Hypermiling : Ways to decrease your fuel consumption

jack.allwardt · Mar 30, 2008

I agree that driving techniques (and attitudes...) result in different fuel consumption rates in cars as well as airplanes. My brother bought a brand new Piper Archer (180 hp, 150 mph) several years ago and I accompanied him on a 1200 mile trip. We agred to split the flying duties on each fuel leg. Bear in mind that I'd been flying for nearly 25 years and much of that in older, slower machine, so had some experience in "coaxing" the extra performance from a flying machine. My brother averaged about 2-3 gallons per hour more than I and I made better ground speed over identical terrain and wind conditions! My secret--light foot--or rather easy on the throttle while accellerating for take-off and climb. Maintaining a level altitude instead of wavering--even a 100 foot change--makes a difference.

So, bottom line: Drive like you have extremely limited fuel and need to make the most out of it!

metalhead · Mar 30, 2008

unclejjg said:
Ridiculous! People should be arrested for doing this, except that there is no way to prove that they are.

Do you know how annoying it is to get stuck behind a jackass that is doing this? Especially when you are sitting at a turning signal, etc and you watch the cars ahead of you make it....knowing full well that there is enough time for 10 more to get there before it even begins to turn yellow...but the clown directly in front of you, in his VW Golf, is idling into the turn because he want to save on gas.

I'd suggest that they buy a bike, but they'd only be in the way again....so do us all a favor: Let someone else drive if you are too poor or afraid to....take public transportation.

Further, I love this trend of "anticipating red lights, stops, etc and slowing down ahead of time". What the hell is this? Suddenly we can all have extrasensory perception if we choose? Do you know why there are redlights and braking lights? So we all receive the same signal of when to stop? It takes a lot of the guess work out...wouldn't you agree? As long as it is green, we go....we don't say, "this has been green for a while...maybe I ought to slow down a bit in preparation for it to turn."

You people(Hypermillers) are screwing up traffic with your little cash saving games, no differently than the monkey who is going 85 in a 55. Our society is busy and rushed, maybe too much, but when you cause an accident or piss off some over aggressive person enough that they flip out and come after you....then you might realize the pennies you save aren't worth the time you lose and the aggravation you cause.

I enjoy ticking off the person behind me at lights. I don't give a darn its my money my vehicle and I'll drive it like I want as long as its legal. People are in too much of a hurry these days. I see people every day weaving in and out of traffic like a maniac talking on cell phones I even saw a guy eating a bowl of cereal while driving. And you want to tell me how to drive PLEASE! I will do whatever it takes to squeeze out as many mpg's as I can. If that means ticking people off that fine with me. If the world would learn to relax a little and stop being in such a hurry and drop the selfish attitudes the world would be a better place.

EuroPat · Mar 30, 2008

Hey Unclejjg, this forum is friendly and we don't usually see much of that enraged writing that you showed on your last post. I think that contemptuous attitude towards other drivers can cause many road accidents (and fuel waste). Believe me, I work as an air traffic controller at a busy airport, and I know something about rushing traffic and transportation safety.

Jack, here's a fellow private pilot (with little experience). I also fly sailplanes. I'd love to see pics of that Boeing Stearman!

Randoo-N-CJ · Mar 30, 2008

metalhead said:
I enjoy ticking off the person behind me at lights. I don't give a darn its my money my vehicle and I'll drive it like I want as long as its legal. People are in too much of a hurry these days. I see people every day weaving in and out of traffic like a maniac talking on cell phones I even saw a guy eating a bowl of cereal while driving. And you want to tell me how to drive PLEASE! I will do whatever it takes to squeeze out as many mpg's as I can. If that means ticking people off that fine with me. If the world would learn to relax a little and stop being in such a hurry and drop the selfish attitudes the world would be a better place.

