows to inflat your tires, to drive consistanly to not burn out on traffic lights, etc, etc.
When these sites start advocating potentially dangerous techniques such as drafting and coasting through turns and timing lights as to not have to brake, well you are now becoming an unsafe driver. not only is your attention taken away from your surroundings, but just setting yourself up for traffic citations.
I guarentee you that hypermiling god wayne what ever his name is runs every single stop sign he can... just think about how much gas you can buy with that 300 dollar ticket...- feliks2, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1By sour Jesus on a unicycle, yur right, leave timing the traffic lights to the people that do it because they actually need or want to get somewhere faster. Driving like a pregnant Hindu woman (appologies to pregnant Hindi women) won't really help anyone, including yourself.
- gbates31, on 05/06/2008, -2/+2This stuff really works. My last fill-up in my '98 Mitsu Eclipse GST cost $50/13gal at an average of 19 miles per gallon. I've used 11 gallons since starting the hypermiling techniques and I'm about to break 300 miles on my tripometer, around a 50% increase in fuel economy. The techniques work so well I hate it. Part of me misses zipping around city streets, but paying less often for gas almost makes up for it.
- kolinkoolface2, on 05/06/2008, -3/+2basically what it's saying is.... don't drive your car as much. Thanks, but for some of us, that is not an option.
- mikhial66, on 05/06/2008, -2/+5Fill up when its coldest. The hotter gasoline is, the more it expands, and the more it costs you for the same fuel.
- Pixelpaws, on 05/06/2008, -0/+2Though to counter this, some stations heat their fuel tanks, such that you get the same amount of fuel regardless of ambient temperature.
- subliminalurge, on 05/06/2008, -0/+2Also, underground tanks stay at a pretty consistent temperature, anyway.
I forget what the exact depth is where soil temperature becomes constant year round, but it's not as deep as most people think.
- subliminalurge, on 05/06/2008, -0/+2Also, underground tanks stay at a pretty consistent temperature, anyway.
- Pixelpaws, on 05/06/2008, -0/+2Though to counter this, some stations heat their fuel tanks, such that you get the same amount of fuel regardless of ambient temperature.
- thecheatah, on 05/06/2008, -7/+6This is the way I drive:
If I am drunk: Drive exactly at the speed limit, accelerate by not letting the rpm go above 2000.
If I am not: Gun it until I reach 5 above the speed limit.
For every drop of gas you save, I probably burn a 100. If you want to "save the planet", your probably going to have to come ***** with me first. I leave the AC running with the windows open (It feels like the weather is cooler outside). I have a HUGE sub in the back of my car. Lets see what else? I cut off hybrids to piss them off.
You guys are INSANE. Ok how about this, ill change my mind IF, You can someone tell me how much gas you REALLY save, and how much of the "planet" do you save?
Wait is this article suppose to be sarcastic?- feliks2, on 05/06/2008, -1/+7You sound like a complete *****, but really, I agree.
- Genthree, on 05/06/2008, -1/+10err, I think for most people it's about saving money rather than saving the planet. Gas is ***** expensive.
- ghostfaceDX, on 05/06/2008, -0/+0i lolld
- chr0nic21, on 05/06/2008, -8/+0BEST TIP: VOTE FOR OBAMA!!!!!!!!
- BioHMMWV, on 05/06/2008, -0/+3All of the suggestions looked good, except for 71 &72. Cruising in a lower RPM will not increase efficiency. Driving within the peak RPMs will increase fuel economy. It can make the difference of 2-4 extra miles per gallon. For instance, my Cummins diesel at 70 MPH gets 19-21 MPG at 1,650 RPM, and gets 22-24 MPG at 1,800 to 2,000 RPM.
- thedeviluno, on 05/06/2008, -6/+1This list is about as useful as prayer.
- idavidtang, on 05/06/2008, -2/+1I'd say this list is as useful as a rag.
- ryanstreet, on 05/06/2008, -1/+1All around good resource! Thanks
- Nepenthes, on 05/06/2008, -1/+5Please, if we all act now, we can avoid the acceptance of the term 'hypermiling'... Remember your children will inherit this language - do it for their sake.
