For those unfamiliar with hypermiling, it is defined as the following: Hypermiling is the act of driving using techniques that maximize fuel economy. Those who practice these techniques are referred to as "hypermilers."
I've been trying to put some thought into hypermiling techniques lately. In my mind, the main principle of hypermiling is to make the most out of every press of the gas pedal. Using the brakes is basically a waste of kinetic energy produced by your engine. So without further adieu, I will list some of my hypermiling tips.
1. Turn on your car's real-time miles/gallon display (if you have one). Keep an eye on it as you drive to work and get a feel for the situations when it is highest/lowest/inbetween. I did this on the Mini and got a great feel for when the car uses the most and least gas.
2. Accelerate smoothly. Doing this is the most efficient way to get your car up to speed. Don't floor it at a stoplight so you can burn that 16 year old kid next to you. I know how tempting that is.
3. Get up to speed. In general, the faster you're going the higher your mpg. However, once you get past 60 mph your mpg decreases. Try setting the cruise on 65 instead of 70 and see how much gas you save.
4. Use the hills. The basic idea here is to use just enough gas to get to the crest of the hill, take your foot off the gas (push in the clutch if possible), and coast all the way down.
5. Make wide turns. Keeping speed as you make a turn conserves momentum and saves gas. Please make sure no other cars are close to you. This does not apply when you pull up to a stop sign!
6. Make a plan. Since your work commute is probably the route you drive the most, try to come up with a plan using the above methods. If you consciously think about hypermiling every time you drive this will become a lot easier. I admit that I have certain spots on certain roads where I know to push the clutch in and ride the hills as long as possible.
These tips might seem small and inconsequential but you are probably underestimating how much you drive. It's a daily activity for almost everyone and even small savings will add up over the coming months and years.
