Washington Post staff writer, Joshua Zumbrun�s Insight averaged only 48 mpg � a figure much less than the company�s claim of 57 mpg in the city. Fortunately, he had briefly met Bradlee Fons, a car fanatic, or rather, car mileage fanatic�to be more precise. Fons had specially urged Zumbrun to meet up with Wayne Gerdes, a man he terms “America’s greatest hypermiler”.Gerdes is a member of the team that drove 1,200 miles on a Prius on a single tank of gas. A zealous analysis of the mileage capability of his Corolla, made Gerdes attain as much as 75.6 miles per gallon on his Key Bridge cruise and a two-way trip from Georgetown to Columbia only on a gallon of gas.
What exactly is Hypermiling? It is all about making adjustments to increase your gas mileage. Listed below are some Hypermiling Techniques that would do just this � no matter what car you are driving. These tips were handed over by an auto expert Pat Goss, owner of Goss’ Garage in Seabrook, commentator for PBS’s �Motorweek�.
DRIVE THE SPEED LIMIT
Goss says: Going slow can save gas. Goss says that once you go above 38 mph, you lose mileage. For every 5 mph above 55, he tend to lose 10 percent of your fuel economy.
DRIVING WITHOUT BRAKES: Maintain a steady speed if traffic is heavy.
Goss says: Do it when possible — but be careful especially in the Beltway.
TURN OFF YOUR CAR AND COAST: To save even more fuel when decelerating, shift to neutral and turn off the engine while coasting to a stop.
Goss says: Highly dangerous. You don’t have your car under control, says Goss.
OPTIMIZE YOUR ROUTE : To avoid traffic, try different routes. It so happens that a longer but smoother route saves a whole lot more gas.
Goss says: “Basic driving techniques. I teach this the first day,” Goss says.
WATCH YOUR TIRE PRESSURE: Some hypermilers recommend over-inflating tires as flat ones require more energy.
Goss says: It works but is very risky. “When you over-inflate a tire, you can compromise its traction and . . . make the tire wear out more rapidly. He adds that it is “very negligent to recommend that someone do that.”
STAY ON TOP OF OIL CHANGES: Use thinner oil.
Goss says: Goss reasons: It can have a significant effect on fuel economy, especially as the oil ages.The viscosity of engine oil is always increasing. . . . The thicker the oil is the harder it is to push through the engine.
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