Hypermiling

[amc80]

I know people on here have discussed hypermiling- getting the most MPG possible. Here's a neat article about it-
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/increase-gas-mileage-70-percent-153307133.html

It suggests turning off your car at red lights, never going above 45mph, not using the A/C (while keeping windows up...not gonna happen where I am!), and a bunch of other tips. The testers in the article were able to increase their MPG by up to 70%. Pretty cool!

 

[kenny]

Cool.

I've been a hyper miler since 2004, and do most of the stuff mention in the link.
I don't have to turn my engine off at red lights since I drive a hybrid car which already does that.

IMO, accelerating gradually and driving to avoid needing to brake gives 80% of the results ... and you don't even need a hybrid car for that.

 

[baby monster]

So true. DH has a lead foot and uses twice as much gas as I do. The little mpg counter on the display doesn't lie. I tend to cruise a lot so as not to brake or accelerate too much. I also try to pick out my route to avoid stopping on lights and stop signs as much as posssible.

I did notice that my old car ate a lot more gas with a/c on but not so much with the one. Maybe they made a/c more efficient.

 

[kenny]

I've read about a 45 MPH rule for AC.

The more drag a car has the more gas must be used just to push air out of the way, and drag increases with speed.
Opening windows above 45 MPG introduce lots of gas-guzzling drag.

If you want to use minimum gas while staying cool ...
AC off, open windows below 45 MPH.
AC on, close windows above 45 MPH.