P.s. I definitely hypermile on the Turnpike or Interstate behind a "mack" truck ALL the time. Its like "floating" to my destination for free. As a Bonus, 98% of truckers are "good" drivers. They have excellent credentials & licenses in order to be able to haul rig across country. So, besides saving gas, Im honored to sit "in the cradle" behind a trucker.
Jenn Bof FL4:27AM November 23, 2009
I, for one find hypermiling to save energy attractive, and try to using it frequently. But it IS very unpopular in Jersey (that boasts 2nd highest accident rate in the country), and rewards "Over-the-Top" agressive driving -- its gets quite hairy....uh...scary!
Nita W.of NJ4:19AM November 23, 2009
I really don't know of any serious hypermilers who draft behind big trucks. First of all, a Pulse and Glide would make drafting impossible; and secondly I, along with most hypermilers, drive at an "unpopular" 55 miles per hour and I can think of only two times in the past year that I have gone as fast as, or passed a truck.
Mackof UT9:52PM March 11, 2009
Changing driving habits to increase fuel economy is great, but there is a lot of 'hyper' in hypermiling.
To do it 'right', you need to coast with the engine off, draft trucks closely, push your car out of the parking spots (no kidding),'pulse and glide' (accel to 50 then coast, engine off to 40, repeat), and drive at speeds very 'unpopular' with other drivers. It takes an awful lot of effort and ticks people off.
So, it's interesting that you can beat EPA mileage, but it fails in the real world. In practice, it's pretty radical and was a fringe, knee-jerk reaction to high priced fuel and too-big cars.
You'll do a lot more to reduce your consumption by getting a more efficient car, using public transport and moving closer to work.
Toasterof NY6:59AM March 07, 2009
Changing driving habits to increase fuel economy is great, but there is a lot of 'hyper' in hypermiling.
Hypermiling is pretty extreme; you need to coast with the engine off, draft trucks closely, push your car out of the parking spots (not kidding),'pulse and glide' (accel to 50 then coast, engine off to 40, repeat), and drive at speeds very 'unpopular' with other drivers. It takes an awful lot of effort and ticks people off.
So, it's a great science experiment to beat EPA mileage, but it fails in the real world.
Our transportaion issues are a lot bigger than saving a few pennies per gallon with radical driving habits.
Toasterof NY6:46AM March 07, 2009
This isn't "Hypermiling".
It'd be more appropriate to call it 'Logal Driving', sense that's what it is.
These people are _____.
Joshof MO7:09PM January 15, 2009
To bad the light rail in most mid sized cities was taken over by automotive industry sponsored bus companies back in the "Good" ol'days.
Double your mileage by carpooling just two people
NotSpamof 12:33PM January 07, 2009
Wouldn't it be better to have a Motorcycle and doing the speed limit or bicycle with a small motor that travel at about 20 mph and get 150 mpg and that doesn't require insurance by state law.
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Reader Comments
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Jenn B of FL 4:27AM November 23, 2009
Nita W. of NJ 4:19AM November 23, 2009
Mack of UT 9:52PM March 11, 2009
Toaster of NY 6:59AM March 07, 2009
Toaster of NY 6:46AM March 07, 2009
Josh of MO 7:09PM January 15, 2009
NotSpam of 12:33PM January 07, 2009
Frii of MI 5:53AM December 21, 2008