Hypermiling: Does It Work?

Saving Fuel Prices Hypermiling websites promise better gas mileage through simply changing the way you drive. News 5’s Chad Petri tries out hypermiling and shows us how to do it safely.

by Chad Petri

Published: Thu, July 17, 2008 - 4:02 am CST Last Updated: Thu, July 17, 2008 - 4:11 am CST

Before even getting into his car, mechanic Mark Hendry goes through a semi-regular ritual. He checks his tire pressure, replaces a filthy air filter and makes sure his engine's in good working order. While not a strict “hypermiler”, Mark says he's very cautious.

“Tell you like my wife tells me, I drive like an old man,” says Hendry. On websites like Cleanmpg.com or Hypermiling.com, avid “hypermilers” claim you can increase your fuel efficiency by changing driving habits. Since late April, I tracked my average miles per gallon. After using some new techniques I've upped my fuel economy by 13%. Basic hypermiling involves keeping your car in motion for as long as possible and coasting whenever you can.

“Anytime you're using your brakes you're using up gas money to slow your car down,” says Hypermiling.com administrator Steve Chafe. His site lists ways to improve your fuel economy. You can use your cruise control to accelerate slowly and don't floor it at a green light. Most of hypermiling seems perfectly fine but some of its more extreme techniques can be dangerous and or illegal.

Take a look at what’s known as a “forced auto stop.” Get your car up to a certain speed, throw it into neutral and kill the engine. It's a way the hypermilers save the most gas but it's also illegal in a lot of states. This includes Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.

“Our statute says if you disengage the clutch or the transmission and continue moving on the roadway it's a violation,” says Alabama State Trooper Corporal Stan Stabler. Most hypermiling websites recommend against this and drafting. You can improve your fuel economy by drafting behind a big truck. In order to do that, you have to be 10 feet away to get the most benefit. That's dangerous and illegal because if the truck stops, you're in trouble.

“You've got to leave ample space between vehicles to safely react to someone breaking or other vehicles moving out in front of you,” says Stabler. We highlighted some of the more extreme hypermiling techniques, but most sites put safety ahead of saving gas.

“We're promoting the safe things and there are a few things everybody can do really easily,” says Hypermiling.com administrator Steve Chafe. If you are considering the hypermiling lifestyle, the first thing you have to do is start charting your average miles per gallon. You can use your trip odometer and compare that to your gas receipt every time you fill up.

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∞ Steve Chafe’s Hypermiling Website

∞ Popular Hypermiling Site

∞ More Than 100 Different Hypermiling Techniques

∞ Gas Prices Where You Live

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southfan1981 Says:

Fri, Jul 18, 2008 at 9:05 am

WEll, Heloooooo I just like the feel of it in my paid for, old beat up pickup truck that stills gets 28 MPH…. as I coast. I assume sitting at a light with it out of gear is fine? Also, I kinda sorta like to SKEER those idiots who pull up on my bumper at a light… I slightly ROLL BACK.. hehehehehe

DEW26M Says:

Fri, Jul 18, 2008 at 5:08 am

southfan1981 using your gears as a brake is NOT illegal, and actually the proper way to drive in hilly conditions. However, COASTING out of gear IS illegal, but there’s no way they can actually tell if you are or aren’t coasting from outside your vehicle.

southfan1981 Says:

Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 10:03 pm

I had no idea it was illegal to have your car out of gear while travelling. So, when I coast between changing gears, that’s dangerous? I use my gears as brakes when I am in the mountains. Is that wrong, too?

Mom2AngelBaby Says:

Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 9:15 pm

I agree with all of you. Never knew what hypermiling even was don’t recall ever hearing the word honestly. Sometimes the news gives to much information. I don’t think I’ll be trying that trick. Oh nothing is more frustrating than someone rushing around you to catch a red light and you both stop at the same time. That just cracks me up! Tailgating! Sometimes honestly I would like to slow down make a stop in the roadway and walk back there and inform them that I have a 3 year old son in my vehicle that I’d like to have in my life could you please back off a little or go around. Whats the hurry if your late for work your late whats it matter if its 5 min or 15? Oh and lane changing when you know you have to make a turn ahead, why wait until you get there to make that decision..thats stupid. You should always position yourself beforehand.

KxVx Says:

Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 9:43 am

I had a friend tell me about using cruise control as much as possible and I noticed QUITE a difference, so I’ve been doing it ever since!

BamaBob Says:

Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 8:28 am

I must admit on my drive in to work this morning, after dropping over 60 bucks into my tank, I thought about this story. However, I was not even tempted to try this one out while cruising the interstate with 18-wheelers trying to eat my bumper.

DEW26M Says:

Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 4:03 am

WOW, yeah lets get up to speed then shut off our engine, you’ll just be WITHOUT power brakes and power steering, but hey it’s worth getting in an accident to save 13% on gas! I CAN NOT believe they even included the thought of DRAFTING behind a 18-wheeler to save gas! As a holder of a Class A CDL, I will tell you that is the dumbest mistake you could ever make, AND POSSIBLY YOUR LAST!!!! Come on Chad, you trying to get people hurt? These are the dumbest and most dangerous ways I have ever heard of just to save a few dollars!

bigme100 Says:

Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 12:09 am

Isn’t it a little dumb that the story essentially highlighted the two illegal ways to hyper mile, and didn’t really say anything but ‘don’t slam on the gas’? Why would the reporter get on the air and intentionally break the law by showing exactly how to do a forced auto stop in the first place, and say “hey this is how you can draft…it saves gas?” I know its sweeps and everything, but someone should’ve put two and two together in an editorial meeting or something here, bad reportage.

southfan1981 Says:

Wed, Jul 16, 2008 at 6:58 pm

I love driving like an old lady, even at my age!

BamaBob Says:

Wed, Jul 16, 2008 at 6:18 pm

Wouldn’t it be simpler to just hook a chain on the bumber of your buddies pickup truck?
__
Nothing about that looked like a good idea. We would be better off cutting a hole in the floor board and doing the old Fred Flintstone foot power thang.

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