I'm making a list of psychological ways of saving fuel.
Stickers
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Hypermiler Student Driver
What do you usually do when you see a Student Driver car on the road with you? Well, I usually give them plenty of room and would probably dismiss any of their irregular road maneuvers to being a student driver.
One factor that seems to have a big impact on fuel saving techniques is other drivers' perceptions of you and your driving techniques. From what I've read, one of the big reasons some fuel saving techniques, such as pulse & glide or simply driving much slower than the rest of traffic, are not employed is what other drivers think of the hypermiler.
What would happen if your car had stickers that read:
_______________________
STUDENT DRIVER
Hypermiler Driving School
1-800-60MPGplus
1-800-606-7475
This car makes frequent stops
_______________________
Other drivers on the road with you would probably do the same thing you or I would do if we saw a student driver on the road. They would dismiss all of your 'driving techniques' as you being a student driver. This would allow the hypermiler to use his/her fuel saving techniques without the fear of enraging their fellow motorists.
This is one of those "thinking outside of the box" kind of ideas that I usually get flamed for. So I'm ready for it. Just make sure whatever fuel you're using to flame me is used in a fuel efficient manner.
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Tell Them What Speed You Roll At
Do what user DifferentPointofView does. He put a sticker on his bumper that reads:
He says people pass him without any problems. Plus the sticker keeps him honest.
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Let Everyone Know
Post your best miles per gallon on the outside of your car. Hopefully someone will ask you how you are able to get such good fuel savings and you can turn someone else onto hypermiling.
Post Your Goals
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Your Best and Worst
Post your best and worst miles per gallon records on your dash. This will hopefully accomplish two things. It will keep that goal constantly within your vision and it might cause your passenger(s) to ask you what the numbers mean. You'll tell them your goals and they will probably want you to meet those goals. Hopefully they will want to enter into a friendly hypermiling competition with you.
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Motivational Posters
Put motivational posters on your dash or behind your sun visors.
Use Your Stereo To Save Fuel
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Slow the beat down
Listen to slow paced music. Hopefully this will keep you driving slower. It doesn't have to be classical or opera. There are slow songs in every genre of music.
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Take your mind to another clime
When it's hot outside listen to an audiobook that has a story set in the cold. You will be mentally taken to someplace cold and hopefully use the air conditioner less. Conversely, listen to stories set in the heat when it's cold outside.
Teach your passengers
Teach your passengers about hypermiling. Hopefully they will use some of your teachings in their own cars.
Can you think of other psychological ways of saving fuel? This can be ways that effect other drivers psychologically or yourself.
