Hypermiling is a
relatively new pastime which can be practiced in any
vehicle regardless of its fuel economy and has gained in popularity
as a result
of the rising fuel prices of the last
decade. The
main aim being to exceed the manufacturers claimed fuel consumption figures. While common techniques can be
carried out by average motorists making minor changes in their driving habits,
many hypermilers use more advanced techniques such as drafting (tailgating to
pick up an aerodynamic tow from the vehicle in front), some of which are
illegal in most if not all jurisdictions. The current
record for a ‘hypermiler is 213 miles per gallon in a Honda Insight!
There was a good article
in the daily telegraph recently by Peter Hall which highlights the top 10 tips and
tricks
for getting the best fuel economy from your car: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/2752696/Economy-driving-How-to-cut-your-fuel-costs.html
1.
Lose weight. The heavier your car, the more energy (fuel) is required to move it, so
in the words of legendary Lotus designer Colin Chapman, "just add lightness".
Every ounce you lose will save money at the pumps, so throw out anything you
wouldn't find on Lewis Hamilton's Formula One car: owner's manual, floor mats,
loose change, cuddly toys, lipsticks, old Telegraph Motorings, nodding dogs,
road atlases, blankets, wellies, "baby on board" signs, tissue boxes,
cricket bats, CDs and all the junk in the boot, including the emergency petrol
can; replace the jack and spare wheel with a can of emergency tyre foam. Leave
the fuel tank as empty as you dare; petrol weighs about 0.74kg (1.6lb) per
litre, diesel even more, so a full tank is almost as much of a burden as a
hundredweight of coal. Mind you, teenage passengers are even heavier...
2.
Let it roll. Think how
difficult it is to pedal a bike with a puncture. Keep your tyres at the maximum
recommended pressure and consider low-rolling resistance "eco" tyres
when you need new ones. Also have the wheel alignment checked so the car runs
easily straight and true.
3.
Make it slippery. Not with baby oil, unless you love your car to an unnatural degree, but
by mimimising aerodynamic drag at speed. Keep windows and the sunroof closed
and open cabin air vents only to prevent drowsiness. Remove roof racks, top
boxes, cycle carriers and purely cosmetic body additions with the exception of
plastic hubcaps on steel wheels (except in town, where you could lose them to
save more weight).
4.
How cool is cool? Air conditioning is less costly than open windows, but it still saps
power and can increase the fuel thirst of a small engine by up to 10 per cent.
If already fitted you need to run it once a week to keep the system healthy,
but this is Britain, not Bermuda - how cold do you need to be? If the cabin
gets too hot, fit reflective film to the rear windows/sunroof and take off your
hat.
5.
Fuel's gold. You'll find the cheapest local source at http://www.pumps.ie/ but don't use a euro's worth of fuel
to reach a filling station where you can save 50c on a tankful. Avoid false
economy; high-octane brews offer small efficiency gains, cheap rubbish can
damage the engine. Also rememb
er the weight issue: the less fuel you carry
around the less fuel you'll use, so only buy as much as you need; the low-fuel
warning light is sure to make you drive carefully anyway. Don't be fooled by
products that claim to improve economy, be they magnets, ma
gic pellets or snake
oil; they don't work.
6.
Make your own. You can run a diesel car on vegetable oil, and you can process up to
2,500 litres per year at home without attracting fuel duty. Your main
difficulty might be finding a source, as commercial operations are moving in to
take used oil from takeaways and restaurants. If you already own a chip shop,
you're laughing.
7.
Drive like Dan Dare. Treat your car like a spaceship. As soon as you can, accelerate smoothly
and gently up to a safe, appropriate (and legal) speed and select as high a
gear as possible, keeping the revs down to minimise fuel use without labouring
the engine. Between short fuel burns to maintain momentum, lift off the
accelerator completely, which shuts off the fuel supply. Never coast in
neutral; idling uses more fuel than running in gear on a closed throttle. If
you're not moving at all, switch off.
8.
Don't use the brakes. Brakes turn fuel
into waste heat and should be used as little as possible (try never on
motorways). Approaching any obstruction, such as traffic lights on red (or
green for a long time and likely to change), don't just drive up to it and
brake; reduce your speed by lifting off the accelerator, aiming to roll to a
stop at the right place. Make driving an enjoyable game of economy and
accuracy, like bowls, rather than a test of nerve, like Grand Theft Auto.
Advanced tuition will help you drive economically as well as safely.
9.
Plan your journey. It has been estimated that perhaps a third of city traffic is lost or
looking for somewhere to park, so plan your journey from A to Z; write a list
of directions on a piece of paper (cheaper and lighter than a sat-nav unit) and
stick it in an easily visible place on your dashboard or steering wheel boss.
Use motorways and free-flowing roads whenever possible; a car is most
fuel-efficient at a steady speed.
10.
Do your homework. Don't rush to replace a "thirsty" car until you've worked out
the cost/benefit equation; you want to save mon
ey, not spend it. Used values
are falling, and unless you're downsizing from a BMW to a banger or a
motorcycle/scooter (or indeed selling up altogether and joining a car-share
club) you might be better off running your current car as efficiently as
possible for as long as you can. If you're changing anyway, the smallest diesel
that suits your needs is probably best. The less fuel a car burns, the lower
its tax-defining CO2 emissions ought to be.