Try the Hypermiler (08/14/08)
With today's record gas prices burning holes in the pockets of drivers across the country, we all wish our cars got better fuel efficiency. But as we complain about the pitifully few miles to the gallon our vehicles achieve, experienced hypermilers say that drivers should be more efficient as well. Whether you drive a Prius or a fire truck, a little hypermiling could likely get you more miles to the gallon and in some cases a lot more--up to 100 miles per gallon in a hybrid. Here is a handful of tricks: Don't slam on the brakes or stomp on the gas. Rapid starts and abrupt stops waste fuel. Give the brakes a break, and drive as if you didn't have any. Anticipate upcoming stops, step off the gas, and let your vehicle run out of momentum. Time stoplights so that you don't waste gas idling in front of them. If there's a red light ahead, slow down to give it a chance to turn green. Park efficiently. Look for spots on downward slopes and use gravity instead of the engine to start moving. Park in spots with the front of the car facing out so that you can leave in one motion without braking. (The GreenGuide.com)