I suppose I could be reading your reponse incorrectly, but I see two extremes here. Maniacal driving is idiotic..I agree. (an idiot eating cereal?? Good God where's a cop when you want one?!) But to go the other extreme is just as bad, and has caused undo road rage- as was previously mentioned.
Where I drive, it seems like cell phone drivers are actually more interested in texting (watch the eye movement sometime..they are looking down more than straight ahead!) and therefor will drive below speed limits by 5-10MPH and THAT causes problems. I don't wish for anyone to drive over the speed limit, but up TO it would be nice. Not everyone wants to go the "sunday stroll" speed and shouldn't have to, any more than they should have to fear some idiot driving way too fast.
I feel sorry for anyone who gets behind you with that attitude of "enjoying ticking people off". It's one of the 2 extremes that causes accidents and headaches for others, for no real good reason. And that's sad.

*hops off soapbox*

p.s. I'm all for the actual "hypermiling" on open roads like highways. I mean true hypermiling. Theres a difference between that and good old fashioned conservative driving. I just believe that HMing is a nuisance on a busy city street, is all. (did I kind of clear that separation up, or did I manage to muddy it up more?)

jepstr67 · Mar 30, 2008

Like I said in my post, I try not to annoy other drivers. I always pull over and let drivers go by if I'm driving slower than the posted speed limit. Most of my hypermiling is done in the country when no one is around. That being said, I haven't stamped on the gas and taken off like a rocket since I was a teenager. What I do is more like "activmiling", I'm not really that hyper about it.

jepstr67 · Mar 30, 2008

Jeephigh_11 said:
Warm your fuel, it actually does help with all weather and driving conditions. I just wish the little Pat would run higher than 182 degrees F at highway speeds (65 MPH). Once fuel hits that magic 250+ Degrees F you can get fuel vaporization and increase your MPG's by 40-50% if you know how to drive responsibly. If your wondering how I know what the Pat runs at with temperature, I have a Scangauge II hooked up, those things are great.

I agree with all on fuel consumption and driving habits, it's amazing some people complain about getting 50% less than the EPA rated MPG's on the sticker, let up on the pedal people, let it sip, not guzzle.

Anyone interested in FULL fuel vaporization check out this link, all cars someday in one form or another will have to have a system like this.

http://freeenergynews.com/Directory/VapSter/

O.K. Emmit Brown............this looks to use many of the same concepts of the ledgendary Pouge Carburetor. If it works, great!

jepstr67 · Mar 30, 2008

jack.allwardt said:
I agree that driving techniques (and attitudes...) result in different fuel consumption rates in cars as well as airplanes. My brother bought a brand new Piper Archer (180 hp, 150 mph) several years ago and I accompanied him on a 1200 mile trip. We agred to split the flying duties on each fuel leg. Bear in mind that I'd been flying for nearly 25 years and much of that in older, slower machine, so had some experience in "coaxing" the extra performance from a flying machine. My brother averaged about 2-3 gallons per hour more than I and I made better ground speed over identical terrain and wind conditions! My secret--light foot--or rather easy on the throttle while accellerating for take-off and climb. Maintaining a level altitude instead of wavering--even a 100 foot change--makes a difference.

So, bottom line: Drive like you have extremely limited fuel and need to make the most out of it!

It is really all just common sense and Jr.High physics isn't it. A little experience doesn't hurt either.

metalhead · Mar 30, 2008

Heres the deal, I said I enjoy ticking people off because if I tick you off because I don't gun it to get up to the speed limit in the blink of an eye than I control you. I make you mad so I control your emotions. I have a really bad temper and it wasn't until my barber explained this concept to me that now I don't let people make me mad no matter what they do. No one drives the speed limit anymore and if you do then you get cursed at and run over. With gas expected to hit 4 bucks a gallon by summer we should all be hypermiling.

tumprgt · Mar 30, 2008

I am in agreement with jepstr. Drive respectfully of others. Then again I can be an OFFENSIVE driver because of those hyper-HPMers or it's 4 in the AM and I get a call that the power is out on the north side of town and my sister-in-law can't find her dog. If you are so concerned about fuel mileage, then you should have purchased an hybrid or an electric golf cart.

