The little things

[freakshoww]

I make sure I watch what I eat so my weight stays the same, and will hopefully decrease one day..

[jsatter]

Lots of things I do have already been mentioned. I didn't see this one though. I turn the traction control off because it engages the brakes when the car thinks it's going too fast around corners.

[Piwoslaw]

When I carpool with someone I set the rendezvous point in a place that minimizes driving/fuel usage. For example, when I hitch a ride with my neighbor, I go over and wait in his driveway so that he doesn't have to wait for me with his engine idling. I might even help close his garage door and gate to speed things up. If someone is picking me up/dropping off then I meet him at the main road, so he doesn't have to drive up and then back down my street.

This may be splitting hairs, but I charge my GPS at home (via USB) so that it reduces the alternator's load by that much. If the trip is longer and I need to plug in, then I unplug it 30-60 min before turning it off so that it discharges again. Of course, I don't use it at all in places I am familiar with. Though I often see people driving the same route every single day with their GPS on.

[ps2fixer]

I use to "drive smooth" around corners etc probably around 10mph. Now I try to keep moving a bit faster when possible 20-30mph depending on traffic, corner, etc.

This might not count for a small thing, but drive slower. In my corolla at 55mph I get about 38 mpg crusing, 50mph is 40-41 mpg, and 45mph is around 45-50mpg. Under 40mph it seems my engine starts to lug and looses mileage in OD+lockup.

Another thing I have noticed helps is to let off slightly on small hills and loose a little speed and gain it back on the backside of the hill.

One more thing, following larger trucks at a safe distance seems to be a benefit, I hit 39mpg average on the highway at 70mph following my dad's Camry when out in the open driving it is about 35-37mpg.

*Mpg figures are via scan gauge

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by ps2fixer

I use to "drive smooth" around corners etc probably around 10mph. Now I try to keep moving a bit faster when possible 20-30mph depending on traffic, corner, etc.

When keeping up the momentum, you don't need to accelerate again.
That's where the benefit is.

Coasting up to these corners also help - see where and at what speed you can start coasting to arrive at the corner with just the right speed to make it around it.

On the interstate / highway, I've chosen a speed that I can keep driving at, even in the turns where different roads join up.
SO I get both the benefit from driving slower, and from not accelerating.

Another thing I have noticed helps is to let off slightly on small hills and loose a little speed and gain it back on the backside of the hill.

Yup, sure works.
You're trading in kinetic energy (speed) for potential energy (height) and swap back when going downhill.

I should go back to killing the CC when going uphill (or small inclines / overpasses rather than hills around here).

One more thing, following larger trucks at a safe distance seems to be a benefit

It definitely is, but there's some debate about what distance is still safe.
The safer / further you are, the lesser the benefit.

[ps2fixer]

When i'm drafting a truck/car, I follow at a safe distance, the gain isn't much, but is better than nothing. No tailgating >,<.

[Fat Charlie]

Get good instrumentation if your car doesn't already have it.

Don't crank the engine until you're ready to move.

Let it warm up while moving. Then you're actually getting something out of that gas.

Rain-X is good to use regardless of FE. As a bonus, it takes one thing off your right hand's to-do list while hypermiling.

Only put the roofrack on when you're actually carrying something.

Think ahead to plan your trips more smoothly.

A pull through parking space is great, but an immediately available parking space is better. Screwing around getting to that technically perfect space is a waste.

Keep it maintained. Check the air filter once in a while, and keep up on the tire pressure.

[ps2fixer]

Forgot that one, tire pressure is a HUGE one, with my Camry I went from 27mpg down to 22mpg due to low tires (26psi).

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by ps2fixer

When i'm drafting a truck/car, I follow at a safe distance, the gain isn't much, but is better than nothing. No tailgating >,<.

If the gain isn't worth it, you're not close enough.
If the gain is really worth it, you're too close.



Some trucks are better than others.
Big square ones or busses are best.
Tanker trailers are not very good.
Flatbeds are worthless.

[ps2fixer]

Originally Posted by euromodder

If the gain isn't worth it, you're not close enough.
If the gain is really worth it, you're too close.



Some trucks are better than others.
Big square ones or busses are best.
Tanker trailers are not very good.
Flatbeds are worthless.

I saw the effects on my scangauge following my dad ~120 miles. I was in a 1997 toyota corolla following him in his 1999 toyota camry. I was atleast 3-4 car lengths behind him 90% of the time. I have yet to get over 40mpg on my scangauge going 70mph with out going down hill. There was also fairly heavy traffic which could have been making a false wind too. 3-4 lanes for about 80% of the trip.