Top 25 Proven Techniques

Are you ready to save money, serious money? Using the techniques noted here will help you improve your mileage - often times well above the EPA rating of your vehicle. We have assembled for you the top 25 proven methods for saving money on fuel. Maximize your gas mileage and save money. It's truly that simple. Even if you're not a commuter the techniques can be used.

1. Air pressure in your tires

Adding the maximum amount of air pressure possible to your tires reduces rolling resistance. The goal here is to stay safe. Check the sidewall of your tires for the maximum pressure. One very important item to consider is excess pressure can case tires to wear unevenly and require replacing your tires sooner than usual which could defeat the purpose of saving money. Use your best judgement!

2. Use your cruise control

Cruise control is your friend. Use it liberally on the highway. Especially on flat roads where you can maintain steady consisent speed for long periods. On hills it is not beneficial to use the cruise control. Your vehicle will attempt to maintain speed on the incline thereby wasting fuel. Tip - switch the cruise control off and back off the throttle slightly. On the decline coast if possible and maintain a safe speed. Once the road flattens out resume the cruise control. Tip - if you must coast using cruise control do not switch it off and accelerate with the throttle. Use the cruise control switch to accelerate. The cruise control system will accelerate slower than you would with your right foot. This technique is best used when you come across a slower vehicle and you need to back off for a few seconds to allow faster traffic to pass before making a lane change and overtaking the slower vehicle.

3. Red lights are your enemy

When approaching a red light lift your foot off of the accelerator and coast to towards the light. If at all possible try to the time the light safely and avoid braking. Only proceed through the intersection if it is clear.

4. Drive the speed limit

Maintaining the speed limit is probably the easiest technique to employ to maximize your mileage. Fuel use rises exponentially the faster you travel so it makes perfect sense to maintain the speed limit and save money. Plus you'll stay safe.

5. Avoid stop and go traffic

Plan your trips accordingly and take routes that don't require stop and go streets. It's better to drive slightly further and avoid traffic. Tip - acceleration is the biggest waste of fuel.

6. Maintain your vehicle

Get regular oil changes. This is vital to maintaining the health of your enginge. A poorly lubricated engine wastes fuel and is more likely to breakdown and cause expensive repairs. Keep your wheels aligned and balanced.

7. Link trips

Plan your trips to ensure you can take care of several things at once. Perhaps you need to visit the home improvement store and the electronics shop. Park between them and enjoy the walk. The extra calories you burn walking between stores is a free benefit.

8. Avoid puddles and pot holes

The goal is to take the path of least resistance so to speak. Look for puddles and standing water and avoid if possible. The bain of the motor vehicle has to be the pot hole. On familiar routes it is fairly easy to memorize the bad pavement and avoid driving over momentum zapping holes.

9. Coasting

When the opportunity arises coasting can save serious money. On familiar down hills coast with the engine running and the transmission in neutral. I do not recommend turning the ignition off. Hardcore hypermilers employ this method however you can lose power steering and braking control depending on your vehicle. On my route to work I can coast for just over 5 miles on one long down hill run and still maintain the speed limit.

10. Accelerate slowly

During acceleration you're going to waste the most fuel. Avoid fast starts and you'll increase fuel economy tremendously. Watch traffic flows and try to maintain a consistent speed.

11. Buy a manual transmission vehicle

Due to inherent design issues automatic transmissions do not get as good mileage as manual transmission vehicles. Check the EPA mileage ratings of identical vehicles and you'll see a difference.

12. Windows up

Driving with your windows down can cause excess drag eliminating your hard fought attempts are boosting mileage. On hot days I keep my windows down about 1 inch just to keep airflowing within the vehicle. Hypermiling should not become so obsessive that you're uncomfortable or worse yet your significant others are annoyed!

13. AC off

Keep the AC off if at all possible. Your engine has to burn significantly more fuel to turn the AC unit. Utilize the air flow vents instead.

14. Maintain a steady speed

Keeping a steady speed is key to saving gas. When you maintain the posted speed limit you will do the best. On the highway do the speed limit, no more, no less and you'll see the savings. Remember, needless braking is often the result of excess speed. Avoid the dreaded yoyo effect!

15. Patience

Patience is another vital component to saving fuel. If you must be somewhere at a certain time leave 5 to 10 minutes early and you'll save money. When coming up on slower freeway traffic coast if possible until you can pass safely. Patiently waiting is better than a sudden acceleration around the slower traffic which generally leads to unneeded braking. Remember the goal is steady speed. Patience while driving will also keep your blood pressure down and you'll feel relaxed when you get to your destination.

16. Avoid unnecessary braking

I have mentioned this several times. Avoid slowing or stopping if at all possible. Anticipate red lights and stale green lights. Be ready to coast and maintain momentum at all times. This skill is one of the first you will become an expert at. Your sense of awareness will become sharper and you'll see opportunities to save on your daily drive.

17. Strategize

Make hypermiling a game. Strive to improve your mileage over your previous best. I personally keep a note pad handy so I can take notes on where the traffic flows are worst and best. Try a few different routes and see what is the best, then use it. Once you have a benchmark of your mileage you'll quickly realize when things are going bad and also when mileage is excellent. You'll feel it!

18. Maintain the posted speed limit

This is another item I have mentioned repeatedly. An important part of hypermiling that is often overlooked is keeping your fellow motorists in mind. You don't want to cause unsafe conditions by driving too slow or in an unsafe manner. Use your head, stay patient, and drive the speed limit. I am sure you've seen people speeding to red lights or flying at slower traffic on the freeway. This causen some cities driving the posted speed limit will get you further faster since lights are timed. Once you get the green on one you can get continuous green lights.

19. Smooth roads

Choose your routes according to road surfaces. Bad roads cause braking for pot holes which slow down traffic in general and cause the yoyo effect.

20. Anticipation

Drive like you have no brakes. Simple enough, yet difficult to master. This technique requires 100% attention to your surroundings. Look for traffic problems before they happen. Perhaps you see a slowing moving truck ahead of you and a long train of cars approaching in the fast lane on the highway. What should you do? Move around the slow moving truck and risk slowing down 10 cars (wasting fuel for everyone in the line - this is a huge arguement we'll get into some other time) or slow yourself by coasting? Anticipate these scenarios and you'll see what the correct solution is for the conditions.

21. Roof racks

Remove roof racks if they are unused. A higher profile zaps mileage. Some vehicles come with stock racks which appear to be decorations. These should be removed immediately. If you're only going to use your rack once or twice a year remove it now and save money.

22. Extra weight

Remove extra weight from your car. Every ounce requires energy. Take a look in your trunk. Are you toting around last winter's boots and sled in your trunk? Maybe you have unused sports equipment hiding in the back seat? These are all fuel wasters!

23. Track your mileage

Create a benchmark so you know if your improving, or not. Calculate your mileage as you drive normally and note it. Then start using the techniques described here and look for improvement.

24. Take notes

I keep a note pad handing and take notes on mileage, weather conditions, and traffic patterns. Mental notes are also completely acceptable. The idea is to make a conscience effort to improve your mileage and save money. Note where you can coast or where pot holes will cause trouble.

25. Safety

Hypermiling is about saving fuel and ultimately saving money. It is not life and death. Stay calm, keep alert and stay safe. There are many sites out there that promote dangerous methods that could get you in a serious accident or worse. Be aware of the cars around you, be courteous, and you'll avoid trouble. The most important thing is steady flow, keep traffic moving, even if you have to travel a mile or two an hour faster it could prevent backing up traffic in your lane and causing grief for your fellow motorists.

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