Michael, you raise some valid points.
As for the ecodriver/hypermiler's impact on other road users, please note the introductory text on the tips page encourages people to take other traffic users into consideration.
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Originally Posted by hackish
most of the techniques listed are actually just good ways to trick OBD2 scan gauges into showing you a better MPG than you're actually getting.
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Could you give examples?
Regarding pulse & glide:
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Starter motors are engineered to last for X number of starts.
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Agreed, and we know of at least one heavy pulse & glide user (with automatic transmission) who has had to replace a starter, presumably for this reason.
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It also puts a significant drain on your battery and you then have to expend extra fuel charging it up again.
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The depth of discharge of course depends on electrical load and time.
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You can bump start the car too but that puts significant wear on your clutch
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I suggest clutch wear is more a function of the driver than the technique itself. (In other words, it can be accomplished with varying degrees of harshness to the components.) We have anecdotal evidence of this technique being used for hundreds of thousands of miles with no clutch issues.
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Use the lowest octane fuel approved for your vehicle. Not only is lower octane fuel cheaper but it has more BTU's of energy per litre. Some vehicles do get better economy on the higher octane fuel but most do not. Depends on the tuning of the vehicle from the factory.
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Interesting - didn't know the energy content was different by fuel grade.