- yessuz, on 05/06/2008, -0/+10TIP NO. 105:
To have a car with a small engine is OK. Here, in Europe, 1.4 liter car is quite normal (ant 2.0 is more than enough). You can go at all MAXIMUM speeds without any problems and to save fuel.
TIP 106: Diesel engines uses almost 40% less fuel than petrol.
If americans could THINK about that....- feliks2, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1VW should start exporting its Bluemotion cars here, but Americans probably wouldn't buy them.
- yessuz, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1Not only VW.
Generaly, Americans can't imagine that engine can be small.
- yessuz, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1Not only VW.
- loopyloopy, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1and Australians. around the suburb i live, every 3rd car is an SUV (4WD).
- feliks2, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1VW should start exporting its Bluemotion cars here, but Americans probably wouldn't buy them.
- pond70, on 05/06/2008, -1/+1I burn 45 gallon drums of Gas each weekend in the back yard .. i figure I have to doing my part to get us off the fossil fuels faster with all the hippies preaching - using tail winds and drive in off peek-hours to save gas... we'll never get away from big oil
- feliks2, on 05/06/2008, -1/+6I just read through the whole damn thing, and every bit of it was more painful than the last. These people are lunatics. Basically everything they offer would save a completely negligible amount of fuel, except for those rediculous "tactics" that excacerbate the traffic problem and prevent normal people from driving like normal people. I mean, looking for roads shielded from the wind? These people aren't in fifth grade anymore, surely they must realize that just because something "theoretically" works doesn't make it in the least bit practical. And they basically missed two crucial factors: an efficient car (not a hybrid) and a manual transimission.
- subliminalurge, on 05/06/2008, -0/+4I wonder how much gas you'd waste cruising around looking for all of the perfectly shielded roads to use in various wind conditions?
- ghostfaceDX, on 05/06/2008, -0/+2i would love to see a prius come standard with a weathercock mounted on the roof.
- subliminalurge, on 05/06/2008, -0/+4I wonder how much gas you'd waste cruising around looking for all of the perfectly shielded roads to use in various wind conditions?
- JamesBond, on 05/06/2008, -2/+3I just saved $1,000 by using those tips today!
- ghostfaceDX, on 05/06/2008, -0/+0I saved $1,000 by switching to Geico.
- loopyloopy, on 05/06/2008, -1/+1I coast quite a bit by flipping it into neutral on the flat and down hills. brake pads are cheaper than fuel these days.
- AnotherGopher, on 05/06/2008, -0/+3In summary: Drive downhill on a warm night when there is a tail wind with the lights off, in the same lane as everyone else.
- ghostfaceDX, on 05/06/2008, -0/+0With the motor off and the hookshot lodged firmly into the 18 wheeler in front of you.
- guitarmaster, on 05/06/2008, -0/+6Are these tips a little extreme? Why not just
105) masturbate out the window
to reduce load- BurgerDST, on 05/06/2008, -0/+5This will not work. Opening the window and having your penis hanging out the window will increase drag {some more than others}. It can also be a hazard to unsuspecting pedestrians. Always be sure to take care of the load reducing before the engine starts.
- abadbronc, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1I laughed hard.
- timeless159, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1These tips are for stupid people that don't understand physics and restating the same sh!t over and over again pisses me off. I live close to work so i can sleep more. I ride my bike when ever I drink (I know it's still illegal). I also live close to Wal-Mart, Target and my grocery store. A little bit of logic and the fact that I'm a lazy, irresponsible piece of sh!t that can't afford to live further away from Wal-Mart is good for the planet.
