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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Thursday, April 28, 2022

You Can Be a Hypermiler, Too!

Steve Thode has been the Lehigh Valley's COVID-19 analyst for this blog. He kept track of the data, and his only commentary related to the quality of the data being provided by the state. He did a far better job than I saw at any news source. That's no surprise. I intend no insult to reporters, but Steve is by training a numbers cruncher. He takes that same analytic approach to driving as well. 

For as long as they've existed, Americans have had a love affair with their cars. So yesterday, when I suggested that we should make an effort to stay out of them one day a week to reduce demand for fuel, I got a lot of negative feedback.  Steve, however, sent me his own tips on fuel economy, and I thougfht I'd share them with you.   

Now you are in my wheelhouse. More than one person besides my wife accuses me of being a "hypermiler" - someone who tries to squeeze as many miles out of a gallon of gas as possible. I drive a mid-sized hybrid SUV that weighs more than 5,000 pounds with two adult occupants. Overall, I'm getting about 36 MPG by following a few simple rules. You can check it out here:


Here are some tips for improving fuel economy:

1) Slow Down!

Judging from our many highway trips to visit family in Virginia, Harrisburg and Delaware, it would appear that most drivers in this region of the country are QAnon global warming deniers. Although the posted speed limits on limited-access highways are generally 55 MPH most places (some Interstates like I-78 are 65 MPH for some, but not all, stretches; the Northeast Extension of the PA Turnpike is posted at 70 MPH), drivers speeding at well over the posted limit are the rule rather than the exception. Driving at a high speed severely reduces fuel economy. Driving at a constant 55 MPH will yield an MPG 15-25% higher than driving 65 or 75. Sadly, in PA (thanks to our enlightened elected representatives) speeding tickets are seldom issued to a driver unless they are driving at more than 10 MPH over the posted limit - even in construction zones. That's why drivers on 22 can happily zip along at 65 MPH with no fear of a citation;

2) Combine Trips

Short trips are a real killer for mileage since it takes time for the engine to reach operating temperature. Make a list of errands you will run during a given week and combine as many you can into one or two trips. Also, run errands when traffic is likely to be lighter;

3) Don't Race From Stoplight to Stoplight

Zooming from stoplight (or stop sign) to the next reduces fuel economy and is harder on your brakes. If you are approaching a stoplight or stop sign, let up on the gas and coast until it is necessary to apply the brakes. In many cases, that red light will have turned green by the time you get to it;

4) Accelerate Appropriately

If you are merging onto a heavily traveled highway, of course you want to accelerate to the speed limit as soon as possible. However, when highway traffic is light, or on city streets, accelerate more gradually. If you can keep the engine from revving above 2,000 RPMs, your mileage will be much better;

5) Get Rid of Excess Weight

Not talking about going on a diet, although that will help a little. Empty unnecessary stuff from your trunk and back seats;

6) Make Sure Your Tires Are Properly Inflated

There is a sticker on the driver's door frame that indicates the correct tire pressure for your vehicle. Make sure your tires are inflated to that pressure. Underinflated tires reduce mileage and will cause premature wear of your tires;

7) Avoid Aggressive Driving

Don't be a dick. Weaving in and out of lanes to get a car or two ahead and tailgating lower fuel economy significantly. And, are the cause of many accidents. Chill out and you are much more likely to get to your destination in one piece. With better MPG!

Steve

Footnote:

You and I well remember the oil embargo of 1973-74 and the resulting long lines at gas stations. We also remember Congress passing the "Double-Nickel" law lowering the posted speed limit on all Interstates to 55 MPH. That went into effect in March 1974.

Here's my story. I arrived at my permanent duty station (Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson) shortly before Christmas 1973. After in-processing, I was told to report for training the Monday after Christmas. That gave me a week to spend with my parents in Las Cruces, NM, and without taking leave!

