HyperMiling to save on Gas Costs

I saw a segment on the news about using techniques collectively referred to as HyperMiling, so had to go check out the HyperMiling page. In the demonstration the woman driver, under the tutelage of her instructor, at times exceeded 100mpg but wound up with a more realistic 40-60mpg depending on traffic and road conditions.

The coolest part of it was the miles per gallon meter so you get a more or less realtime update of how you are doing.

I note they provide a link to buy this for about $160.00 on their page but I’m sure there are other sites which sell equivalents.

It would probably pay for itself in a matter of weeks of driving by how much you save on gas by using the tips they give you for HyperMiling.

“What is hypermiling?

According to a a fantastic August 2006 story in the Washington Post, it is a method of increasing your car’s gas mileage by making skillful changes in the way you drive, allowing you to save gas and thereby have an easier time withstanding the rising oil and gas prices. This CNN.com Article gives a fantastic explanation of some of the basic concepts behind hypermiling.

>> The first step toward saving gas and increasing mpg: Always know your gas mileage after each visit to the gas pump.

>> The second step: do you drive agressively but not know it?

>> The third step: How long are you sitting still at red lights? Video

>> The fourth step: Keeping yourself moving in traffic congestion

>> The fifth step: Slowly accelerate after stops

>> The sixth step: Your cruise control saves gas (but not by using it they way you might think)

Cars used to get higher mileage in the past, especially during the 1980’s, since we had learned something from the 1973 oil embargo. Remember the 50 MPG Diesel Rabbit? And a 1989 Mazda Pickup – B2200 – got 33 miles per gallon on the highway, yet the currently available pickup – a B2600 – gets in the neighborhood of 20 MPG. WTF?!

Think about the money ramifications: MPG then, now. Gasoline consumption then, now. Fuel prices then, now. Who is getting rich? Remember the window sticker on your car when you bought it?

Did you ever get the miles per gallon that it showed? I certainly never did. Normally I got as much as 1/3 less MPG than the value advertised.

The steps are very basic but might save you a bundle if you can learn to do it regularly. I read somewhere that to break habits you have to overcome them for 21 consecutive days…after that, you are reprogrammed and the habits are changed.