A few days ago, we learned that — no surprise — the prices of EV, hybrid, and economy car models have shot up faster than other already-quite-expensive used cars, in direct response to the rise in gasoline prices. The pump prices may not drop for several weeks or months.
High gas prices are not something anyone likes, but now is the best time to purchase a more fuel-efficient car. The good news is that you can make your vehicle more fuel-efficient. Every car can be greener. Be with the person you love.
Smart ownership and careful driving are the keys to success. It simply means getting the most out of every ounce of gas. Hypermiling is for you if you are someone who can turn the lights off when he leaves the house or enjoys eating leftovers.
Even the simplest steps can help reduce the financial damage to your wallet.
In general
Reduce your driving. Accept that not all of our driving is necessary. Some of us can do this by working from home.
Be organized. Try to do all your errands in a single trip.
Do you have more than one vehicle? Leave the guzzler. You probably do.
Inflate your tires regularly, at minimum once a month. Bring along a portable tire pump to make it easy and quick to inflate your tires.
To ensure maximum efficiency, keep your car clean. Are your air filters clean? Your car uses more air than gasoline.
Don’t wait to warm up. Start the car as soon as you can. It is enough to warm up for the car when it takes to fasten your seatbelt. Your car’s fuel economy drops by exactly 1% every second it is idle.
Avoid driving in traffic. Turn on stop/start if your car has it. If you are going to be stationary for more than 30 seconds, turn off the engine.
Take care of it. Turn the accelerator. You get the most mileage if you accelerate from a standstill. This is Newton’s first law: you overcome inertia. You can see how gas-sucking it is to get your car to stop by looking at its real-time mpg reading.
Do not stop until you have to. This is the flip side of inertia. Braking causes you to lose the kinetic energy you have created from burning gasoline. It’s always better to continue rolling. This is how you can achieve this:
Look further down the road. Notice what the light is doing ahead of you — and the light beyond it. Do not rush to get from one stoplight to the next. It’s possible to keep your car moving and rarely stop if you put your mind to it. Even if your car has to slow down at 1 or 2 MPH as you approach a red light, you will save gas.
Use the mileage reading. We also mentioned your car’s instant MPG gauge. Ensure you keep an eye on it throughout your trip. It is a great tool to help you become a more frugal driver. Although dashboard displays might not provide accurate fuel economy calculations, the instant readout will show you the most effective driving styles.
To sum up, Be smooth. Smooth driving habits can help you save money and make your car last longer.
You are a leaf in the wind
Don’t carry extra weight. Don’t carry anything that you don’t need.
Take off roof racks and any other items that cause drag.
Sunroofs and windows with close spacing for less drag. This is especially true at highway speeds, which we’ll discuss.
A/C is fine. Closed windows may mean that you need to turn off the A/C. Although you might see the suggestion to turn off the A/C as a fuel-saving measure, modern air-conditioning systems aren’t as burdensome as they were in the past. Every little bit of help is appreciated if you are comfortable with the A/C turned off. If it is necessary, it is okay.
Slow down. Follow the speed limit. Keep your speed at 60 mph on the highway. The range between 45-60 mph is where cars are most efficient for fuel consumption. Above 60, drag increases dramatically, and fuel economy decreases.
Glide. Learn how to use a coasting auto transmission in a modern car. It can seamlessly disengage the engine from the transmission depending on the conditions. Otherwise, don’t coast. Do not forget to look for ways to accelerate downhill and minimize braking.
Maintain a constant throttle position. However, some systems can accelerate too fast, and it might be more beneficial to use cruise control while driving.
Or pulse and glide. This technique is also useful in other situations. For example, increasing your acceleration uphill and then slowing down. You can see your instant readout to find the best technique.
Make a plan
Consider the terrain. A direct route may not be the best option if the terrain is steep. It can save you fuel by taking a longer route around the hill.
Take into account the traffic. Avoid roads that are heavily used and have fewer cars. This will make it easier to stop or slow you down.
Take into account the time. With WFH, many of us have more flexible work schedules than others, even if we commute. Avoid peak traffic and the fuel-sucking delays that they cause.
Learn your regular route. You will be able to determine the best places to coast, accelerate and brake. Avoid it if you are familiar with a particular spot that is likely to get backed up on the highway. I can cruise through many turns on the route from the interstate towards my house and not have to brake at any point except for the one-stop sign and when I reach the driveway.
Avoid cold temperatures. If you have the time, drive later in the day if it is colder outside. Cold weather can reduce fuel economy. Cold tires are more resistant to rolling than warm tires, making the engine less efficient.
Clean out your garage. Keep your car inside to avoid freezing starts.
Avoid high temperatures. If these high gas prices continue into summer, you should try to avoid the hottest hours of the day to reduce your A/C usage.
Finally
Avoid causing anger to other drivers by using these techniques. Sometimes, people behind you may not be able to see why you are crawling towards a stoplight. Pay attention to your surroundings. Please stay in the right lane so that the jackrabbits don’t pass you on their way to the gas station.