Alternative Fuel For Cars

Here is a Hypermiling tip you can take to the bank. Remember, the idea behind hypermiling is to find ways to completely optimize your driving habits in an attempt to improve and get the best possible gas mileage out of your vehicle.

In this article, the hypermiling tip we are going to consider is making your vehicle lighter. The heavier your vehicle is the more gas it is going to use regardless of what speed you happen to be moving at. While you can’t do much about the base weight of it, you can remove things on it to lighten it up. Always consider the weight of a vehicle before you invest in one as well.

Ask yourself what are you carrying around in your trunk? Chances are you have a heavy tool box and other items in there you don’t really need. Some basic tools to change a tire as well as your spare and a flashlight are important. You may want to have a blanket in case you break down, a pair of pliers, and a couple of screwdrivers. Everything else you should be able to remove and lighten up the vehicle.

Some individuals have heavy speakers and sound systems in their vehicles. Do you really need all that weight in heavy magnets? What about the back seat? Are you guilty of using it as a second trunk? The more you can get out of the trunk and back seat will help.

Do you need the luggage rack on your car? What about a tow hitch? If you have those items, consider taking them out. Think about any accessories that are attached to the vehicle. Can you take any of those items off? Now don’t take things off that may affect the safety of the vehicle, but don’t leave on things that don’t need to be there.

There is debate as to how much gas you should have in your vehicle at any time. Consider this. One pint equals one pound. So, one gallon of gas weighs 8 pounds. If you keep your tank half full instead of completely full, you can reduce some of that weight.

These are just a few ideas on how to can optimize your vehicle. Take this hypermiling tip and look at your current situation. There are probably many things you can do to make it happen.



By: Matt Chang

There is some very bad advice out there in regards to increasing your fuel economy. I recently saw an article from the Washington Post. It talked about a driving strategy called hypermiling. While some of the tips presented were useful and legitimate ways to save gas, such as being gentle on the gas pedal, others were just plain dangerous.

The post described this particular fuel saving methodology as hypermiling. It described hypermilers as people who modify their driving to improve mileage and reduce emissions. That can describe many concerned motorists interested in saving gas and the environment. The difference between hypermilers and normal concerned drivers is that hypermilers are fanatics.

It seems that any activity pushed to what one would consider fanaticism is dangerous and this is no different. Some of the techniques suggested by hypermilers can put you the driver and your passengers in great peril.

For example here is one piece of advice offered by some hypermilers: TURN OFF YOUR CAR AND COAST. This behavior is likened to hybrids that shut the gas engine off when the car is sitting still. But with hybrids, the electric motor is how the vehicle starts and runs at slow speeds so the car is not really off, just running on a different system.

When you turn a conventional car off, the first thing that happens is your steering wheel locks. You have absolutely no control of the car at that point. The second thing is there is no power to the vehicle. Not only can you not steer but you can’t power the car if you need to accelerate quickly if an emergency situation should arise.

Additionally the power assisted brake system shuts down. In order to stop the car you have to literally put your brake foot through the floor board. Again an extremely dangerous position to put you, your passengers and other motorists in.

Advice like this is irresponsible and can end up causing someone harm. Another suggestion by Some hypermilers is to over-inflate your tires. Again another dangerous suggestion. Over inflating your tires causes less tread to be in contact with the road. The control of your car is purely through the contact your tires have with the road. If you compromise that, you compromise your control and safety.

Additionally if you over inflate your tires they will wear faster. That means you will loose tread and ultimately loose more traction. Watching your tire pressure is good advice. Keeping them at the proper inflation does save gas. Over inflating is a safety hazard.

The basic premise of hypermilers is good. Relearning how to drive in a responsible manner with fuel economy in mind is the best way to save gas. While much of their advice can be called mainstream, such as slowing down, their fanaticism adds too much of a degree of danger. Common sense driving, learning the correct way to drive fuel efficiently, is the best way to save gas. After all, the best fuel saving device is you, the driver.



Posted by Scott Siegel on 2009-04-26 07:06:19

Anna Stone posted

Hypermiling, a system of driving techniques and sensible ways to improve gas mileage, has been made a subject of controversy. Stranger things have happened.

However, with gas prices reaching the extortion levels, people (out of necessity) have started to pay attention to how much fuel they are consuming.

