Hypermiling: Save Gas, Save Money
I was listening to NPR yesterday on my way to work and the topic of hypermiling came on. Hypermiling is changing your driving behavior (to the extreme) to save gas, in so many words. We all are feeling the huge pinch from the gas pump now that gas is $4.00/gallon on average. If you’re anything like me, I’ve been thinking about useful and PRACTICAL ways I can save gas which in turn will help save me money.
There are several different sites you can visit to learn how to “hypermile” and conserve your gas usage. There are also a ton of myths out there. If you’re interested in knowing what those myths are, please check out Lifehacker’s Gas Saving Tips And Myths article.
Kent Johnson, a self-proclaimed hypermiler, was interviewed by NPR for their hypermiling article. He has some great tips on how we can all save gas by changing our behavior in how we drive to and from a destination. Whether it’s driving without your shoe on so you can better feel the pressure on the gas pedal or coasting in neutral when you’re driving down hills, these small tips begin to add up.
Some other tips that NPR covered were: cease stop-and-go driving, too much braking and liberal use of the A/C. Two of the most useful hypermiling tips that hit me over the head were (1) Use cruise control as much as possible when driving as it evens out your gas usage and (2) Drive the speed limit! The faster you drive, the more gas you consume (dang it)!
Now, we all don’t have to be extreme hypermilers to save gas and therefore save money. Lifehacker suggests you do your research by checking GasBuddy.com (tells you which stations have cheapest gas in your area) and keeping your car in great shape by tuneups and oil changes.
So, my gas saving readers, what are your thoughts? What do you do in order to save gas and therefore save money? Leave a comment below!
Tags: Economy, environment, Gas, Hypermiling, Lifehacker, Money, NPR, Save
June 11th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
[...] Hypermiling: Save Gas, Save Money10 Jun 2008 by Jeff McCord Some other tips that NPR covered were: cease stop-and-go driving, too much braking and liberal use of the A/C. Two of the most useful hypermiling tips that hit me over the head were (1) Use cruise control as much as possible when …Jeff McCord's Blog – http://www.jeffmccord.org [...]
June 11th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Wow, never knew we could do this! Hypermiling sounds brilliant. Thanks Jeff.
June 11th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Gas is expensive now? The heck you say!
June 11th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
I've got to say that coasting down hill in neutral is not a good idea and in some states it is illegal (not that anyone is really going to know). I own 2 cars and a bike and would have to say that since gas has gotten to $4.00 a gallon I have made other "life" changes that off-set the higher cost of fuel. Instead of drinking several beers at restaurants with dinner I limit my drinks to one or none and do the drinking at home. That saves me more then enough money due to me going out to eat at nice restaurants once or twice a week. When it comes to changing driving habits, I think the biggest key for most people would be to simple just slow down on the highways and surface streets.
June 12th, 2008 at 3:36 am
[...] Hypermiling: Save Gas, Save MoneySome other tips that NPR covered were: cease stop-and-go driving, too much braking and liberal use of the A/C. Two of the most useful hypermiling tips that hit me over the head were (1) Use cruise control as much as possible when …Jeff mccord's Blog – http://www.jeffmccord.orgHypermiling tipsBy: SouthernFriedInfidel For those who feel the need to squeeze every possible inch of driving out of that $4 a gallon gas, here are some ideas. After driving my hybrid for nearly 7 years, I'm amazed at how many of these ideas I have …Project Greensboring® Greensboro, NC – http://greensboring.comHypermiling – How to be a hypermiler 100 Tips on how to save gas.Nothing will turn you into a hypermiler faster than seeing, in real time, exactly how much fuel you’re sucking down. If your car was built after 1995, fuel economy computers like ScanGauge are plug-and-play. …hey | by tofslie – http://www.tofslie.com/heyHypermilers: Pushing cars to 70 mpgSome of the tips that are suggested in the 100 hypermiling / ecodriving tips to increase gas mileage are common sense, others are