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Flakbadger · 06-16-2013, 03:18 PM

As the title says, sometimes I get a little frustrated with being a hypermiler.

There's lots of jokes made at my expense because of it. Mockery at saving "that little drop of fuel," or driving "too slow." It really bothers me because my eco-driving philosophy is not truly that different from "normal people."

I don't engine-off coast (except to my parking spot at my girlfriend's house and a particularly long hill on I-5), I drive at or close to the posted speed limits (55-58 through 55-65 zones), and I try very hard to coast and time lights without overly inconveniencing others. I even sacrifice longer DFCO coasts up the offramp to my house so that I don't make the average "speed-up-until-I-get-to-the-light-that-I-have-to-brake-for" driver have a massive hemorrhage. Even so, I beat The 2009 Yaris average on Fuelly by close to 10 MPG, and even keep up with the Prius.
Right now I'm pulling a 47.2 MPG tank, which could turn out to be both my best ever and make my first goal of exceeding 500 miles on a fill-up.

What do I get for that?
"I don't get all gay about driving."
"Do you have to drive so slow?"
"I get like 30MPG, I'm not gonna worry over how I drive; I don't have time."

That last one is said by my dad, who drives a 2011 Yaris sedan with an automatic transmission; my parents bought the same make and model after making fun of me for how "gay" my practical car is, and mocking me for trading in my paid-off truck to get a loan on a car.
The car literally paid for itself and saved me $111 over and above car payments + fuel expenses + increased insurance.

I guess my frustration is also influenced by what I said regarding the Mythbusters episode on hypermiling:

"Thanks for perpetuating the stereotype that hypermilers are saving gas by being socially awkward and oblivious."
"Thanks for perpetuating the stereotype that hypermilers save gas at the total expense of normality."

It just gets frustrating sometimes, you know?

~Matt

P.S. My girlfriend (very soon to be fiance) enjoys hypermiling as much as I do, and gets excited about it with me. Guess that's why she's soon to be my fiance, eh?

EDIT P.P.S. How does hypermiling have anything to do with being "gay," and why does "gay" have such a negative connotation?

06-16-2013, 03:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
Flakbadger Always Too Busy Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 570 White Lightning - '17 Nissan Leaf SV Team Leaf 90 day: 159.47 mpg (US) Thanks: 405 Thanked 196 Times in 138 Posts	Somtimes I get frustrated. As the title says, sometimes I get a little frustrated with being a hypermiler. There's lots of jokes made at my expense because of it. Mockery at saving "that little drop of fuel," or driving "too slow." It really bothers me because my eco-driving philosophy is not truly that different from "normal people." I don't engine-off coast (except to my parking spot at my girlfriend's house and a particularly long hill on I-5), I drive at or close to the posted speed limits (55-58 through 55-65 zones), and I try very hard to coast and time lights without overly inconveniencing others. I even sacrifice longer DFCO coasts up the offramp to my house so that I don't make the average "speed-up-until-I-get-to-the-light-that-I-have-to-brake-for" driver have a massive hemorrhage. Even so, I beat The 2009 Yaris average on Fuelly by close to 10 MPG, and even keep up with the Prius. Right now I'm pulling a 47.2 MPG tank, which could turn out to be both my best ever and make my first goal of exceeding 500 miles on a fill-up. What do I get for that? "I don't get all gay about driving." "Do you have to drive so slow?" "I get like 30MPG, I'm not gonna worry over how I drive; I don't have time." That last one is said by my dad, who drives a 2011 Yaris sedan with an automatic transmission; my parents bought the same make and model after making fun of me for how "gay" my practical car is, and mocking me for trading in my paid-off truck to get a loan on a car. The car literally paid for itself and saved me $111 over and above car payments + fuel expenses + increased insurance. I guess my frustration is also influenced by what I said regarding the Mythbusters episode on hypermiling: "Thanks for perpetuating the stereotype that hypermilers are saving gas by being socially awkward and oblivious." "Thanks for perpetuating the stereotype that hypermilers save gas at the total expense of normality." It just gets frustrating sometimes, you know? ~Matt P.S. My girlfriend (very soon to be fiance) enjoys hypermiling as much as I do, and gets excited about it with me. Guess that's why she's soon to be my fiance, eh? EDIT P.P.S. How does hypermiling have anything to do with being "gay," and why does "gay" have such a negative connotation? __________________ Current Car: 2023 Chevy Bolt EV Retired Car: White Lightning ---------------------------------------------- Retired Car: Betty White Last edited by Flakbadger; 06-16-2013 at 03:30 PM..