11 Hypermiling techniques that really work

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You know how the price of gas has skyrocketed lately. So should you practice hypermiling to save money? There are some pretty extreme techniques involved that I wouldn’t recommend to anyone…

Photo: Boyce Duprey - http://flickr.com/photos/boyce-d/2579231381/

What is hypermiling? Its the practice of trying to maximize your milage (MPG) through a set of sometimes controversial techniques. Some hypermiling techniques are very extreme, to say the least.

I would never ever recommend that you draft behind a semi trailer, or removing your side mirrors to improve aerodynamics. But I would recommend borrowing these common sense techniques from hypermiling:

1. Stay at one steady speed. Frequent acceleration and braking uses up petrol.
2. Make sure your car is tuned up and serviced. Keep your can maintained properly with normal oil changes, air filter changes, coolant.
3. Make sure your brakes are in good shape. Get them checked regularily
4. Make sure you tires are balanced, aligned, and rotated often. Also make sure the pressure in your tires is correct - the wrong tire pressure will cost you money.
5. Mapping your route so that you have as few stop signs and stop lights as possible.
6. Don’t use the air conditioner, it requires more gas.
7. Wind your windows up to make the car more aerodynamic
8. Take any uneeded junk out of your boot. You are wasting gas when you drive around with extra weight.
9. Remove your roof rack if you arent using it. It will save weight and your car will be more aerodynamic. You can easily put it back on when you do need it.
10. If possible, start your commute to work when traffic is lighter. You will use less gas when you dont have to stop and start all the time.
11. Keep track of the millage you are getting. How can you know that you have improved if you dont measure it?

While some techniques of hypermiling are extreme and even dangerous, this list shows that the average person can learn something useful and save a bit of extra cash.

So whats your millage like?

Here are some other hypermiling resources if you would like to find out more:

* 100 - count ‘em - suggestions for hypermiling
* Hypermiling How-To
* Maximize Your Car’s Efficiency With ‘Hypermiling’
* How to Become a Hypermiler
* Six Amazing Hypermiling Videos