Fuel Economy

With the rising cost of gas gouging holes in everyone's budget, I decided it was time to tackle some of the methods that cut costs.

Our family just moved, as I've said previously, and we moved closer to the the majority of our daily activities so that we could walk or ride bikes more often to where we needed to go. This alone has cut our family's fuel consumption by 75%.

The first rule of driving to conserve fuel is to drive as if you were riding a bike. A lot of the ways I drive a vehicle, I learned when I was taught how to ride a ten-speed street bike. Now, much later, I've discovered that a lot of the methods I use are now being suggested by the people who vehemently encourage fuel efficient driving.

We've taken to driving slower than we used to, leaving early or appointments and events, and taking roads less traveled to allow for more frequent coasting. Remember, Aerodynamic drag increases exponentially with speed, so the slower you drive, the less drag you have, and the less fuel you waste. This also makes it easier to drive as if we don't have brakes, coasting to stops and the like. Braking (especially braking hard or short as some call it), transfers momentum (and the gas used to get that momentum) into heat to be dissipated into the air, thus causing the fuel you just used to be wasted.

Check your tire inflation weekly. You've heard about proper tire inflation saving gas, but most folks don't think about the air in the tires expanding or contracting with temperature changes. It is a good idea to check your tire pressure to assure proper inflation at all times. I have gained a good 1/2 MPG just from doing this one thing.

Plan your routes. If you take the same route often, gauge how long you can go without the accelerator depressed, and coast as long as you can. If you drive in off-peak hours or on side streets, this is much easier.

Minimize idling. Don't go through drive-thrus if it can at all be avoided. The short walk from the parking lot is good for your health, and saves you gas right away. Any time You are going to be stopped for more than 30 seconds, shut off the car.

Plan all of your errands for the week into a single trip and do it in a circle. Go to your furthest away errand first, then travel back towards home, making your other stops along the way to save fuel. This not only causes your engine to warm up (engines are more efficient when warm), but also lets you get it all done quickly and without feeling like you are retracing your path. I regularly do most of my monthly errands in a one-or-two day stretch, where I start at home and round the north side of town on the first day, then hit the south side on the next day. For the rest of my errands during the month, I not only combine chores, but also friend visits so that I can get a bit of fun in along with the work, and make sure my friends don't feel neglected despite my refusal to drive all over town all the time.

Empty out your vehicle and loose weight. The more of a load your motored transportation is carrying, the more gas it takes to pull it where you want it to go. So unload that trunk, clean out the floorboards, and drop a few unwanted pounds, and watch your fuel efficiency increase.

Don't start the car until everyone is settled in and you can start driving immediately. This matches up with the minimal idling statement above. The less you idle, the more gas you save.

Don't use the AC or heater in your car. Roll the windows down in the summer, open the vents, wear deodorant, and carry a spritzer fan of ice water with you to keep cool if necessary, and in the winter, keep your coat on when in the car. Not only does this save fuel that would be diverted to powering the climate controls, but it also saves time and maintains your health and comfort. The human body is not made for constantly moving from one extreme temperature to another throughout the day, and it can weaken your immune system and lead to illness as well as waste gas. Want to save even more fuel? Remove the heat and air systems entirely and save the fuel used to drag the extra weight around.

There are a lot more tips (100 to be precise, and as well as discussion of these and other techniques on their forums at The Hypermilling Website. Go see for yourself, and get the best mileage you can get.