And thus the word “hypermiling” has been born. The term “hypermiling” (originally coined by Wayne Gerdes) means, in simple terms, getting the best gas mileage out of the fuel you have.

Before the word “hypermiling” was born, “hypermiling” was just referred too as sensible fuel economy, or common-sense driving practice.

But today, getting the most for your money (by squeezing out the maximum amount of mileage per gallon of gasoline) has become a specialized field, with the name “hypermiling.”

A lot of “controversy” has been built up around the subject of hypermiling. Some claim it is dangerous or state that it causes accidents, etc. These statements are about as intelligent as statements that driving is dangerous or causes crashes.

Of course, if there were no cars on the road, there would be no car accidents. That is about the level of logic we are using when we say that hypermiling is dangerous or controversial.

Before the word “hypermiling” existed, we would have heard about “safe and unsafe driving practices.” These days, in the interest of controversy, we no longer hear about “unsafe driving practices,” but about hypermiling. I guess monkey learned a new trick.

Lets take a look at what hypermiling is, and what a few hypermiling techniques are:

First of all, a common hypermiling practice is to plan one’s trips a little more carefully, so as to avoid unnecessary driving. That’s common sense, I would say. But it’s not something we were too careful about when fuel was cheap.

Another important hypermiling technique is driving within the speed-limit - as driving at higher speeds wastes fuel. Avoiding excessive idling of one’s engine is also a key hypermiling tactic, as you are getting zero miles per gallon when you are standing still. What is interesting about this last point is that, for years now, we have had cars whose engines switch to “hibernate mode” after standing still for a few seconds, in order to avoid wasting fuel. “Hibernating” here means that the engine “switches off” and starts up again the moment you hit the gas peddle with your foot.

Making sure that your tires are inflated to the correct air pressure, according to the instructions of the manufacturer, is also a hypermiling technique. That might sound like a minor detail to some people. But if you’ve ever ridden a bicycle with under-inflated tires you will have a good idea how much extra energy it takes, as compared to riding with correctly-inflated tires.

Well, the same goes for a car. Under-inflated tires make your engine work harder and consume more fuel. Try riding a bicycle with badly inflated tires sometime, and you will understand what I am talking about. A car handles better with correct tire pressure, which also gives you a lot more control when you are driving (and is thus safer).

I could go on and on, and could detail many other points of hypermiling. But I think the above examples serve to show you that we are really just talking about common sense.

The only real truth in all this controversy is that there are safe drivers and there are unsafe drivers. But that’s not new. And this fact did not arrive with the subject of hypermiling. It will not go away with the subject of hypermiling either.

Some people are smart and some are less so. That’s nothing new and it’s not something we didn’t already know.

I guess it’s the ones who are “less so,” who feel the need to create a “controversy” around a subject like hypermiling. Maybe it makes them feel clever.

The fact is, hypermiling consists of safe and sensible ways to improve gas mileage. Just as one could drive unsafely in the interest of better gas mileage, one could also be a maniac gas-guzzler who speeds around turns, slams on his brakes, and pays high gas prices as a result.

Real hypermiling techniques involves safe and sensible driving habits.

Regardless, hypermiling simply consists of a set of techniques and driving practices which are used to get better gas mileage, using common sense and safe driving practices.

Richard Legg posted

ross what I thought was a new word the other day “Hypermiler.” I had just come home and caught the end of some show or documentary on the TV and it kept referring to this strange word “Hypermiler.” Now as I didn’t know what it meant but the fact that it had something to do with saving gas in your car I decided to do some research.

The first chance that I got, I switched on my computer and Googled the word “Hypermiler.” Google immediately came up with several hundred links, and obviously I was very surprised to find so many references to what I had thought was a fairly new word. Impressed with the amount of information I started clicking onto some of the links to find out more.

The words “Hypermiler” and “Hypermiling” seem to have been coined by a guy called Wayne Gerdes. It seems that Wayne is one of the many people trying everything they can think of to squeeze every last drop of gas from their cars. The whole idea is to get the best MPG as possible from any vehicle. It’s been reported that Wayne once achieved 100 MPG from a standard issue Ford Pick-up truck.

