Save fuel by ‘hypermiling’: this is how you do it | Car

The techniques that so-called hypermilers use to even more economical driving than the manufacturer considers possible, can be used by any motorist who wants to maximize fuel consumption or range. Extreme hypermilers quickly save tens of percent, simply because they do their utmost day in, day out to squeeze as many kilometers as possible from a liter of fuel. In daily use, however, you can quickly save ten percent of fuel with a few simple tips.

Hypermiling gained popularity in the United States when gasoline prices were sky high in the early 2000s. With high prices at the pump, many motorists bought fuel-saving hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius. Fans of these economical cars quickly tried to make this car even more economical to drive by applying smart driving techniques. Hypermiling is still a popular pastime with some drivers. Marathons are even held and hypermilers like to share their experiences on social media. You can also use it in normal traffic situations to minimize your fuel consumption.

The hypermilers always start by asking whether they should really ride. If a five-minute drive can be replaced by walking or cycling, they leave the car at home. If they have to drive, they plan a route that is as smooth as possible. And it also requires as little acceleration and deceleration as possible. They will also try to drive at a time when it is less busy. Hypermiling is all about maintaining speed. The more you brake and accelerate on hills or in heavy traffic, the less efficiently you drive.

A hypermiling car is also optimized to drive as efficiently as possible. This means that the car is regularly maintained and that the tires are always at the correct pressure, so that the rolling resistance is good. Any unused items in the boot are removed to save weight, which also helps improve fuel economy.

A hypermiler who parks his car will always try to use the location to his advantage. When it is cold, they park the car facing the sun so that the sun melts a frozen windshield. Then you don’t have to use the car’s heating for this. And when it’s hot, they park in the shade so the car’s air conditioning doesn’t have to work too hard to lower the temperature in the car.

Some hypermilers park in optimal positions so that they don’t waste fuel with unnecessary maneuvers around the parking spaces. Usually this means that they park in reverse, so that they immediately drive forward. Some park on downhill slopes so they can ‘coast’ using as little fuel as possible, although it is not recommended as you do not have full control of a coasting vehicle.

On the road, hypermilers will drive slowly and steadily and anticipate to plan their maneuvers in advance, rather than reacting to what is happening directly in front of the car. With a low speed you improve consumption considerably, although it is probably best to maintain a reasonable speed. Then you won’t antagonize fellow road users.

Throttle and steering are used smoothly, while Driving Without Brakes (DWB) is a popular mantra among hypermilers. They try to drive as long as possible without touching the middle pedal. This means that a hypermiler looks further ahead than the average road user and should also drive less erratically.

Coasting, allowing the car to roll without the engine driving the wheels, has led to some discussion. Some proponents of hypermiling put their cars in neutral to save fuel, by idling the engine on downhill roads. Others shut off the engine completely to save fuel (a technique known as Forced Auto Stop or FAS).

The latter technique can be dangerous because turning off the motor can interrupt power to the so-called servos that help with braking and steering. You also run the risk of the steering lock being engaged. No director should have to deal with this form of rollout. Many modern cars feature technology that causes the engine to idle as soon as the throttle is released, increasing efficiency in a safe, controlled manner and eliminating the need for coasting anyway.

Another controversial hypermiling technique is slipstreaming other traffic. This has its roots in motorsport, where cars sometimes drive bumper to bumper in convoy to improve airflow. While NASCAR racers try to drive as fast as possible by reducing drag, hypermilers use the disrupted airflow to reduce their consumption. The lower air pressure behind a vehicle means that the following car uses less energy to reach the same speed.

However, this usually endangers the hypermiler and the vehicle they are following, as they have to drive close to their predecessor to reach their goal. They would stay well within the golden rule of ‘two seconds’. It is designed for driving in dry conditions. Slipstreaming will shorten the reaction and braking time of the hypermiler if the vehicle in front suddenly slows down. And economical driving should not lead to accidents.

Again, responsible hypermilers avoid this technique and always recommend maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front. You can save just as much fuel by keeping your distance and anticipating what will happen next by looking as far down the road as possible.