[SilverCrown9701]

As a Hypermiler, you want to learn to "drive without brakes"...meaning use just enough acceleration and coasting to get you between stops on your destination. If you have to constantly brake hard between starting and stopping then you are over accelerating and under coasting.

However, "hard braking" has its place. The entire basis of hypermiling is to maintain as much momentum as possible. Let's say you are driving 45 MPH and the light ahead is still green...then all of a sudden, it changes to red. You quit accelerating and begin coasting but you realize that you're still going too fast and will have to stop ahead. INSTEAD, you can "brake hard" with a few hard brake pulses, reducing your speed to 25-30 MPH. You can extend your coasting time and hopefully make it through the light.

It takes much less energy to accelerate from a few MPH versus a dead stop. You also have to keep in mind your SAFETY and the wear and tear on your vehicle.

Braking hard and taking sharp turns at higher speeds increases wear on your suspension, tires and brakes. It also causes the gasoline to splash around inside your tank, which can offset your numbers.

All of this takes patience, timing and practice but once you master them then you will be that much better a driver.

Remember...NEVER ever risk your safety or your vehicle for a couple more MPGs. Your life is much more valuable than fuel economy.