It seems that there are now hundreds of drivers out there trying to achieve the same results as the hypermiler. There is nothing special about these people; they are just your average everyday drivers looking for ways to increase gas mileage in their cars by any means possible. The ever rising cost of gas has become so bad lately that trying to save any little amount has become an obsession with many people.

Some of the tricks used by the hypermiler are things like “coasting,” which involves accelerating their vehicle to the legal speed limit and then coasting as far as they can without further acceleration. This is obviously very effective on downhill or sloping sections of highway but can also work on flat runs as well. By making sure that your tires are inflated to the correct pressures, and that you have no defect to slow down your progress (such as binding or sticking breaks, or worn bearings etc) it is surprising just how much gas you can save.

Another trick they use is drafting, (following so closely behind the driver in front that it cuts down on wind resistance) but this can be dangerous, not to mention very annoying to the person in front. It has even led to cases of road rage and accidents caused by the driver in front breaking suddenly for no apparent reason other than pure frustration caused by the close proximity of the guy behind.

There are however a lot of safer options for anyone looking for ways to increase gas mileage, simple things like making sure your car is properly serviced, so that it is running at its best.

Removing any excess weight, all those things in the trunk that you have been carrying around but never use, (not your spare wheel or emergency equipment though.) Any of these little things will help you improve your fuel economy. So even if you don’t go to the extremes of the hypermiler you can still find ways to increase gas mileage and save a few dollars.

The word Hypermiler has been popping up in many a conversation since the price hike in gas. Some people are infuriated by the tactics of some hypermilers, while others are intrigued as to what on earth hypermilers are. In this article we will explore what Hypermilers are and some of the fact and fiction that has been popping up around it since the phrase has been coined.

What are Hypermilers?

Hypermilers are people who do whatever they can to maximize their gas mileage. The term Hypermilers

originated from hybrid driving clubs which were started after the first hybrid cars were manufactured and sold. The people driving these cars noticed that with certain driving techniques, they could great increase the mileage they got on a tank of gas. By refining these driving techniques these drivers greatly exceeded the EPA rating for their cars.

Fact or Fiction?

1. When to fill up the car

There is a school of thought that you should fill up your car in the early morning when it is still cold. Reason being that the gas stations keep their gas underground at a certain temperature which is cooler than on the surface. Gas expands when it warms up. So, filling up your car in the morning means that you will get cold gas into your cold tank which means that you will get more gas than when it is warm.

A silly notion or true? True! And in some countries the gas stations have been passing discounts to their consumers due to the fact that they get less gas at certain times of the year. It is called “temperature compensation”.

2. Putting magnets in and around your tank will increase your gas mileage

These magnets are mostly sold online at auction websites and they claim to increase your gas mileage by 100%, give your vehicle increased horsepower, increased throttle responses, smoother shifting of gears, greater acceleration.

Sounds to good to be true? It is! It is advisable to be wary of any manufacturer that claims that their device can significantly or even noticeably improve gas mileage, especially without adversely affecting a vehicle’s emissions to the point where the vehicle may not be in compliance with the law.

3. Hypermiling can increase your gas mileage

Hypermilers claim that using certain driving and car maintenance techniques, you can shave hundreds of dollars off the cost of your vehicle expenses.

True. Using sensible driving techniques that do not go to the extreme, you can greatly increase the mileage you get on a tank of gas.

4. Using Acetone

Rumour has it that by adding just a few ounces of acetone per ten gallons of gas will have you get more mileage out of your tank.

Strange but true! Acetone helps gas to fully vaporise, which means less wasted fuel. Fuel that was previusly wasted past the rings or sent out via the exhaust, when mixed with acetone it gets burned, and the engine does not notice that it is not running on straigh gas!



Posted by Joan Masterson on 2009-04-17 00:52:57

Anthony Bradley posted

Hypermiling is not just about saving money, but radically changing the way you drive and maintain your car as well as totally changing the way you think about it. In fact, it’s a paradigm shift in the way you think about cars.

Hypermiling is a special way of driving that will help you to reduce your car fuel costs, by increasing the mileage you get out of your existing car and fuel. Hypermiling techniques will help you to save your hard-earned money instead of having your gas-thirsty monster burn it like no tomorrow.

You may find it hard to believe that, just by changing the way you drive, you can make a huge difference to your mileage, but you’ll be surprised at how much of a difference this makes. Hypermilers can achieve vastly improved mpg, sometimes up to 90 miles per gallon. Imagine how much that kind of fuel economy would save you! 

