When you can't hypermile...

[RobertSmalls]

Some hypermiling techniques do add considerable time to your commute (like cruising speed reduction), and some don't (like timing lights and DWB). The best technique is to live closer to work. You'll use less gas AND spend less time driving.

I avoid some hypermiling techniques because the amount of fuel they save doesn't justify the amount of time they take. I rely on my car, not just driving technique, to get the fuel economy that I do.

[PaleMelanesian]

I can't NOT hypermile. Ever. Example last month - to the hospital for baby delivery. You know, got to get there NOW! It was freezing cold with light snow, I was obviously in a hurry, and I still got 43 mpg in a 31-rated car. I can assure you, nobody else driving at the legal speed limit would have gotten there faster.

Timing lights, coasting on downhills, looking far ahead and anticipating - these all work in any situation.

[wesman1299]

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

Maybe we should add "Set your alarm clock to 5 minutes earlier, then set a second alarm clock to 10 minutes earlier" to the Hypermiling Tips?

That's usually what I do. I use two alarm clocks, and I always leave for work much earlier than I need to, for many reasons. For one, it's so I don't feel rushed to work and I can take my time to drive efficiently, and also so I have extra time in case something unforseen like traffic congestion or an accident were to hold me up. On this day my body decided it needed to sleep in past my alarm clock, or in other words s**t happened.

I've been telling myself the 'big picutre' is what really counts, and one pesky inefficient trip isn't going to throw off my numbers too much as long as I keep up my smart driving on my future trips. In reality, saving 3-4 mpg on one commute doesn't amount to a whole lot in fuel savings...it's the long-term benefits that really make the difference.