Fuel prices getting you down? Try ‘hypermiling’

Budget-conscious drivers should consider lifting their right feet and join the ‘hypermiling’ movement in light of the recent petrol price blow.

This is according to getWorth general manager Wesley Procter, who explains that hypermiling is the use of proven fuel-saving techniques to minimise the amount of fuel a vehicle uses, no matter what car one drives.

The term ‘hypermiling’ was coined by Wayne Gerdes, multiple world record holder for the most fuel-efficient driving.

Gerdes started the website CleanMPG.com, a community forum dedicated to using less fuel.

Hypermiling is characterised by smooth driving and thinking ahead and Procter says the most important technique is how one uses the accelerator and brake pedals.

“Cars are heavy and it takes a lot of energy to get them moving, so when you brake, you waste that energy,” he says.

“So brake as little as possible by keeping a decent following distance in traffic, coasting up to traffic lights, stop-signs and turns, and keep an eye far ahead for potential impediments.

“Accelerate smoothly and as little as possible and lift your foot off the pedal as soon as you see you’re going to need to slow down or stop.

“In the same vein, keep your general speed down – fuel consumption is dramatically higher at 120km/h than 80km/h, but you’re also more likely to have to slow down for something when you’re travelling faster,” he advises.

Also drivers should remember to use hills to their advantage – by coasting downhill.

He offers a smattering of other useful tips:

Set your display to show real-time fuel consumption – watching that number fly up when you accelerate is the quickest way to figure out why you are burning fuel;

Inflate your tyres regularly to the upper end of the safe pressure recommended by the manufacturer (the correct tyre pressure will also make your tyres last longer);

Use the lowest-viscosity (lowest weight) engine oil for your vehicle (the thicker the oil, the harder the engine must work to move its parts);

Turn off your engine when you’re going to be stopped for more than a minute;

Air-conditioning uses fuel so only use when absolutely necessary;

Avoid tail-gating as it is inefficient. Leave a gap of seven to 10 seconds from the vehicle ahead and maintain momentum; and

Remove dead weight and take anything you don’t need out of the car, as this can save fuel in the long run.