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by Marks

Last Post 2 days, 1 hour Ago


What is Hypermiling?
May 29, 2008 | 11:57 PM
Category: News
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I have always been an aggressive driver. Don't you dare attempt to get between me and the vehicle I am following! I know road rage well enough to revisit all the words in my Sailor lexicon!!!

Well, gas is hitting $4 per gallon. Isn't it funny how money dictates behavior? Scott McClellan is a very happy man now that he has money from his book, which is most certainly marketed to all the kool-aid drinkers out there. My guess is he moves to California soon, much like Jed Clampett. Sorry, this is meant to be "news" but discussing politics in news happens all the time.

So, how am I stretching my $40 dollar refills (based on $4.00 gas)? First, a little background: my vehicle is rated as 24 mpg HWY. On just about every drive I take, I am driving the city routes, making my vehicle average somewhere close to 21 mpg. Worse, I am the driver I described above. Aggressive and inclined to rage when I feel a driver has "cut me off" or traffic is not acting in the manner of the Red Sea when Charleton Heston spreads his arms.

That is, until I was half-way through a recent tank of gas. I saw the term hypermiling (meaning found here) used in a news article. I googled the term and arrived at the above link. For the rest of that tank of gas I have dutifully followed several of the tips included. I refilled my tank with 10 gallons of 87 octane (I never let my tank fall below 1/4 tank) and checked my trip meter: 241.3 miles. Do the math.

I am on my first full tank of gas trying the hypermiling techniques. If my math is correct, I may reach 26 mpg or better. What does that compute to? 50 more miles per fill-up. Couple this with my weekly tire pressure check/optimization and I am cooking with motor oil (tire pressure is directly related to friction - the underinflated tire can cost 1-2 mpg or worse).

The big question I had with starting the hypermiling regimen was: How can I, Mr. Impatient, contain my usual reaction to drivers who act, well, like the old me? Surprise! I had a job to do at DFW today and taking the GHWB at rush hour was completely different from my other trips. I used to fight my way into the other lane, only to see it stop. Today, I drove with a huge amount of space between my car and the car in front of me. True, there were a couple of zealous speed-demons who pulled into that space, only to make a complete stop as I continued to maintain my vehicle momentum.

I'm a convert, but only because it saves me money.

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Member Comments Total Comments: 4
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banned_sally read my blog
May 30, 2008 | 7:35 AM

What a fun, informative blog, Mark.

I'll have to definitely try your fancy hypermiling technique. We have a ginormous roadtrip coming up and could definitely use all the gas saving tips we can get.

And YOU? A road-rager!? Color me surprised. :)
Marks read my blog view my photos
May 30, 2008 | 8:43 AM

Sally, I learned to drive on the streets and highways of Southern California. They don't teach "defensive" driving there - unless you are talking about armoring your car and wearing a bulletproof vest. If you tried some of these techniques there, you might get shot.
scottythecomic read my blog view my photos
May 30, 2008 | 9:44 AM

Marks is right. I learned to drive in my hometown of San Diego, California. There one learns offensive driving. I give credit to Mr. Dalrymple for my driving style. The aforementioned was allowing me to drive onto the I-8 headed east from El Cajon. I sped up but not to Mr. D's liking. He gave me a C for the day, admonishing me that I'd like as not be run over and killed entering the freeway like I did with any regularity. On my next attempt I kicked the sedan into passing gear and flew onto I-8 at 72. From then on I earned A's. My driving style hasn't changed.
furbie read my blog view my photos
May 31, 2008 | 11:16 AM

I drove in LA once. I thought I'd see the cops pass next, just knew it was a police chase.

Come to find out, it was just the regular morning commute !

Those people only drive sixty when they parallel park !
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Marks

Gone golfing. Permanently, I believe...

Member Since: 10/9/2006


 

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