Hybrids and Hypermiling - Tips on more miles per gallon - Car Forums

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Hybrids and Hypermiling - Tips on more miles per gallon

48 messages, Last post on Dec 24, 2008 at 10:27 AM

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What is this discussion about? Hybrid Cars, Fuel Efficiency (MPG)

Hypermilers: Breaking the 100-MPG Barrier -Kelly is using one of the techniques of "hypermiling," the fine art of wringing the greatest fuel economy possible from a vehicle through a selection of clever driving techniques. The 100-mpg barrier is the elusive goal. (more)

#19 of 48 Re: This belongs in the HYBRIDS AND HOV LANES not here.... [larsb] by gagrice

Dec 23, 2005 (9:59 am)

Replying to: larsb (Dec 23, 2005 9:49 am)

ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO BUY AND DRIVE CLEANER CARS.

I thought that was what the Fat Juicy Tax Credit was supposed to do. Why don't we give free gas to everyone that buys a new hybrid. That would be more logical than congesting traffic more than it already is.

My point that I think more valid. Is for people to get a car pool partner and save gas, emissions and congestion.

#20 of 48 hybrids in HOV lanes reduces by larsb

Dec 23, 2005 (10:06 am)

quote gagrice-That would be more logical than congesting traffic more than it already is.-end quote

Hold on partner - Allowing hybrids into the HOV lanes does not INCREASE traffic congestion - it RELIEVES it !!!

One less car in the "stopped" lanes means more room for them...The HOV lanes (in most places) STILL move better than the non-HOV lanes.

And that one person in the hybrid would still be a one person on the road in one car if they were not driving a hybrid...

PS
We need to move this to the HOV lane forum if you want to keep talking about this G-Man......Reply over there if you have a reply....

#21 of 48 Hypermiling by donzi81

Dec 23, 2005 (12:44 pm)

I have never experienced anyone hypermiling. Sure, people drive slow, but they're usually old or not paying attention. I mean, how many people would drive in such a way to increase their MPG. I usually look ahead and if I see a red light, I let off on the gas. Funny thing is, the people behind me get angry because I am slowing down!! What the heck is the rush? People seem like zombies when they drive. Pay attention! Heck- I don't even know if I would recognize a hypermiler.

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misterme (Dec 23, 2005 1:54 pm)

#22 of 48 Most are unobtrusive by larsb

Dec 23, 2005 (12:51 pm)

quote donzi81-"I don't even know if I would recognize a hypermiler."-end quote

Most of the time, no you would not. When I'm in hypermile mode, I constantly CONSTANTLY scan my rearview mirror for people who might want me out of their way and do everything I can to let them by, short of "speeding up."

Unless they ae going to pay for my fuel/speeding ticket, no one driving behind me is going to force me to speed up - whether I'm hypermiling or not.

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misterme (Dec 23, 2005 2:15 pm)

#23 of 48 Re: Hypermiling [donzi81] by misterme

Dec 23, 2005 (1:54 pm)

Replying to: donzi81 (Dec 23, 2005 12:44 pm)

"I have never experienced anyone hypermiling"

This is my point exactly. Some people think speed is the only tool to use. For example when the traffic gets moving again from that light you (we) have choices.
Surely I could just follow behind the pack with a cars length in front gassing it hard with them to gain speed....

Or I can see that there isn't anyone following for 1/4 mile...Since there isn't anyone behind I can back off a little bit, cut my rate of increase and save some gas.

Nobody notices or cares.

Or I might notice my fuel consumption display shows mid 40's MPG, so I increase it to mid 50's or 60's with no change in speed....

Again, nobody notices or cares.

Or I'll be doing just fine getting great MPG flowing along in traffic and see an upcoming hill.
A vehicle ahead decides to go slow for what ever reason. Now we pack in like an accordion behind them.
Later we're on that hill and I'm burning alot more fuel than otherwise for that slow person.

The person in front of me who is also victim of this slow driver gets home, goes to Edmunds and posts that hypermilers cause hazards.

Sound familiar?

#24 of 48 Re: Most are unobtrusive [larsb] by misterme

Dec 23, 2005 (2:15 pm)

Replying to: larsb (Dec 23, 2005 12:51 pm)

"do everything I can to let them by, short of "speeding up."

This brings to mind a funny thing last summer.
There's a set of HUGE hills on my way home

3:00AM.
These are on a 55MPH limit, cops patrol it to just over 60MPH.

Since there isn't anyone around at 3:00AM I usually take them

60MPH at their base and let her sag down to about 45MPH at the top.

That night most of the way up this steep 3/4 mile hill someone pulls up right behind and very aggressively tailgates. I couldn't see their headlights they were so close.
So I held it to about 53MPH and as I reached the top immediately pulled into a turn only lane on the left to let them pass.

Wow! It was a cop driving like that behind me.

In fact I returned to my lane after he passed, then he pulled me over for improper lane usage! (Because I let him by)

Well I was pretty hot at him and he knew it- denying to the end that he was tailgating.
Another benefit of hybrids are conversation. It turned out OK, he admitted trolling for drunks and my lane change was his excuse. Of course I also mentioned my 68MPG average and showed him my dash which said 72 point something MPG.
People's reaction is priceless.

#25 of 48 Re: Hybrids a Hazard or a Help? [gagrice] by misterme

Dec 23, 2005 (2:36 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (Dec 22, 2005 6:04 pm)

"they save 2 cents worth of gas on their trip to work and back"

Two cents?
My hypermiling paid the bulk of my hybrid premium within the first year of ownership, and can almost double the MPG of our Grand Caravan.
(The wife mainly drives the GC and thinks nothing of hypermiling, but have learned from it as well. She averages about 21-22 which is great, coming from 14-16MPG...simply from non-aggressive driving)

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