Hypermiling

[xavier fremboe]

Anyone else trying this?  From 30mpg to 40 on the way in to work, and about 30 from 23 on the way home.  All without emitting a cloud of smug.  Actually, I'm not emitting anything, since the car's off much of the time...

[Manedwolf]

From what I've heard, it's a good way to get hit in the rear, or to hear a lot of horns.

[Nick1911]

From what I've heard, it's a good way to get hit in the rear, or to hear a lot of horns.

I've heard this as well.  I (personally) don't wish to sacrifice safety to save a few bucks.

[xavier fremboe]

From what I've heard, it's a good way to get hit in the rear, or to hear a lot of horns.

I've heard this as well.  I (personally) don't wish to sacrifice safety to save a few bucks.

It's actually not that much of a variation on my normal driving.  Usually hitting the speed limit and slapping it into neutral on the downhill on surface roads.  Difference now is to kill the engine on the downhill and roll-start when I need to and leave 5 minutes early from work (unbelievable the difference in traffic.).  In five years driving my current route, I've had people pass me on a double stripe maybe twice a year just to meet them at the stoplight a mile down the road. 

I won't do it on an interstate, though.  You would get your ass run over.  I'll do it on backroads, but not to the same extent.

[Manedwolf]

Difference now is to kill the engine on the downhill

Uh. I don't know about you, but I can't turn my car off with the key unless it's in "P", which locks the steering. That is to ensure that you cannot start the vehicle while it's in gear, letting it take off unexpectedly.

Why on earth would you want to be messing with the ignition while coming off a hill, anway? Talk about a distraction.

Also, there are FEW things more infuriating than some slowpoke going 20mph below the speed limit on a double-line two lane back road! If you're going so slow that you're causing people to illegally pass you on a double yellow, you're presenting a hazard, since they could have a head-on.

If you're that worried about mileage to take it to that extreme, either:

1) Don't drive
2) Bus

 

Drive the car as it's designed to be driven. IMO.

[Gewehr98]

We used to call that "Mexican Overdrive".

My 1960 Chevy Apache 20 would actually go faster downhill using the technique. 

[xavier fremboe]

Difference now is to kill the engine on the downhill

Uh. I don't know about you, but I can't turn my car off with the key unless it's in "P", which locks the steering. That is to ensure that you cannot start the vehicle while it's in gear, letting it take off unexpectedly.

Why on earth would you want to be messing with the ignition while coming off a hill, anway? Talk about a distraction.

Also, there are FEW things more infuriating than some slowpoke going 20mph below the speed limit on a double-line two lane back road! If you're going so slow that you're causing people to illegally pass you on a double yellow, you're presenting a hazard, since they could have a head-on.

If you're that worried about mileage to take it to that extreme, either:

1) Don't drive
2) Bus

 

Drive the car as it's designed to be driven. IMO.

To clarify:
1.  I'm not going below the speed limit.  I hate that, too.  I'm not forcing anyone to pass me.  It's the jackholes that are wanting to go 45 in a 30 to hurry up and wait at the next light.  cf. Biker post.
2.  I'm driving a stick.  I don't think you can roll-start an automatic.
3.  Killing the engine on a long downhill is something I've been doing since high school and didn't have enough money to keep the tank full when diesel.  I'd have to back and check the distance, but I've driven the speed limit with the engine off for over 15 minutes coming back in to Denver in college.  Not something to do in traffic, but if you've got the space around you.

I've actually seen the biggest gains by leaving 5 minutes early from work.  It's worth about 6mpg.  This isn't a treehugging thing, or even necessarily a monetary thing.  It's just a different way of driving.  Consciously planning when I'm going to hit the next light keeps my mind engaged.  It's less distracting than you think.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

what do you drive that won't let you turn it off in neutral?

[xavier fremboe]

what do you drive that won't let you turn it off in neutral?

Probably an automatic.  You can turn it off, but I don't think you can start it on the move without using the starter since there's no clutch to pop.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

i see... to make it safer for the children

[MechAg94]

I guess you are in a unique situation where you have favorable downhill runs.  I don't.  All flat down here along the Gulf Coast.  If I tried to coast my truck, I would slow down. 

As fas as poking along to coast to stop lights, sometimes I do that, sometimes I don't.  Going faster, sometimes you make the light, sometimes you don't.  I have always thought it was 50/50.  It really depends on the stop lights where you are. 

I only have a 7 mile commute one way so I am not driving far these days.  The 3 school zones I pass through during the school year slow me down a lot anyway.

[xavier fremboe]

I guess you are in a unique situation where you have favorable downhill runs.  I don't.  All flat down here along the Gulf Coast.  If I tried to coast my truck, I would slow down. 

