Web Sites Promote "Hypermiling" To Save On Fuel.

[Teacher Mark 53]

By Jon Hurdle

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - As U.S. gasoline prices hit records on almost a daily basis, an increasing number of motorists are following a radical driving technique designed to eke out every last mile from a tank of fuel.

Known as 'hypermiling,' the method can double gas mileage, even in gas-guzzling vehicles that would normally get less than 20 mpg.

Promoted on a growing number of Web sites, hypermiling includes pumping up tires to the maximum rating on their sidewalls, which may be higher than levels recommended in car manuals; using engine oil of a low viscosity, and the controversial practice of drafting behind other vehicles on the highway to reduce aerodynamic drag -- a practice begun a few years ago by truck drivers.

The price of gasoline -- which hit a record of nearly $3.61 per gallon on Tuesday, according to travel club AAA -- has rapidly emerged as the public's biggest economic concern.

Gas prices are a "serious problem," ahead of jobs, and healthcare, according to a poll released on Tuesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The "advanced" techniques of hypermiling are in addition to well-known approaches including keeping speed down, accelerating gently, avoiding excessive idling and removing cargo racks to also cut down on aerodynamic drag.

Adherence to hypermiling and other disciplines are desiged to boost mileage well in excess of the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration's official ratings, which apply to each car model.

Wayne Gerdes, a former nuclear plant operator from Wadsworth, Illinois, and the originator of hypermiling, said he gets 40-70 mpg out of his Ford Ranger pickup truck, about doubling its official fuel consumption of 25 mpg.

Gerdes, 47, estimates that hypermiling has saved him $15,000 in fuel since he began the technique after the attacks of September 11, events that convinced him that U.S. national security was being undermined by its dependence on oil from the Middle East, and motivated him to reduce his own fuel consumption.

"If every vehicle in the U.S. got 45 miles per gallon, we would not import any oil," he said.

Deron Lovaas, vehicles campaign director at environmental group the Natural Resources Defense Council, said most hypermiling techniques are "sensible recommendations" that could drive down demand and even prices if widely adopted.

"We should be looking under every rock for potential energy savings," he said.

He said he could not recommend drafting behind fast-moving trucks because it could potentially lead to highway accidents.

Hypermiling can even make fuel-sipping gas-electric hybrid cars more efficient. Chuck Thomas, 50, a computer programmer from Lewisville, Texas, said he has been getting 71 mpg from his Honda Insight, a hybrid whose EPA rating is 58 mpg, in the two years since he has been hypermiling.

Among Thomas' techniques is "pulse and glide" in which he accelerates and then coasts with the engine off until around 15 mph when he kicks the engine back on and accelerates again. "It's the automotive equivalent of skateboarding," he said.

(Editing by Timothy Gardner and Philip Barbara)

http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnough...lBrandChannel=0

...and the controversial practice of drafting behind other vehicles on the highway to reduce aerodynamic drag -- a practice begun a few years ago by truck drivers.

DANGEROUS!

[Niels Bohr 72]

Among Thomas' techniques is "pulse and glide" in which he accelerates and then coasts with the engine off until around 15 mph when he kicks the engine back on and accelerates again. "It's the automotive equivalent of skateboarding," he said.

Despite it being funny, it is true.

Edited May 3, 2008 by consolemaster

[Teacher Mark 53]

Among Thomas' techniques is "pulse and glide" in which he accelerates and then coasts with the engine off until around 15 mph when he kicks the engine back on and accelerates again. "It's the automotive equivalent of skateboarding," he said.

Despite it being funny, it is true.

Here's what "Pulse and Glide" is going to get him.

[dalegg 143]

Well of course I'm going to try this.

[greeneyedgirlfl 0]

"If every vehicle in the U.S. got 45 miles per gallon, we would not import any oil," he said.

Yeah, like the oilmen in charge of this country would EVER let that happen...

I do my part; I have a job 4 miles from my home and I also carpool. But I teach high school, and every day I see parents dropping off their kids (most of the time only one kid) in their huge Hummers, Escalades, and Yukons (and other various Yuppie-spawn-mobiles) because the kids are too spoiled or lazy to walk or ride the bus...Wonder how much gasoline is wasted by THAT practice?

