The old stand-by methods of saving fuel are being surpassed by some rather unusual, even eccentric alternatives. And a few older pieces of counsel have been proven ineffective.
Here is what works according to Edmunds.com – an online authority on fuel economy.
Lift the Lead Foot!
A driver’s best defense against wasted fuel is to improve driving technique. Slower speed, smoother stops and starts (0 – 60 in 15 seconds instead of 10) can raise fuel mileage an average of 31%. That can change 25 miles per gallon into 32.5 mpg; an increase of 150 per 20 gallon tank of gas!
Use the Cruise Control
It’s a natural tendency on a long drive to speed up, even if the driver doesn’t notice it. Since optimum fuel mileage is attained when driving between 40 and 60 miles per hour, that speeding up leaves good gas mileage in the dust. Keeping a steady speed and keeping it lower – even below the speed limit to the extent allowed by law – helps keep more fuel in the tank, not to mention avoiding speeding tickets, stress, accidents and other pains that go with faster driving.
Consolidating trips and keeping the vehicle properly maintained also make a big difference.
What doesn’t matter? Open windows vs. a/c – pretty much equal. Tire pressure – good for maintenance. No big deal for mileage.
Hypermiling - Unconventional but Effective
Now, the good stuff! For those not content with the usual means of saving fuel, here are some methods to try. Drivers be warned, these are not intended for most driving situations. Some states may have laws against one or more of these techniques. And, as always, drivers must consider safety first.
- Coasting. Check this one for legality. In some states, vehicles are required to be in gear at all times when travelling on the roadways. Coasting – taking the vehicle out of gear and allowing it to roll without resistance from engine compression – is best done on flat or near flat roads with minimal traffic behind.
- Dead-stick Coasting. (not recommended!) Another that may be against the law. Drivers are responsible for checking the laws and making sure they’re in compliance. For those lucky few who live in areas where no laws have addressed this, the car is completely turned off so it’s not even idling while coasting. Obviously, a shut-off engine doesn’t use any fuel at all, so the savings is absolutely max’ed out. Drivers need to be aware that this can be dangerous. No power means no power steering, power braking, etc. Depending on the key position, the steering wheel may even lock. Older vehicles – before power everything – may be easier to manage.
Hypermiling can make an unprecedented difference in fuel mileage, raising the numbers from 25 or 30 mpg to near 100! That, of course, depends on the distance available to safely coast. Conversations on hypermiling message boards show average distances of ½ to 1 ½ miles per trip. If done consistently, those miles are virtually free of fuel consumption.
Coasting May Cause Concerns
Drivers who coast need to be aware of the effect on other people. Coasting slows the vehicle down quickly, so traffic following behind may be disrupted. Also, when at the lower end of the coasting, speeds may drop to only a few miles per hour. Residents in the area may be alarmed to see a car creeping past at only 2 or 3 mph. Local law enforcement may share these concerns! Use courtesy and common sense.
Other concerns are cornering; drivers need to adjust their speed so as not to swoop into a corner too fast and lose control; and downhill grades – without engine compression speed can pick up very quickly putting everyone on the road in danger. As stated before, coasting needs to be kept to flat or near flat roadways.
Not everyone can afford a $50,000 hybrid to save fuel. Taking money saved from fuel mileage and putting it into car payments instead doesn’t make much sense, either. A few simple techniques can raise the fuel economy of most vehicles to rival that of hybrid cars if done safely, legally and consistently.
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