100+ hypermiling / ecodriving tips & tactics

[michael.long8]

@ Intrigued. These tires are the factory size, along with the factory wheel. My problem may be that the tires are just generic and can't handle a variation in tire pressure. If I thought they could handle it, I'd max them out permanently because I do see the gains in mpg. I will probably try this again with a better brand of tire in a year or so to see if it is just the tire, or a characteristic of too much psi. A 6-ply tire might be a more viable option for increasing air psi because you typically get a 50 psi max with those tires. It's just one of the things I'll consider when choosing my next set of tires. Thanks for the comment......start with the basics!!!

[michael.long8]

@ Fat Charlie. Yes.....for the moment. Factory wheels, factory size tires, etc.

[Ragtag]

A simple mileage improvement for those who carry bicycles around on a bike rack. Use a rack that puts them on the back, particularly if you have a van. Rooftop racks are generally worse. (Unless you carry a kayak and it's put on right.)

[Hogwit]

Probably no one here will like our family's cars:
2001 BMW M5
1971 (I believe that's the year) Olds Cutlass Supreme
1999 GMC Sierra
I am 15, so legally I have never driven but when my father drives, especially in the M5, when on the highway, he will speed up to 85-90, then neutral (idles at around 750-800rpm) and coast down to 65 or so and repeat, when getting off the highway, he just puts it in neutral and coasts the whole way down the highway/exit ramp, he almost never stops for red lights because he never gets one, our town has horribly timed lights; there is one every maybe 750 feet, and if you drive as many have told me "Eco-friendly" you stop for about 80% of them...how eco-friendly are you? My father will just floor it and make it through them all, obviously worse mpg than normal driving, but better than waiting. When starting off, he just releases the clutch which is not only better for your mpg, but also your clutch. On average he gets 20-22 mpg in his car, but most get around 16...or less. Original brakes and original clutch while most get about 60-80 thousand miles, he is at 130 thousand still going good.
The pickup, and the olds are both automatic, and rarely used, so not much is done in them.
Btw, just to see what you CAN get in the worst conditions (mpg wise) in the M5, he hit full throttle and I reset the computer to see minimum mpg. That was...4 then 5 then 6, then it was time to stop the acceleration so he let off the throttle.
I plan to get a 1975 citicar and some 1995-2003ish BMW 3 or 5 series as my cars. Lol sorry guys, the fun is too much appeal to get a great mpg car...

[Fat Charlie]

Lots of folks here do what they can in fun cars. Welcome to the club- that is, once you can drive legally.

[Mustang Dave]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

Lots of folks here do what they can in fun cars. Welcome to the club- that is, once you can drive legally.

Looking to hit 32+mpg IN MY 4-Liter Mustang on my next fill-up (if not too many things go wrong)...

[Hogwit]

$800 electric car tomorrow, real car for $xxxx.xx sometime idk.
I might not be taking the car home tomorrow though...maybe just buying it.

[5inYSO]

I have never agreed with topping off the tank. I'm surprised I don't see it mentioned more often. With a gallon of fuel weighing approximately 6 pounds and a 20 gallon tank, that's 120lbs. I usually fill no more than 1/2 tank, to save on hauling my fuel around.

Is this really a measurable fuel savings?

[MetroMPG]

One of our long-time, reputable members keeps copious, detailed logs of his fuel consumption for every commute (and he drives a lot). I recall seeing details he posted showing better numbers (repeatedly) when his tank was near empty vs. full.

EPA will tell you that carrying an extra 100 lbs increases fuel use up to ~2%.

[Frank Lee]

That may be, but I'd like to see the fuel economy penalty for making 2x the pit stops.