Hypermiling: How Changing Your Driving Style Can Save You Money
The average Brit spends tens of thousands of pounds on fuel over a lifetime. But by changing the way you drive, or hypermiling, you can save a small fortune…
Unload Your Car
It’s less of a hypermiling technique and more simple common sense. The heavier your car is, the harder it is for your engine to build up speed and to get things moving. Avid hypermilers keep their vehicles as light as possible. That means keeping the boot, dash and side panels as free from clutter as is humanely possible. Even a modest stockpile of CDs can make a difference; so scrap them for an iPod. Remove bike racks and never exceed the loading capacity listed in your owner’s manual.
Actively Monitor MPG
Learning hypermiling techniques takes time and effort. A good starting point is to get into the habit of actively monitoring your car’s miles per gallon (mpg) reading. Most modern vehicles will show a fuel consumption reading. It’ll allow you to see how your driving behaviour is affecting your fuel economy. Perhaps you’re accelerating too harshly, or maybe it’s your braking that’s letting you down. Even way, take some time to work out what you’re getting right and what needs improvement before sinking your teeth into hypermiling.
Plan Your Journeys
The best hypermilers don’t simply adjust their behaviours behind the wheel, they methodically plan and trial their routes. Whether it’s a busy commute or a Sunday road trip, different routes and settings have different effects on our fuel consumption. An ideal route has minimal stops and allows you to keep moving for as long as possible; on a motorway, for instance. The worst are traffic dense, involving a lot of stopping and starting. Choose routes with the least amount of traffic, traffic lights and pedestrians. The fewer there are means less braking and less acceleration. Your wallet will thank you later.
Pulse And Glide
The best hypermiling techniques can also be fun. Pulse and glide does what it says on the tin. It involves a short burst of acceleration and then removing one’s foot from the accelerator altogether; leaving the vehicle to ‘glide.’ This means distance is covered without any acceleration. A 20% increase in fuel efficiency has been observed when pulse and glide it executed properly. It works best when the engine is not running, but gains can also be achieved when it is.
Brake In Good Time
We felt ‘brake efficiently’ was more apt (and safe) than ‘brake less.’ But the fact of the matter is a safe driver probably uses their brakes less frequently than an unsafe one. Why? Because someone who sticks to speed limits, remains observant of obstacles and makes manoeuvres gently won’t need their brakes as often. Every time you brake, you’re going to have to accelerate to build up speed again; that means increased fuel consumption. Efficient braking means less braking, which means getting more value from your fuel and less strain on your car’s components to boot.
Try To Accelerate Smoothly
According to experienced hypermilers, quick but smooth acceleration delivers the best results. What you want to do is maximise coasting time; that means, as with braking, cutting back on the amount of accelerating you actually do. The best way of doing this is by anticipating what’s ahead. For instance, when approaching a red light drivers can ease off of the throttle. The purpose of this is to avoid having to stop, which means the need for more acceleration.
Here’s How Much Time We Spend Stuck In Traffic Over A Lifetime – https://autoserveclub.co.uk/blog/heres-how-much-time-we-spend-stuck-in-traffic-over-a-lifetime/
Nissan Has Sold A Million Crossovers In The UK Since 2007 – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-tips-advice/nissan-has-sold-a-million-crossovers-in-the-uk-since-2007/
