All of us are guilty of complaining about the cost of petrol, whilst doing our best to waste what petrol we buy. Mostly this is through our own ignorance, not realizing that there are ways to improve our car's fuel efficiency. The following steps will help you achieve a life that is richer in pocket and clean air.
What is 'Hypermiling'?
'Hypermiling' is a set of simple techniques and practices that aim at maximizing your car's fuel efficiency through calculated and safe driving. The truth of the matter is that these practices can dramatically increase your car's mileage and ensures that you do not need to sell your gas guzzler for a hybrid. These techniques will help you squeeze every last mile out of you car.
Here are a few things all of us must learn and implement from hypermiling-
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town.
Speed Kills MPG
According to studies backed by the department of energy, the average car will be at its advertised MPG at 55 mph. But as the speed increases:- 3% less efficient at 60 mph
- 8% less efficient at 65 mph
- 17% less efficient at 70 mph
- 23% less efficient at 75 mph
- 28% less efficient at 80 mph
If you normally travel at 75 mph, you could be saving yourself $58.40 per year if you drove at 60mph - and you'd only be making your total commute 4 minutes longer.
2)Switch off the engine ONLY if you are stopping for more than one minute. The engine uses up extra fuel while switching on. Hence, do not switch off your engines if you are not stopping for more than a minute. This is a common misconception. Most people switch off their engines even if they stop for just 10 seconds. This infact uses up more fuel than what the engine would have consumed if it remained on for the 10 seconds.
To know what the recommended tire pressure for your car is, click here.
To know that the recommended tire pressure for your motorcycle is, click here.
Please note that the tire pressures mentioned at the side of the tire is the maximum pressure and not the optimum pressure.
4)Avoid "revving" the engine, especially just before you switch the engine off; this wastes fuel needlessly and washes oil down from inside the cylinder walls. This is really bad thing for the next start up, as the cylinder walls will be dry.
5)Combine errands into one trip . It saves you time and money. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. Trip planning ensures that traveling is done when the engine is warmed-up and efficient.
6)Drive in the highest gear possible without labouring the engine is a fuel-efficient way of driving. Driving at 60 km/h, a vehicle will use 25% more fuel in third gear than it would in fifth. Travelling at fast rates in low gears can consume up to 45 per cent more fuel than is needed. If you have an onboard trip computer, you probably have an "Instant fuel economy" setting. Watch this gauge and keep the litres per 100 kilometres as low as you can. The manufacturers have made this interesting by turning it into a bit of a game. The new Ford Fusion Hybrid has a leafy graphic display that sprouts leafs each time you reach a fuel economy milestone.
7)Have a regular engine check-up. Since the advent of computer
controlled fuel injection, there is no such thing as an old fashioned "tune-up" any more. At worst, you may be expected to replace spark plugs, oxygen sensor, the air and fuel filters.
Quick check your car
You don’t have to be an auto mechanic to maintain your car. Giving your
car a regular check-up can keep you safe and your car running smoothly.
Use these simple Quick Check tips to give your car a fast, but thorough,
once-over.
8)At the pump, keep the hose in the tank until after the pump shuts off and make sure you allow all the fuel to pour out of the nozzle. As much as a quarter of a cup can pour from the hose. It's yours, you paid for it.
9)Remove unnecessary items from your car, particularly if they are heavy, because carrying heavy loads increases gas consumption. For each extra 50kgs of weight, your car's mileage can go down by 2 percent. Packing items on a roof rack or carrier encourages wind resistance and decreases fuel economy by about 5 percent.
10)Park in a cool area or the shade. Heat causes gasoline to evaporate. Parking in a shady spot has the added benefit of keeping the car cool, lessening the necessity for air conditioning.
11)Choose the right octane gas for your car. Check the owner's manual to find out what octane your engine needs. Octane ratings measure fuel's ability to resist engine knock. But the higher the octane, the higher the price. Only about 6 per cent of cars sold need premium gas. Still, premium gas accounts for about 10 per cent of all gas sold. Resist the urge to buy higher octane gas for "premium" performance.
12)You can improve your gas mileage by one to two per cent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by one to two per cent. Thicker oil is harder to pump. This adds to parasitic horsepower loses.
13)SUV owners should switch from an aggressive patterned off-road tread to a fuel efficient highway tread. This increases fuel economy to a large extent. Off-road tyres are tweaked to provide maximum grip, and tend to wear away quicker than fuel efficient highway treads.
14)Select the narrowest possible tires for your vehicle that will satisfy your driving style and demands. Narrow tires have less frontal area, thus reducing aerodynamic drag. Remember, however, that narrow tires have less traction as well (which is why race cars have such wide tires). Do not get a tire that is incompatible with your wheels, and do not get smaller wheels unless your manufacturer approves.
15)Think ahead! Drive smoothly. By applying light throttle and avoiding heavy braking, you can reduce both fuel consumption and wear and tear. Research suggests driving techniques can influence fuel efficiency by as much as 30 per cent.
These are a few of my observations on how to increase fuel economy. I'm sure each and everyone of you has their own, and hence I invite you all to add your experiences to the comments tab. Yes, even you 'hyper-milers' are welcome.
To keep a track of your car's mileage, visit TrackYourGasMileage.com
For more information on hypermiling, its history, and even more advanced techniques, check out the sites below:
- Hypermiling: Quest for Ultimate Fuel Economy
- Hypermiling : rebelling against rising gas prices
- Tips to Increase Your Car's Miles Per Gallon
