Hypermiling Techniques

Hypermiling is a new trend that's really taken off due to rising gas prices around the world. With fuel costs reaching $4 per gallon and rumors of $6 per gallon in the next one to two years, it's no wonder people are doing all they can to save money on fuel.

Hypermiling is a method of using creative driving techniques to maximize the MPG (miles per gallon) you get out of your vehicle. Some hypermilers have reached 50-100 MPG from standard vehicles, and up to 150 MPG from hybrid vehicles like the Prius!

There are people who worry about the dangers associated with hypermiling, calling for the government to put a stop to some of the more dangerous techniques used by hypermilers.

For example, FAS (forced auto stop) is a technique commonly used by hypermilers. In FAS, you put the car in neutral, turn off the engine, and glide. This technique can be dangerous, because drivers can lose their power brakes and even your power steering after a while. In some states, FAS is illegal.

But hypermilers say these risks are minimal and aren't truly dangerous if the driver is cautious and pays attention to what they're doing. And they believe the benefits far outweight any potential risks.

The term hypermiling is credited to Wayne Gerdes, who holds many world records for hypermiling. He's reached up to 180.91 MPG in an Insight at the Hybridfest MPG Challenege!

Many hypermilers have their own special techniques for increasing gas mileage. Some of them have seen up to 150 MPG when driving hybrid cars, and up to 100+ MPG in a standard vehicle. Some hypermilers can even get 50 MPG in a Hummer!

Here are a few of the most common hypermiling techniques:

1. Never use your air conditioner or defroster unless absolutely necessary.

2. Maintain high pressure in your tires. Underinflation wastes fuel.

3. Drive lightweight vehicles, and keep the car as light as possible.

4. Don't brake unless necessary. Coast to stops whenever possible.

5. Use gravity to bring your vehicle to a start whenever you can.

6. Drive as slowly as legally possible. Drive 50 in a 55, or or 65 in a 70.

7. Drive in the right hand lane to let others know you're driving slowly.

8. Keep your right wheel on the white line to avoid ridges that can slow you down and force you to accelerate.

9. If you see a red light ahead, remove your foot from the gas and begin to coast slowly forward. Hopefully the light will turn green before you reach it, eliminating your need to brake and accelerate, which wastes gas.

10. Coast whenever you can. Keeping your foot off of the accelerator will save you a lot of fuel.