Davis-Monthan to my parents' house was about 280 miles - practically all of it on I-10. I had a small car at the time, but it also had a small gas tank (about 12 gallons). Driving at my customary 65-70 MPH, I got around 20-22 MPG.

That was a problem since I would not be able to make it all the way back to Tucson on a single tank of gas. And, I would be driving back on a Sunday when (due to the embargo) virtually all gas stations were closed. So, I purchased a 2.5 gallon gas can, and filled my car's tank and the gas can on the Saturday before I was leaving. I also made the painful decision to keep my speed at 55 MPH even though the "Double Nickel" was not yet the law.

Painful because that 280 mile stretch of I-10 is mainly straight, level and desolate. There are only five towns between Las Cruces and Tucson (Deming and Lordsburg, NM; and, Bowie, Willcox and Benson, AZ). It's a really boring drive at 65 or 70. Really, really boring at 55.

However, I soldiered on at 55 MPH the entire way. Much to my surprise, I arrived back at Davis-Monthan with almost a quarter of a tank of gas remaining. And, the 2.5 gallon gas can still full. I figure I got about 28 MPG.

I've never forgotten that trip, or, how much better my mileage was at 55 instead of 65 or 70. 

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Deepening the socialism by getting the masses to accept privation while the elites fly their jets around the world.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Deepening the socialism by getting the masses to accept privation while the elites fly their jets around the world."

Cuckoo!

Anonymous said...

Driving 55 miles per hour and saving energy is what they do in Venezuela! As such, you can count me out. I will now put a 5th flag on my pick up truck to increase the wind resistance.

Anonymous said...

I live in Las Cruces and make that drive pretty often -- for many months two years ago, I did it twice weekly to commute to a temporary job.
Desolate? Yes, last month I waited 3 hours for AAA to send a tow truck from 75 miles away when my fan belt broke. Easton to NYC is about the same distance as Las Cruces to the next town, Deming, only there's nothing in between.
Boring? Not so much, when a dust storm pops up or a 10-minute thunderstorm drops the temperature by 30 degrees. While not the prettiest part of New Mexico or Arizona (that's found farther north), the scenery has its own stark beauty.

Anonymous said...

I have no problem with people doing things like this if they want, and might even try some of the things myself. The minute it becomes a "suggestion" from a politician, I'm out.

The bottom line is that it still doesn't address the problem, which is democrat politicians doing the bidding of radical environmentalists. Even if everyone does something like this, the radicals still won't be happy and will want more.

The solution to the problem is to remove democrat politicians, and elect those who aren't hostile to the oil/gas industries and will do everything they can to increase supply.

Anonymous said...

At the heart of these posts over the last few days is the false notion that climate change is an existential threat, and that eliminating fossil fuels will somehow stop warming and cooling of the earth. This is the largest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people, and has roots going back to people who thought the Earth couldn’t handle any additional population in the early 1900’s (NewsFlash: It could, and it did).

The lie has been advanced over more recent years by radical environmentalists and other opponents of progress, and adopted by Leftists across the globe as a way to stop Western advancement. For those who want a real example of Russian disinformation, this is it.

The reality is that the planet has experienced periods of warming and cooling over millions of years. Ice Ages have come and gone, and have been chronicled throughout human history (which is a grain of sand compared to the history of the Earth). Locally, one only has to drive about an hour north to find a large boulder field that was deposited there as glaciers stopped moving and melted, leaving behind the rocks they carried as they slowly moved about 20 thousand years ago. Obviously, those glaciers formed and then melted (due to the Earth cooling and warming) well before the use of oil, gas or any other fossil fuel by man.

While I believe many have been innocently fooled on the climate change issue by the radical Left, others are plain opportunists jumping on the bandwagon for their own personal gain. Maybe I’d believe their claims more if some of the rich politicians, actors and others who profit from spreading the climate fear would suddenly stop flying across the globe to make speeches, downsize their mansions, and sell their beachfront homes (which will certainly be covered if the sea-levels rise as they claim).