Turn lights are set up on a timer based on average load for the time of day/week/year. By saving your fuel and crawling around the corner, you are wasting mine and the ten others behind me as we now have to wait for the next arrow. We expect a check in the mail! Saving gas for you also means you need to help other save gas.

I try to do an acceptable or better acceleration form the light. So far with any new car that I have driven ('96 and newer and ther have been about 10) I get better acceleration at 1/2 to 3/4 then I can get with full.

Saving gas for you also means you need to help other save gas.

REPUBLIC · Mar 31, 2008

The LAST of my worrys is tranny wear.(LIFETIME WARRANTY).. The next light is usually
RED so...... just take your time you'll get there & the Money you save will be yours,,,, Just try it, it works$$$$$ it took me a LONG while to adapt,,,,,,,don't know how to say other than your money is your money$$$$

jepstr67 · Mar 31, 2008

REPUBLIC said:
The LAST of my worrys is tranny wear.(LIFETIME WARRANTY).. The next light is usually
RED so...... just take your time you'll get there & the Money you save will be yours,,,, Just try it, it works$$$$$ it took me a LONG while to adapt,,,,,,,don't know how to say other than your money is your money$$$$

What is the best mileage you have been able to get?

I'm running the 5 speed too and I have had as high as 30.5 in the 3000 miles I have driven so far. Usually around 26 though. I live where it is very hilly so I really need to be on the ball to get the high numbers.

MrSensible · Mar 31, 2008

I think unclejjg needs a nap..... or maybe an industrial strength sedetive.:icon_rolleyes:

FLUFFY BEAR · Apr 2, 2008

metalhead said:
I even saw a guy eating a bowl of cereal while driving. .

When I was eating pancakes one day while driving (with a knife and fork !), even I had thought I may have crossed the line !:doh:

NoneRequired · Apr 5, 2008

unclejjg said:
Ridiculous! People should be arrested for doing this, except that there is no way to prove that they are.

Do you know how annoying it is to get stuck behind a jackass that is doing this? Especially when you are sitting at a turning signal, etc and you watch the cars ahead of you make it....knowing full well that there is enough time for 10 more to get there before it even begins to turn yellow...but the clown directly in front of you, in his VW Golf, is idling into the turn because he want to save on gas.

I'd suggest that they buy a bike, but they'd only be in the way again....so do us all a favor: Let someone else drive if you are too poor or afraid to....take public transportation.

Further, I love this trend of "anticipating red lights, stops, etc and slowing down ahead of time". What the hell is this? Suddenly we can all have extrasensory perception if we choose? Do you know why there are redlights and braking lights? So we all receive the same signal of when to stop? It takes a lot of the guess work out...wouldn't you agree? As long as it is green, we go....we don't say, "this has been green for a while...maybe I ought to slow down a bit in preparation for it to turn."

You people(Hypermillers) are screwing up traffic with your little cash saving games, no differently than the monkey who is going 85 in a 55. Our society is busy and rushed, maybe too much, but when you cause an accident or piss off some over aggressive person enough that they flip out and come after you....then you might realize the pennies you save aren't worth the time you lose and the aggravation you cause.

Yea!!! What he said....

and... speed doesn't kill...
Differences in speeds kill.. it's physics, the laws that can't be broken...

Hypermile all you want... try it on I-94 west some morning heading into Detroit... be sure your family will be taken care of by a good insurance policy first though...

No worry about "controlling" anyone else, you won't be...

Oh, and I'm averaging 21-23 around town... I can live with that..

Hypermiling : Ways to decrease your fuel consumption

jack.allwardt

metalhead

EuroPat

Randoo-N-CJ

jepstr67

jepstr67

jepstr67

metalhead

tumprgt

REPUBLIC

jepstr67

MrSensible

FLUFFY BEAR

NoneRequired

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