Saving on Gas: Hypermiling to Financial Freedom
Today, Reuters tells us about Hypermiling. This is a combination of techniques used by some to double the miles per gallon they get from their vehicles. These techniques include some things commonly taught in driver’s ed and some that I wouldn’t necessarily want to try.
These techniques include:
- Know and track your MPG.
- Think about how you drive. Leave yourself some space to slow down rather than slamming on the brakes all the time. Think ahead. Is there a stoplight way ahead? If yes, why hurry?
- Accelerate gradually.
- Don’t idle. Idling at a stop light will give you exactly 0 MPG. This, is also how some hybrids also handle stops.
and a host of other techniques less likely to be used by a normal driver such as overinflating your tires, drafting (following closely behind big trucks on the highway) and driving below the speed limit.
I know I have personally started to think much more about how I drive since I first found out about hypermiling in a local environmentally focused magazine. I have actually started driving a little less fast and also thinking ahead about whether I can stop or not. I haven’t been tracking my MPG, but I think I’ll start now, as gas hit a record of $3.61 on Tuesday.
Have you started to change your driving habits because of high gas prices? Do you think you can use any of these techniques to your benefit?
