Ever heard of hyper-miling? It’s a rather controversial method of saving fuel that can really improve an average driver’s fuel bill. MOTORING investigates why it needs to be tackled with respect.
We all like to get something for nothing when it comes to our cars’ running costs, so anything that delivers more miles per gallon has to be welcome.
Enthusiasts who perform an extreme form of fuel saving technique known as hyper-miling use every trick in the book to slash their car’s fuel bills, often making cars travel extraordinary distances on a tank of petrol.
Some of the techniques used by hyper-miling fans can be employed by normal drivers with little or no difference to their driving or journey times. Others, however, require much more caution as they could put you or other drivers at risk. As with all driving, you must act safely.
Getting started
One of the first techniques used by hyper-milers is to keep an accurate record of the mileage and the actual fuel consumed. This lets them assess just how economically they are driving and where they might be able to save fuel. You can download fuel calculators to your computer or smartphone to help with this.
Another simple tip is to keep your car properly serviced. A well maintained car can prove to be up to 10 per cent more efficient than one that has been allowed to fester in its old oil.
Reducing weight is free and gains performance and economy, so take out all of the clutter from your car and you’ll enjoy better fuel consumption.
A breath of fresh air
At low speeds and when the weather permits it, it makes more sense to open a window or the sunroof to let in fresh air than run the air-conditioning. However, close the windows and use the air-conditioning if it’s hot as it uses less of the engine’s power at higher speeds.
As you drive along, try to read the road more carefully to avoid the need to slow down or use the brakes so much. By easing off the throttle pedal, you are saving fuel and letting the engine gently slow the car, which also saves wear on the brakes. By not using the brakes so much and going with the flow, you will be stationary for less time and that means using less energy to regain speed.
Coasting might not be such a good idea
Some hyper-milers are known to ‘coast’ by taking their car out of gear when on downhill stretches.
While this can indeed save fuel, its practice should be avoided as it lessens the control you have over the car. It’s definitely not recommended. Nor is it wise to get too close to the car or truck in front of you to try to benefit from the aerodynamic hole which they punch in the air. While this might work for Formula One drivers when overtaking, it’s just too dangerous on public roads and many hyper-milers tend to avoid this extreme technique too.
Speed matters
Last but not least, try slowing down a little bit. The difference between driving at 50mph and 60mph may only be 10mph, but your car uses around 20 per cent more fuel to achieve the higher speed. Given the congested nature of many of our roads, driving at a lower speed will have little effect on your journey time.
Put all of these simple techniques together and if treated with respect, hyper-miling fans reckon you can boost fuel economy by up to 40 per cent. Now that is a something worth having for nothing, don’t you agree?