- teamgwho, on 05/06/2008, -0/+214 and 11 are dimetrically opposite. "choosing lightly traveled roads over busier ones, you give yourself more flexibility to employ a wider range of fuel saving techniques than if you are surrounded by other vehicles." seems to be saying the opposite of "All else being equal, traveling at a constant speed on a freeway within a flow of traffic (in the same direction) is more efficient than going the same speed in isolation. The reason is aerodynamic: a flow of traffic generates a localized wind current in the direction of travel. "
buried for that and the fact that I hate the term hypermiling and everything that is associated with these freakzoids. As shown in a recent front paqe article they drive unsafely and do things which will tend to make me drive unsafely by being around them. Now I'm all for ways to conserve gas and common sense so checking my tire pressure, not putting unecesary items in my trunk that weigh it down and so on, that's fine. Just don't tell me to draft big rigs, drive in neutral and not to use my brakes. You wanna be road kill, fine, but don't suggest others do it too. - thanakar, on 05/06/2008, -0/+9102) Use a block heater
Pre-warm your engine with an electric block heater. Engines are most efficient at full operating temperature, and the block heater helps it get there sooner. About 2 hours is the maximum time needed to pre-warm a small engine.
Waste electricty to conserve a bit a fuel? How much fuel are you actually conserving by preheating your engine?- BurgerDST, on 05/06/2008, -1/+3Enough if you drive a hybrid from the reading I've done on the internets. Also, electricity can come from renewable resources. Even if it comes from coal, a centralized coal plant is still more efficient than your internal combustion engine . It also saves wear an tear on you vehicle by reducing friction with less viscous warmed oil. In the winter, you don't need to waste gas idling your engine to warm up your car or get your heater going to keep you warm.
- thanakar, on 05/06/2008, -0/+2I have a question about hybrids. don't you NEED braking in order to recharge the batteries? Aside from plugging it in every night, how are you doing to recharge your car's electric batteries if you never use the brake like most of these hipermilers suggest?
- BurgerDST, on 05/06/2008, -1/+3Enough if you drive a hybrid from the reading I've done on the internets. Also, electricity can come from renewable resources. Even if it comes from coal, a centralized coal plant is still more efficient than your internal combustion engine . It also saves wear an tear on you vehicle by reducing friction with less viscous warmed oil. In the winter, you don't need to waste gas idling your engine to warm up your car or get your heater going to keep you warm.
- BurgerDST, on 05/06/2008, -0/+2If you don't want to do all of these tips and you want to save some gas money try NOT driving your vehicle like a roid raged race car driver. Accelerate slowly, travel at speed limit, and coast/lightly brake to a stop when safely possible. This is a good list. You don't have to do them all. It's your money to burn.
- jbmcb, on 05/06/2008, -0/+4My procedure for cooling down my car:
1 - Drive with the windows down, the vent open and fan on high for a few minutes to cool off the interior quickly.
2 - Close windows, turn on A/C for about five minutes
3 - Switch to A/C recirculation for a few minutes
4 - Turn off the A/C compressor, leaving it on recirulcation
The vents will continue to kick out cold air even after the A/C compressor is turned off, as long as recirculation is still engaged. It wears off after a couple hours, but it's much more efficient than running the compressor the entire time.- BioHMMWV, on 05/06/2008, -0/+2Good suggestion.
- Pixelpaws, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1Going to try this on my drive through Chicago today. If it adds even 2% to my fuel economy I'll be using that technique all summer.
- ClunkClunk, on 05/06/2008, -0/+4Almost all of these have at least some sound sense in them for fuel economy (though not all of them are sound in a legal or safety sense, but I digress). However this one is just stupid:
61) Parking tactics: orbit to bleed momentum
If you find you have too much momentum after reaching your preferred parking spot, continue coasting further down the row or "orbiting" a spot until you can roll to a stop in position without touching the brakes.
(The extent to which you might continue 'orbiting' depends on whether your engine is on/off and whether you're driving a manual or automatic. Also, it depends on traffic in the lot, obviously.)
Since you're already at speed, you've already burned the gasoline to get to that speed. By orbiting, all you're doing it wasting more fuel by the engine running at minimal rpm. The concept of using brakes = using fuel is only true if you have to re-accelerate back up to speed, which granted, is a huge amount of the time. If you're parking and shutting your vehicle off, 'orbiting' doesn't do anything except waste 30 seconds worth of fuel. -
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