10 Hyper-Miling Techniques for Greener Driving

Your mileage can vary —with driving techniques that save fuel.

Here at Green Prophet, we’re in favor of increasing “green” mass transportation and reducing dependence on private vehicles. But people who need to drive fuel-based vehicles, whether for work or emergencies, can use “hypermiling” techniques to save gas. There have even been contests to get maximum fuel efficiency, sometimes double the kilometers per liter advertised by the car manufacturer. Using less fuel means less pollution, less drilling and a greener planet.

Here are ten simple hyper-miling techniques to get you started:

1. Keep your engine clean and well maintained.
2. Inflate your tires to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
3. Install a gauge to keep track of your fuel  consumption on every trip.
4. Remove unused roof racks, and other unnecessary weight. Keep your spare tire, but you might want to reconsider the one around your waist. Every 22 extra kilograms can reduce fuel effiency by 1 percent.
5. Park in a spot where you can get a rolling start.
6. Maintain a steady but safe speed in traffic, without braking. Stop-and-go driving wastes gas. If you leave a gap between your car and the car in front of you, so you won’t have to brake when other cars switch into your lane. Less braking prevents traffic jams too.
7. Stick close to a speed of 90 kilometers an hour where legal. It’s still considered the most efficient speed for most vehicles.
8. Turn off your engine when stopping for more than 30 to 60 seconds, including at stoplights.
9. Avoid the air-conditioner, close the windows and open the inside vents instead. Park in the shade, with your windows slightly open. Turn off the air-conditioner five minutes before you reach your destination
10. Take your foot off the accelerator and coast whenever possible.

Photo credit: Michael Spencer

Resources:

OpenTravelInfo

CleanGPA

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