As fas as poking along to coast to stop lights, sometimes I do that, sometimes I don't.  Going faster, sometimes you make the light, sometimes you don't.  I have always thought it was 50/50.  It really depends on the stop lights where you are. 

I only have a 7 mile commute one way so I am not driving far these days.  The 3 school zones I pass through during the school year slow me down a lot anyway.

I'm in North Texas.  Part of the difference in mileage to/from work has to do with the downhill runs.  A lot of it has to do with the fact that when school's not in session, I can leave whenever I please.  It's usually just me on the road at 6:30.  I've noticed even on the flat stuff, if you can get up to 10% (or what you feel comfortable with YMMV;)) over, you can coast until you hit the speed limit, pop start it, and repeat.

[jamz]

Hypermiling is for people with a hell of a lot more patience than me. 

[Sergeant Bob]

I'm in North Texas.  Part of the difference in mileage to/from work has to do with the downhill runs.  A lot of it has to do with the fact that when school's not in session, I can leave whenever I please.  It's usually just me on the road at 6:30.  I've noticed even on the flat stuff, if you can get up to 10% (or what you feel comfortable with YMMV;)) over, you can coast until you hit the speed limit, pop start it, and repeat.

I take it you have a vehicle with no power steering and no power assist for the brakes? If not, when something happens and you suddenly need them (you never know what's gonna happen, nor can you always be prepared for it), you are going to be in trouble. No, I don't believe you'd have time to pop start it in a real emergency, beside the fact it's probably illegal (I know it is in 18 wheelers) and you'd be setting yourself up for a large ticket, or worse, if someone were gravely injured due to using that technique.

[Gewehr98]

That's why it was fun in my '60 Chevy.  No power steering, no power brakes, piece of cake. 

[Tallpine]

The trick is to only drive on downhill roads.

Congress should pass a law that says that all roads have to be downhill 

[Perd Hapley]

Congress should pass a law that says that all roads have to be downhill

Would you be terribly surprised if they did? 

[S. Williamson]

Tried something similar to that back in... 2005, I think it was.  Was driving from Roswell to Alamogordo, NM, and was coming down through the mountains.  In a '94 Crown Vic, in neutral, going 70-ish, steering was a whole 'nother experience.  Was really weird as to how silent it was (aside rfom evceryone else in the carr yelling at me to "turn it the @#*(& back ON already!!!").  Total elapsed time was about 1.5 - 2 min.

Never again...    Probably did a hell of a lot of damage to the transmission when I kicked it out of neutral.

[crt360]

I'm not sure how DPS would know you're doing it, but it is illegal here in Texas.


Transportation Code § 545.406.  COASTING.  (a)  An operator moving on a downgrade may not coast with the gears or transmission of the vehicle in neutral.

[Manedwolf]

I'm not sure how DPS would know you're doing it, but it is illegal here in Texas.


Transportation Code § 545.406.  COASTING.  (a)  An operator moving on a downgrade may not coast with the gears or transmission of the vehicle in neutral.

If you have an accident, it's a rather serious conviction, I believe.

[wmenorr67]

Dale Jr. just won the Michigan race yesterday by doing this.

[seeker_two]

I guess I'm one of the few drivers that consider the engine an important safety feature.....

Sounds like hypermiling is a great way to transfer your gas savings to your mechanic to replace all the hyper-worn parts (transmission, belts, starter, etc.) you're gonna have....

Wanna save gas? Pick a route with the fewest stops and keep your cruise at about 55-60mph (where legal). Leave earlier if you have to. Works for me.... 

[Sergeant Bob]

I'm not sure how DPS would know you're doing it, but it is illegal here in Texas.


Transportation Code § 545.406.  COASTING.  (a)  An operator moving on a downgrade may not coast with the gears or transmission of the vehicle in neutral.

If you have an accident, it's a rather serious conviction, I believe.

Also, if you have an accident, there's a real good chance the vehicle will be in the same state it was before the accident. Out of gear and ignition in the off position.

[Balog]

I drive a manual transmission, and I've been known to coast in neutral for short distances. Never turned the engine off, however.

I'm wondering Xavier, do you have power steering or brakes? If so, this is a really bad idea. Coasting in neutral is one thing, disabling your steering and brakes to enhance mileage is another entirely.

[Manedwolf]

One of the articles about this, the guy was proud of the fact that, with a stock sedan, he usually took 25mph ramps at 50mph, tires screeching, so he wouldn't have to use brakes and reduce mileage.

I think for some people, this is a form of OCD.