Cars are a joy to drive, but with the cost of fuel skyrocketing, you have to be keen on how much fuel your vehicle consumes. Drivers have devised hypermiling, a technique that ensures maximum distance coverage with as little fuel as possible.
The basic idea behind hypermiling is to change your driving habits in order to use less fuel. However, apart from changing your driving habits, other ways of practicing hypermiling include maintaining your car, removing excess weight, and minimising the use of accessories such as air-conditioners, among others.
Driving habits
There are a number of different ways to practice hypermiling while driving. Some of the most common include:
- Accelerating slowly: Gradual acceleration involves slowly and gradually pressing the gas pedal until the car gains momentum. Flooring the gas pedal will make the car go fast but will cost a lot of fuel.
- Avoiding idling: Idling uses a lot of fuel, so it is best to avoid it when possible. If you are going to stop for more than a minute, it is best to turn off the engine to avoid waste of fuel.
- Another effective hypermiling driving technique is anticipating speedbumps, traffic lights, and other stop signs, so that you can slow down in advance and stop the car gradually, instead of accelerating when you know you are going to stop a few metres ahead.
- Minimising unnecessary acceleration, especially in downhill sections of the road. Use your car’s momentum instead to keep your vehicle moving, until when you have to use the accelerator.
Other hypermiling techniques include:
- Car maintenance: Maintaining your car well ensures that it runs at its optimum level. This means that the engine won’t have to strain too much due to a worn-out part in the car that needs repair, replacement, or maintenance.
- Removing excessive weight: Every extra weight increases load and affects your car’s fuel economy. It might not look significant, but if you are someone determined to practice hypermiling, every kilogram counts.
- Keeping the tire pressure at the correct PSI: Low tire pressure can cause increased fuel consumption.
- Getting rid of roof racks to reduce drag.
- Avoiding overdependence on the air-conditioner. The air conditioner increases fuel consumption by up to 20%.
- Keeping the windows rolled up: Another way to take advantage of hypermiling is driving with the windows up. Opening them increases drag, causing increased fuel consumption.
- Not wearing shoes with thick soles: These types of shoes decrease your foot’s sensitivity on your foot. They won’t let you feel the amount of pressure you are applying on the gas pedal.