As the price of gasoline approaches and in some spots exceeds $4 a gallon, everyone starts talking again about fuel efficiency. With gas prices generally being higher here in San Diego and Los Angeles compared to other parts of the country, drivers are looking for new ways to make the most of a fill-up and pay less at the pump. Here are a ways, some a bit more practical than others, that you can increase your miles per gallon and spend less on that morning commute or weekend getaway:
Get Radical in Your Driving with Hypermiling
One way to significantly increase your MPG is by an “extreme” driving method known as hypermiling. Part minimalist movement, part eco-friendly and part thrift, hypermiling is a rising trend in which drivers minimize the use of the gas and brake pedals and rely on things like coasting or coming to a rolling stop. Drivers use the most gas when accelerating quickly or stopping abruptly. Hypermilers recognize this so they go to great lengths to avoid doing these 2 major gas-wasting acts by rolling to red lights and slowly accelerating when the light turns green.
Discover Drastic Measures Hypermilers Do to Save Gas
Extreme hypermilers remove anything heavy from their cars (including unnecessary seats, racks, carpet, and other weight bearing items) and drive with their side mirrors turned in to eliminate any possible drag. Following the model of electronic vehicles such as the Toyota Prius, hypermilers will turn off the car at red lights or while sitting in traffic (though of course true hypermilers avoid traffic at all costs as engine idling is the biggest waste of gas of them all).
Slowing Down to Save for Hypermilers and Everyone Else
Drivers who hypermile also avoid driving over 50 or 55 miles per hour as driving faster expends more energy or gasoline. Serious hypermilers aren’t likely to make many friends on the road, and one should never disobey traffic laws such as speed limits for the sake of saving a few pennies at the pump.
Even you aren’t a hypermiler you can save quite a bit of cash and extend your miles per gallon by keeping your speed between 55 and 60 as that’s where most vehicles get the maximum fuel efficiency. You can save quite a bit – 10% to 25% — by reducing your speed from 65 miles per hour to 60 or from 70 miles per hour to 65.
In addition to speeding, reckless driving or road rage driving will also cost you every time you fill up. Accelerating quickly, changing lanes suddenly, and then slamming on the brakes will cost you quite a bit. Driving when angry or in a rush puts you in a position where you are more likely to do these things and therefore spend extra money on fuel.
Reduce Your Driving Costs by Using Cruise Control
Using cruise control when you know you are going to be driving on the highway for several miles can save you quite a bit. That’s because when you drive on the highway you tend to press on the gas unnecessarily. Every time you do this, you are using more gas than you need to. Cruise control keeps you going at the desired speed without those small accelerations that can negatively add up over time.
Get Regularly Scheduled Auto Repair and Maintenance
In addition to cruise control, make sure you are driving on tires that are inflated to proper levels. Many auto repair shops in San Diego can help you out with this for a low cost or help you check the tire pressure if you don’t know how to do it. (Check your owner’s manual for proper tire pressure levels.) While you are at your auto repair shop, make sure your oil changes and filter replacements are performed as needed. A well maintained vehicle drives much more efficiently than a poorly maintained one.
Invest in Auto AC Repair for Better Vehicle Efficiency in the Heat
Some hypermilers would say to never use air conditioning to save money and gas, and they would be wrong. It is advisable to avoid using the AC and to roll down the windows only in stop and go traffic to stretch your fuel funds. (There is even a movement afoot where hypermilers are mechanically removing their entire AC systems from the vehicle!) However, if you are driving on the highway of speeds 55 or over, it is better to have the AC on than to have the windows rolled down, particularly with newer model vehicles with fine-tuned AC systems. Of course a vehicle that gets regular auto AC repair will perform much better for you in this regard.