[dalegg 143]

But I teach high school, and every day I see parents dropping off their kids (most of the time only one kid) in their huge Hummers, Escalades, and Yukons (and other various Yuppie-spawn-mobiles) because the kids are too spoiled or lazy to walk or ride the bus...Wonder how much gasoline is wasted by THAT practice?

Zactly. Where I live I guarantee you that no more than 1% of the students live any real distance away from the schools, yet its the same thing. 4 bucks a gallon isn't making any difference at all. I see this and I wonder how Mr. Gore ever thinks we will ever be carbon free.

[greeneyedgirlfl 0]

But I teach high school, and every day I see parents dropping off their kids (most of the time only one kid) in their huge Hummers, Escalades, and Yukons (and other various Yuppie-spawn-mobiles) because the kids are too spoiled or lazy to walk or ride the bus...Wonder how much gasoline is wasted by THAT practice?

Zactly. Where I live I guarantee you that no more than 1% of the students live any real distance away from the schools, yet its the same thing. 4 bucks a gallon isn't making any difference at all. I see this and I wonder how Mr. Gore ever thinks we will ever be carbon free.

I just hope that we find a way to wean ourselves away from oil completely. I keep encouraging my students to become engineers and find a way to make a car that runs on garbage (a la "Back to the Future")...

[dalegg 143]

But I teach high school, and every day I see parents dropping off their kids (most of the time only one kid) in their huge Hummers, Escalades, and Yukons (and other various Yuppie-spawn-mobiles) because the kids are too spoiled or lazy to walk or ride the bus...Wonder how much gasoline is wasted by THAT practice?

Zactly. Where I live I guarantee you that no more than 1% of the students live any real distance away from the schools, yet its the same thing. 4 bucks a gallon isn't making any difference at all. I see this and I wonder how Mr. Gore ever thinks we will ever be carbon free.

I just hope that we find a way to wean ourselves away from oil completely. I keep encouraging my students to become engineers and find a way to make a car that runs on garbage (a la "Back to the Future")...

What is up with the Hydro car? What exactly needs to happen to get this thing going?

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

there are some helpful SAFE tips on gassavers.org

http://www.gassavers.org/index.php

[Teacher Mark 53]

Ever consider how much fuel is being wasted nationwide at drive throughs? They should be eliminated. If you want a fat burger walk 50 feet to get it.

I'm also heavily in favor of trucking companies being forced to buy generators for their fleets so there is less idling of rigs nationwide. Anti idling laws are being passed in many States, but usually the driver is forced to deal with the extreme temperatures without the benefit of a generator. To make things even more absurd you can idle in these States if you have a pet in the truck! What kind of message does that send?

[hope2018 25]

intresting

[britty 1]

$42 used to fill my car about 6 months ago. Now its $56. Yes I have a large gas guzzler but if you drove on VA's roads with some of the maniacs here, you wouldn't want to be in a small car that folds like an accordian. Everyday I use the highway here, and literally every day I see a car accident on the side of the road. I do sometimes car share with a neigbour who works in the same building as I do, however, this is rare due to our schedules. As much as I don't like paying extortionate fuel prices, I value my life also.

[Niels Bohr 72]

I just hope that we find a way to wean ourselves away from oil completely. I keep encouraging my students to become engineers and find a way to make a car that runs on garbage (a la "Back to the Future")...

I like you. Please, inspire them! GO GO GO ENGINEERS! Let them know, everday life is not possible without Engineers!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Ever consider how much fuel is being wasted nationwide at drive throughs? They should be eliminated. If you want a fat burger walk 50 feet to get it.

really.... we have become so lazy we won't get out of the car for a burger

two tips

1. don't idle your car waiting for anything. It's doesn't take that much gas to start it.

2. when running errands go to your furthest destination first so the car can warm up and operate at the temp it's designed for the rest of the trip

[Ban Hammer 13,656]

I just hope that we find a way to wean ourselves away from oil completely. I keep encouraging my students to become engineers and find a way to make a car that runs on garbage (a la "Back to the Future")...

I like you. Please, inspire them! GO GO GO ENGINEERS! Let them know, everday life is not possible without Engineers!

yeah, go engineers! get out there and mow my yard!