interesting, and a few (such as drafting or turning off your engine to coast downhill) can be dangerous. …The Squiggly Line of Thought – http://orderless.wordpress.combonny doon fire, lisa lips, omakase, sean salisbury, …… olivia munn; camp rock premiere; cecile richards; cedar rapids gazette; truly tasteless jokes; nogoodwebbers.com; paul newman cancer; charlie hill; anheuser busch; hypermiling tips; goji berry juice; lake washington school district …You Cant Hide Forever – http://youcanthideforever.comMPGenius: Hypermiling Tips, Fuel-Saving Myths, 100-MPG HighForget four bucks a gallon. Crude oil rose four bucks this week! The good news for the fuel crunch: Benjamin Jones says the cult of the ecomodders can help you save gas from your garage, Mike Allen sniffs out efficiency scams, …The Popular Mechanics Show – http://www.popularmechanics.comFuelling the Hypermiler MythI know I shouldn’t get so wound up, but hypermilers idiotic suggestions and erratic driving tips just rub me up the wrong way. We need more quality driver education, and the encouragement of better courteous driving skills on our roads. …BardsWorld – http://bardsworld.wordpress.com'Cheaper than cheap': Tips for ultra-frugal livingHypermiling. (MSN Money has a good article about these gas-saving methods.) The funniest thing about Rock's post on hypermiling is that it was written when gas was $3 a gallon. Thanks for the memories. Use canvas or used plastic bags at …Smart Spending – http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/smartspending/default.aspx104 hypermiling tips for saving gas and moneyA 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.Stories dugg by RacerX – http://digg.com/users/RacerX//dugg annie mcelwain cleanmpg fcat parent network pat sajak chico fire afi greatest american screen actors nicole ganguzza michael wilbon chico er andrea gail Published in Blog Search Hot Trends Tags: Anheuser Busch, Benjamin Jones, Cedar Rapids Gazette, Charlie Hill, Fuel Economy, Fuel Saving, Gallon Gas, Gas Mileage, Goji Berry Juice, How To Save Gas, Hypermiler, Hypermiling, Jeff Mccord, Lisa Lips, Munn Camp, Olivia Munn, Popular Mechanics, Sean Salisbury, Tasteless Jokes, Tips On How To Save Gas [...]
June 12th, 2008 at 5:37 am
I don't "hypermile" but I did start using some of the safer techniques – took the mileage in my hybrid from averaging around 42 MPG up to around 50 MPG. My 77 year old mom has the same model Honda hybrid, but bad driving techniques – she gets around 35 MPG.
June 12th, 2008 at 7:09 am
David, Totally agree with you… and slowing down is probably something EVERYONE needs to do. As ignorant as this sounds, I really had no idea that speeding was consuming most of my "unnecessary" gas usage vs A/C, etc. Crazy!
June 12th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Awesome site, Jeff!
June 12th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
[...] Hypermiling: Save Gas, Save MoneySome other tips that NPR covered were: cease stop-and-go driving, too much braking and liberal use of the A/C. Two of the most useful hypermiling tips that hit me over the head were (1) Use cruise control as much as possible when …Jeff McCord's Blog – http://www.jeffmccord.org [...]
June 12th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
[...] Hypermiling: Save Gas, Save MoneySome other tips that NPR covered were: cease stop-and-go driving, too much braking and liberal use of the A/C. Two of the most useful hypermiling tips that hit me over the head were (1) Use cruise control as much as possible when …Jeff McCord's Blog – http://www.jeffmccord.org [...]
June 20th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Hypermiling and Other Save Gas Strategies…
Hypermiling is now becoming a much talked about means to save gas. With current gas prices skyrocketing, and unclear if and when they would roll back, people are bracing for the worst and looking for ways to save on gas.
Hypermiling is a way to get ex…
June 28th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Hypermiling seems like the most practical way to increase mpg..it will take practice.
July 18th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Hypermiling techniques work no doubt (although some are scary). There are some viable technologies that can help gas mileage on your ol’ internal combustion engine. From additives to on-board hydrogen production systems. Check out some comparisons and top picks at inform-me2.com. You may be surprised at what can be done.