You can find out your car’s miles per gallon by a bit of simple math. Just divide the difference on your odometer from the point when you had a full tank of gas and when you had an empty tank by how much your fuel tank holds. The figure that you calculated is your fuel mileage. It’s possible that you can double this figure just by hypermiling. The good thing is, as a hypermiler you’re not only saving money but you are also saving the planet by causing less pollution.

 

Hypermiling is becoming very popular and becoming a hypermiler is a great way to save money and keep the planet greener. Once you’ve been bitten by the hypermiling bug you’ll never want to go back to your old driving habits, as the money you save will be enormous. Hypermiling definitely gives you more bang for your buck.

And it’s not just about saving money at the gas pump by getting vastly improved mpg, but on things such like car maintenance, as your car will have less wear and tear thanks to the positive effects of hypermiling. By using hypermiling effectively, you can also save on brake replacements, engine oil changes, as well as other regular maintenance expenses on your car.

Some people use fuel additives like acetone which can almost double your mileage for next to nothing, as you only need two ounces of pure acetone in a couple of gallons of fuel to achieve a increased mileage figure.  A word of caution though. It is important to get pure acetone as impurities will make the fuel mixture dangerous and may even damage your engine.

You also need to be careful when handling acetone because acetone dissolves paint, so don’t bring it into contact with the paint on your car, avoid skin contact and not inhale it. Adding a small amount of acetone helps in improving the longevity of your engine, improves combustion and increases mileage by almost 40%.

All in all, hypermiling will take the pressure off your wallet at the gas station as well as saving you money on car expenses. So is there any reason for you to delay saving a lot of money? Stop wasting time, money and fuel and start hypermiling today.

And just think, if everyone was to save even a little bit of fuel, and everybody does their bit, the world will be a much greener place and we will have fuel reserves to last us longer.

Munya Chinongoza posted

The super high gas prices are now calling for new ways to try save money on gas.  Hypermiling is a new gas saving tactic that is becoming more and more popular with each day that passes by. The europeans, as usual, have a different name for it, they refer to it as Ecodriving. 

People who partake in hypermiling, are called hypermilers. Their goal is to try squeeze the maximum mileage out of every drop of gas and some have made claims of getting 100 miles per gallon (MPG) and up to 1,500 miles on one tank of gas.

In most cases hypermiling just calls for common sense driving such as accelerate gradually, drive slowly and avoid unnecessary braking.  It is also recommended that you keep your automobile in very good condition with regular oil and air filter changes and using proper weight oil.  It has been proven that Oil that is too heavy tends to drag your engine down.  You should also inflate your tires properly because driving with flatter tires increases your vehicles drag.

1. Drive your car at the speed limit or slower.

Scientists have shown that gas mileage increases significantly when you drive at slower speeds. Of course some drivers will honk and some may even give you the finger, but do not despair just smile at them, you are saving on gas.

2. Plan your route ahead of time.

Try choose the smoothest route with has the fewest traffic signals and stop signs. It is also a good idea to avoid construction zones and known traffic tie-ups.  You can listen to the the radio and keep update with the traffic situation in your city. Sometimes the longer route may be the best if the road is smooth and with fewer stops.

3. Coast your car on hills.

This is a little scary and takes a little practice. Accelerate when you are approaching a hill and maintain that speed as you climb the hill. When you reach the top put your car into neutral coast down the hill on the other side.

4. Minimize the use of extra options on your car.

The more options your car has on the more power it takes to move it.  You can avoid things like air conditioning and power windows.  If you have to open a window only open a little bit because open windows create a wind drag.  If you drive a manual transmission try to shift to the highest gear as soon as you can.

5. Always be patient.

You don’t necessarily have to be the first to arrive and you don’t have to catch up with the car driving in front of you.

One thing to keep in mind is some of these hypermiler techniques cause you to drive slower and this may irritate other drivers, so always be careful when hypermile. If you run into an impatient driver simply pull over when it is safe to do so and let them pass.

Hypermiling works best with hybrids and smaller cars but can work with sports utility vehicles and larger cars too. The use of one or more of the techniques above could save you a lot of gas and money, just practice and be safe.