I don’t see that happening, and instead see them taking more carbon-spewing flights, buying and building larger homes, and continuing to move to the beach like President Obama did when he bought his place on Martha’s Vineyard after he left office.

Those examples should tell you how real the problem really is.

The problem we have now is that democrat politicians are artificially limiting the supply of energy, thus increasing its cost. That's not needed, other than for democrat politicians to maintain their donor and voter bases. They need to be voted out.

Anonymous said...

Great advice. I often wonder about the folks who sail past me on the turnpike and 78. Do they realize that they are loosing mileage? Every contemporary vehicle has a gas efficiency computer onboard, but I doubt if most drivers know how to use them. A friend of mine called speeding “selective taxation” since the more gas you buy, the more tax you pay. One more thing to add to your friend’s list, drive like you don’t have brakes. Be aware of how you are driving in traffic, get off the gas when you know you are going to have to stop for a red light, stop and take off gently. It really works. Check your onboard computer.

Anonymous said...

Biden is the cause period.

Anonymous said...

Driving 55 on Rt 22 can get you killed. Even the big trucks are doing 65+.

Anonymous said...

It's always entertaining to read how right-wing nuts try to make a virtue out of avoiding anything that resembles common sense. You're such patriots!

Anonymous said...

Stop taxing organic fuels in favor of rechargeable tech that is far more destructive to our environment. Google "mining for rare earth minerals" and watch the Third World slave kids toiling in deadly mines for your Lithium ion batteries. You drive over their souls with your fancy Priuses and Teslas, while you tell us poors to buy electric cars and live more Spartan lives. We were energy independent before we elected a senile racist kid diddler. Biden did this on purpose.

Anonymous said...

This sounds like one of the jerks that drives 20mph and holds everyone up. Just because he lives a slow life of luxury doesn't mean everyone does. Get off the damn road or buy a bicycle or high mpg scooter. You are a hazard on the roads.

pathfinder said...

I switched to non-ethanol gas several years ago. My gas mileage increased by almost 4 mpg in my 4WD pickup. My daily travel was to Valley Forge on 476 @ 70 mph. Ethanol gas is harmful to your engine.

Anonymous said...

9:18, I think you weren’t paying attention during your one, state required, earth & space science class in high school.

peterjcochran said...

We go on our trip to S.C. 632 miles from Easton in a non- hybrid vehicle. I leave here with small amount of fuel ,and soon as I get in Delaware i feed the Chevy Equinox non- ethanol 89-90 grade . The sticker from the manufacturer says 32 highway , I’ll run 632 miles consistently on 15.75 gals used total one way , but I “prep the vehicle for travel “ I operate mostly without use of breaks, I loiter in approaching red lights on route 13 and 17 . I know this sounds crazy , but under some conditions I have obtained as much as 47 mpg out of both Chevy Equinox’s we have had total of 12 total trips between both vehicles in 4 years . I can get 24.9 - 25.7 mpg out of my Tacoma on same run . I drive like I’m about out of gas and the same vehicles that fly past me are still in sight for as many as 40;miles during this route because they run up on lights and I don’t. Earlier post here is right ,ethanol beats up your potential mileage capacity. . Do the math , 55 mph is 80.8 feet per second- 70 is 103 feet per sec . About 21 feet per second difference ok 1,260 feet per minute difference so in 15 minutes 4 minutes faster, ok now what?

Anonymous said...

I love my 2021 Dodge Ram. I got it just to drive around sitting up high listening to that Hemi roar, now that I modified the muffler and a K&N clean air intake. I drive this more than I drive my three other Porsches, I worked hard for these and I really appreciate the Sunoco Gas Station on Freemansburg Highway that now carries 94 octain gas. Pricier than normal gas but octane rules. Boy do my vehicles love drinking that juice. I wish I drove more, the supervisors at the car dealership says I need to drive my vehicles more. The miles are too low- well that’s because my miles are higher on my Truck. Truck gas guzzlers rule. I will not buy an appliance !

MZ