100+ hypermiling / ecodriving tips & tactics

[ShinyMew]

I'd like to add two:

• When coming to a stop where you will park and exit the car, turn the car off and coast towards the stop.

o Pros:

*Whilst the concept of EOC is similar, this technique can be used by automatic vehicles safely and is practical for small distances.

*Has potential health benefits, especially when parking inside an enclosed area, as it minimise the amount of carbon monoxide, emitted by the exhaust, circulating around the vehicle when stepping out.

o Cons:

*Extremely marginal fuel savings

• If you have electric side-mirrors, fold them in when driving on a safe, high speed road for an extended period

o Pros:

*The aerodynamic benefit of the frontal-area of side mirrors having been reduced may translate into fuel savings of up to 3% (source: Reflections on side mirrors: testing drag vs. MPG - MetroMPG)

*Minimises, marginally, the amount of bug splatter on, and common to, the side mirrors.

o Cons:

*Likely illegal in most countries, and states thereof, so really only practical on very quiet roads and/or at night.

*Depending on the vehicle, this technique may consume more fuel simply by the power drawn by the constant folding in-and-out of the mirrors.

*The possibility of fuel savings must be offset against the increased wear-and-tear on the switchgear.

[hypermark]

I drive a sonata sport with an EPA of 25/35 city/hwy. I have a 20 mile drive to work - slight inclines but smooth roads. One trip I hit 48mpg. All I did was slow down acceleration, try to max the RPMs at 1500 (ideally 1250) which keeps the highway speed 50-60. Currently averaging 39mpg. For the 10 minutes more it takes, well worth.

[RedDevil]

Serious, eco driving and dancing do not go together well.

Here is proof:
https://youtu.be/oZZzrrYCAR0
My wife was watching this video on Failblog.
It caught the corner of my eye, see the words in the background.
Huh? What? WHY???

EDIT more info on the story:
Gfriend repeatedly fall on wet stage while dancing to Me Gustas Tu | Daily Mail Online

[VeXed1992]

Recently got let off of a speeding ticket. Thankfully the cop was nice enough to let me know that if he ticketed me I would loose my license. Since that day I have seen a 25% increase in fuel economy. No more speeding for this guy.

[Fat Charlie]

That's a win-win.

You'll probably notice that if you leave home at the same time, you'll still get to work at the same time: speeding doesn't actually raise your average speed over the trip by much, and it takes a looong time for increased average speed to rack up a noticeable time savings.

[Tahoe_Hybrid]

Originally Posted by ShinyMew

I'd like to add two:

• When coming to a stop where you will park and exit the car, turn the car off and coast towards the stop.

o Pros:

*Whilst the concept of EOC is similar, this technique can be used by automatic vehicles safely and is practical for small distances.

*Has potential health benefits, especially when parking inside an enclosed area, as it minimise the amount of carbon monoxide, emitted by the exhaust, circulating around the vehicle when stepping out.

o Cons:

*Extremely marginal fuel savings

• If you have electric side-mirrors, fold them in when driving on a safe, high speed road for an extended period

o Pros:

*The aerodynamic benefit of the frontal-area of side mirrors having been reduced may translate into fuel savings of up to 3% (source: Reflections on side mirrors: testing drag vs. MPG - MetroMPG)

*Minimises, marginally, the amount of bug splatter on, and common to, the side mirrors.

o Cons:

*Likely illegal in most countries, and states thereof, so really only practical on very quiet roads and/or at night.

*Depending on the vehicle, this technique may consume more fuel simply by the power drawn by the constant folding in-and-out of the mirrors.

*The possibility of fuel savings must be offset against the increased wear-and-tear on the switchgear.

it's actually fine on single lane Highways
just don't try and open them while going 50mph as you may damage the gears..


i close my mirrors on narrow streets as my mirrors are very big

[maanma]

Use 0W multigrade oil in cooler conditions. For example 0W-30 if engine requires 5W-30

Half filling engine oil will save gallons in year. Basicly you can drive lowest level if you cotrol often.

[Bimmermaven]

I recognize that only about 5% of people like math...

We're trying to change behaviors of the nut behind the wheel to save fuel....
I read through the list. Lots of "a little", "some", "big" changes predicted for each tip.

When the Titanic is sinking, you send all of your men to fix the biggest hole first.

We should similarly try to use the most effective techniques first.

Putting an average expected per centage improvement, along with a range, will then allow sorting the tips into the most- to least-effective order.
For example, stop-start engine management might be worth an average of 11% in city driving (range of 6 to 16%), and 2% (R: 1-4) on long trips.

Coasting into your driveway [0.1%, R; 0.06-0.13)]