100+ hypermiling / ecodriving tips & tactics

[Kodak]

Note to site Admins/Mods:

The link given on tip #9 (Track FE) is dead. 404 message.

I realize that it's pretty self-explanatory for members, but a lot of drivers don't track mileage. A good concise how-to would be great for people newly interested in FE.


Here's something I wrote up a while back. I realize there is still some debate about filling to one click, or filling to the neck for repeatability:

• Steps to track mileage:
1. Fill your tank to full. Stop at first or second automatic shutoff.
2. Record your initial odometer reading.
3. Drive until it is time to refuel.
4. Fill to full again. Stop at first or second shutoff, consistent with step 1. Try to use the same pump if possible, for precision.
5. Record your final odometer reading.
6. Record your fuel consumption. See pump or receipt.
7. Divide miles traveled by fuel consumed.

[Christ]

How you fill your tank is a master of preference only. Static techniques work out in the averages faster, but even if you pump from a diff pump, store, location, and even state/country every time, it'll still work out in the averages.

[SwamiSalami]

Wait, noone ever answered me: What does tip #73 mean?!

[Christ]

I answered 71, didn't see where you asked about 73?

[Kodak]

71 or 73?

Tip 71 means that when you're reversing, come to a complete stop before trying to go forward. Likewise, stop all forward motion (brake) before reversing. If you don't come to a complete stop, then you're using extra engine power to overcome the momentum of the vehicle. Think of it kind of like starting 'in the red.' Instead of just starting from a dead stop, you have momentum working against your intended direction of travel. Using the brakes at least brings you back to a complete stop.

Tip 73 - Cruise in the highest gear practical. Often, a given speed can be maintained on flat ground in one of a few different gears. Less fuel is used when in the highest gear (lower rpm). If you're going too slow for a certain gear though, you can hear the engine sort of struggling or shaking a bit. That's too high of a gear.

Hope this helped. You probably already got 73; I think it was 71 you wanted clarification on. There's an answer on pg 28 too. Right before I went ahead and changed the topic on you dieselbeetle.

[SwamiSalami]

oh, my bad. yea, I meant 71. Thanks.

That does make sense! I've been doing it wrong.

[Christ]

Its ok, we pretty much all realize this from time to time.

[Christ]

You wanna get really fancy with 71?

Learn your engine/transmission/brakes, and use the momentum in your favor.

Shift trans into first while still moving backwards, jab the brake as you're slowing to put the momentum of reverse travel into the tires/suspension, then as the momentum returns in the opposite direction, release the clutch and accelerate.

Again, minimal, but needs to be addressed.

[pjrob]

I have been driving a v8 auto vehicle for the past few years that I have never got below 11.4 Liters/100 Kilometres. I apologise for not having that in MPG which I have not calculated yet. I also admit it is an awkward way to define milage relative to MPG but it has a readout in this on the console.
Recently it has dropped to 10.2 Litres/100 Kilometres. This is quite dramatic after trying for so long and not succeeding.
The method will not be welcome to many.
It came as a result of trying to assess the risk-compensatory effect of removing ones seatbelt.
I have worn a seatbelt since 1966 which is five years before they were compulsory here in Melbourne,Australia which suggests accurately I am a risk-averse person.
It was a dramatic enough drop for me to say this against all my conditioning.
I did not expect this effect. I was only trying to assess the truth of the idea that one drives less safely with a seatbelt and more safely without one primarily because of reports that this occurs with bicycle helmets also.
I would suggest to anyone trying this to hook the seatbelt under your own belt to give the appearance of wearing it if the police are particularly nasty about seatbelt wearing as they are here. What is most important is that YOU know you are not wearing the seatbelt and are driving with this conciousness.
I welcome any criticism or remarks about this and also refer anyone who is interested in the relative efficacy of seatbelts to read up on the work of English researcher Prof. John Adams.

[endurance]

Originally Posted by pjrob

I have been driving a v8 auto vehicle for the past few years that I have never got below 11.4 Liters/100 Kilometres. I apologise for not having that in MPG which I have not calculated yet. I also admit it is an awkward way to define milage relative to MPG but it has a readout in this on the console.

20.6mpg Solid enough but given that you didn't mention what the car's rating was, it's hard to know where you're at.

As for driving without a seatbelt, it's not for me. I'm getting 59% over the EPA rating (38mpg vs. 24mpg rating) with my seatbelt on. I've been in one high speed crash in the last 20 years that I wouldn't have walked away from without a seatbelt, so unless you're suggesting I never drive over 20mph, I'll stick with what's working for me.