100+ hypermiling / ecodriving tips & tactics

[MetroMPG]

100+ hypermiling / ecodriving tips & tactics

Feel free to use this thread to make suggestions or post additional tips.

It's a work in progress, of course, as is most of our driving.

[Lazarus]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I like it and I hope to see it grow more detailed over time.

Conversely, I think a "Top Ten" list of the biggies should be pulled out of it, to provide an easy-to-digest quickie guide to the 10 most important things the average motorist can do. Because, as much as WE like to obsess over this stuff, I can imagine the average motorist's eyes glazing over by the time they get to #15. And it wouldn't hurt to use some sort of memory jogging tricks, so that the layman doesn't forget it right away. A silly rhyme, or a ten-letter acronym, or a song perhaps?

That's a good idea and sound like a thread for all it own. Of course that would be subjective but My numbero uno would be instantaneous FE feedback

[thebrad]

I think you touched on it with number 58 (Push it 1), but an addendum could be never get yourself into a space you'll have to reverse out of when parking in public spaces.

[boxchain]

Really really good stuff.

48) Conserve momentum: brake hard

It sounds like a contradiction, but there are rare times when braking hard can save fuel compared to coasting or light braking: it's a "damage control" technique when faced with an unpredictable/unanticipated stop or slow down ahead.

I call this 'pre-braking', or braking early to save momentum. It's not really about braking hard, it's about braking early. Don't want people to slam on their brakes for seemingly no reason. I would also say this is for stop/slow looking far ahead

50) Use the 'racing line'

Knowing how to pick the "racing line" through a corner, when safe, can help to preserve momentum. Generally, the racing line is the path through a turn with the largest possible radius. It may permits a higher speed with more comfort (less body roll and g-forces), and less tire scrub.

'It may permits'?
Minor nit: What we're looking for is the balance between shortest path and highest exit speed. For many curves we want to cut the inside corner, not go the long way around, in order to decrease distance traveled.
A true racing line is one where the entry speed is high and where you can get back on the loud pedal earliest.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by boxchain

It's not really about braking hard, it's about braking early. Don't want people to slam on their brakes

I guess I didn't explain it well. I meant to convey it's the type of braking I do when you've mis-timed a stop/slowdown or you're presented with one that was impossible to predict and you want to salvage what you can in the remaining (short) space. It's reactionary rather than anticipatory. (And I do mention the safety consideration of braking sharply.)

'It may permits'?

Thanks. I'm sure that's not the only typo/brain fart in the list.

Minor nit:

Good points. I did qualify it with "generally" Anyone who knows a bit about actual racing may take issue with the oversimplification in that tip. (Strictly speaking, the racing line isn't always the largest radius.)

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by thebrad

I think you touched on it with number 58 (Push it 1), but an addendum could be never get yourself into a space you'll have to reverse out of when parking in public spaces.

Good point - that's actually covered in "Parking tactics: reverse in"

But I expanded it slightly from your prod.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Conversely, I think a "Top Ten" list of the biggies should be pulled out of it, to provide an easy-to-digest quickie guide to the 10 most important things the average motorist can do.

What would be on your top-10 for the average motorist (who will probably never really go into the "advanced" stuff).

I agree with Laz's first one: instrumentation.

I'd add: reduce highway cruising speed as a no-brainer with a big payback. For the "average" motorist I might condense the momentum conservation tips into "why are you still accelerating towards that red light?"

Because, as much as WE like to obsess over this stuff, I can imagine the average motorist's eyes glazing over by the time they get to #15.

True, though the list isn't really meant for the general public. The general public can continue to get their tips from the occasional newspaper or TV item. If you're on this site, you've already demonstrated you're not average (to put it carefully).

[Daox]

Great list!

[metroschultz]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

What would be on your top-10 for the average motorist (who will probably never really go into the "advanced" stuff).

I agree with Laz's first one: instrumentation.

I'd add: reduce highway cruising speed as a no-brainer with a big payback. For the "average" motorist I might condense the momentum conservation tips into "why are you still accelerating towards that red light?"

True, though the list isn't really meant for the general public. The general public can continue to get their tips from the occasional newspaper or TV item. If you're on this site, you've already demonstrated you're not average (to put it carefully).

The "Average" motorist is not going to invest in extra instrumentation for economy. He may be persuaded to use the on-board stuff.(I've talked two of my co-workers into this, the price of SG turns them off, ie "Do you know how much gas I can get for $170"?)

I would like you to make a printer friendly page for it.
I will print it and put it up in the employee lounge.
If that's not an option for us I will see if I can cut and paste to MS Word and go from there.

I hadn't considered half drive half bike before, good suggestion.
I will have to see where I can park and ride, then I must go buy a bicycle. Everything in time, one step at a time.

Darin and Ben,
Thank You for all you do, I am sure this is your second or third full time job.
Schultz.

[BBsGarage]

I'm really missing the point of this one.

61) Parking tactics: orbit to bleed momentum

If you find you have too much momentum after reaching your preferred parking spot, continue coasting further down the row or "orbiting" a spot until you can roll to a stop in position without touching the brakes. (Depending on traffic in the lot, obviously.)