100+ hypermiling / ecodriving tips & tactics

[thebrad]

Seems like a no brainer, but if this list is intended to be distributed amongst unlike minded individuals...
"Never idle!"
This is quite possibly the most annoying habit I see, I'll be walking to class and walk by 10s of cars that are just sitting there running so the owner can use the radio or a/c. Worse yet it's generally always a girl just putting on make up while the car is left running. Saw this yesterday with a lifted Hummer H2, almost lost it. haha.

[awillard69]

Nice, detailed list. It's nice to see it all in one place.

I have a comment regarding #86 and #89, referring to the A/C.

In my experience, the average person thinks the A/C has to be on max blower and max cold. Under those conditions, it's adding maximum load.

I typically turn on the A/C once I'm cruising, not while starting out or in tight traffic. Once it cools down enough to be effective, I adjust down the temp to a more moderate level, something less than max cold.

At highway speeds, my A/C can create frost bite. So, I back it down and while it will still run, it will run less often but still provide cooling - much like your manual cycling, but more "hands free."

[Pillzilla]

just drive a metro that doesnt have AC....its gonna be hot this summer.

[Lazarus]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

brad: that idling thing has got to be one of my biggest pet peeves.

Idiots around here abuse autostarts big time, and even those without autostarts still let 'em run run run.

A local church had a save at the pump day where gas was a $1.00 off the posted price. As expected a large crowd showed up. It was reported that there were people that waited in line for over an hour and a half. Now on a 85 degree day how many people do you suppose were sitting there with the car and AC off for the time they waited.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by metroschultz

I would like you to make a printer friendly page for it.

I'll see what I can throw together.

Thank You for all you do

Thanks to the mods, too! That tip you liked was actually put in by Laz.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by BBsGarage

I'm really missing the point of this one.

61) Parking tactics: orbit to bleed momentum

It's essentially damage control. If you've still got some momentum when you get to where you were going to park, don't brake & waste the momentum to park in that exact spot. If you have the option of rolling into a different space, keep coasting until you can pull through just as you stop.

It's orbiting because you may end up circling around your intended spot a little.

Functionally it adds nothing to your trip, but it will help the MPG numbers slightly.

[trikkonceptz]

Originally Posted by BBsGarage

I'm really missing the point of this one.

61) Parking tactics: orbit to bleed momentum

If you find you have too much momentum after reaching your preferred parking spot, continue coasting further down the row or "orbiting" a spot until you can roll to a stop in position without touching the brakes. (Depending on traffic in the lot, obviously.)

I'm with him ... if you reach a parking space with to much momentum keep circling? Screw it just park ... I would think, the time wasted idling while you coast is more than the time it takes to brake and shut your car right?

Or if you coast with engine off, then why dos it matter, brake and park ...

Or did I miss some point here ?

[MetroMPG]

If you're coasting engine off, doing anything other than rolling to a stop will lower your potential fuel economy. Yes, we're talking about tiny differences.

If you're idling and moving at a low speed, then yes, you should just go ahead and park.

The take-home message is: avoid the brake pedal. Parking is one time you may have the option of rolling to a complete stop because there's no set 'stop line' if you have flexibility on which spot you can choose.

[MetroMPG]

I agree that tip amounts to a numbers game, but I think it has educational value.

[igo]

Really good list! Everything I can think of is covered.