Hypermiling Basics: How to Save Gas While Driving

Around my neighborhood gas prices have hit $4.45 a gallon for regular unleaded. Premium is at least 20 cents or so more per gallon! These are the highest gas prices we've seen in the history of our country. Ok, if you're in Europe or Australia your gas prices are much higher. But most of us here in the U.S. aren't used to such high prices for our fuel. Regardless of where you live, you probably wouldn't mind learning how to save some gas. I sure wouldn't. So I decided to look into hypermiling. In case you don't know what hypermiling is, it's the pursuit of trying to get as much mileage out of your car as possible. It's gotten to the point where there are tons of internet forums and social networks about it. There are even competitions held for it. But as interesting as it is to read about all these extreme hypermilers out there, I just want to save some money on gas. And my guess is that most of you reading this article just want to save some money on gas too. I mean, I'm not about to draft an 18-wheeler at ½ a car length so I can get a few more miles per gallon. That's what I call extreme! So here are some tips on hypermiling that I think would work for regular folks like me.

Use your brakes sparingly. This is one of the most common sense things you can do to save gas. It takes energy (i.e. fuel) to get your car in motion by accelerating. When you brake, that energy is dissipated as heat. Then you have to use your fuel to accelerate again. So try to time the traffic lights with your braking. When you see a red light up ahead, try to coast as long as possible to it. This seems like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised at how many people keep their foot on the gas even when the light up ahead has turned red.

Don't leave your car running. These days most cars have fuel-injection systems that make it more efficient to shut off and restart the engine than to sit and idle for 15 seconds or more.

Go at the speed limit or slightly slower. Driving at 55 miles per hour will save you a lot of fuel versus driving at 65 or 70. Just be sure to obey all local traffic laws and stay in the slow lane to be considerate of faster drivers, who apparently have money to burn in their gas tanks.

Lighten the load in your car. If you're like me, you probably carry around a whole bunch of stuff in your trunk. Take as much of that junk as possible out of your car. Every extra pound you carry around in your car will cause it to be just a little less efficient...and those extra pounds can add up.

Don't have a "lead foot." There's no reason to stomp on the gas pedal when the light turns green. Do you really want to throw your money away just so you can get to the next red light faster?

Maintain your vehicle. Keep your car well maintained, especially your tires. Make sure they are inflated to the appropriate tire pressure. This will reduce rolling resistance so you can coast for longer distances. Remember to get your oil changed and your air filter changed as well.

Always check your gas mileage. This is probably the most important thing for you to do because it will allow you to get feedback on how you're doing with the other techniques described here. Calculate your gas mileage every time to fill up to see how the changes in your driving method are working.

None of the items listed above should be surprising to you. But you probably just haven't been thinking about how you drive. Give it a try and see your MPG climb...and you can save some money too!