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http://www.cafepress.com/cleanmpg.129837765

kewl. i have one that says:

55MPH = 55MPG.

sometimes drivers run up my butt and then back off. i don't know if they read the message or not. other times they just tailgate anyhow.

I think the store is awesome.

I'm still brainstorming the right bumper sticker for me. I don't want anything that might provoke more road rage, and I certainly don't want to be smug. I'd prefer something that makes others think "wow!.....and good for him" if possible.

"Fighting Osama @ 60 mpg" is about the best I've come up with.

Not that "fighting Osama" is my primary motivation for getting good mileage. But it's something that viscerally connects with all Americans across the political spectrum. Nobody flips off Rosie the Riveter.

But I'm not sure "fighting Osama" is even the one. Just the best I've got so far.

How about:

Considering Imported Oil?

Consider A Hybrid


Thanks,

Bob

I kinda like "Gas Sux", or something else with which someone paying $3.50/gallon could sympathize.

You know what I really want? I want someone to create a mod so that I can USB wire a connection to a scrolling billboard on top of or on the side of the car. When I pulse, it flashes "using gas" in orange. When I glide, it flashes "NOT USING GAS" in green. I have stretches of green that would make some go........."I have GOT to get me one of these".

Ask Eric about the board he just bought.

Interesting choice of wording.

I wonder if a non hypermiler's reactions to the sticker could be:

Is dangerous to hypermile?
What is hypermiling?
Why is it dangerous?

The message you want to give is:
I may be driving slow to save gas, so please pass me, rather than tailgating, try it it works.

A clever way to get that message to the non hypermiler that is riding your A** may work better????
IMHO
laurie's 55mph=55mpg almost tells the story

Nemistic has one on his Insight that says something like
65MPG @ 55MPH
55MPG @ 65MPH
That sums it up pretty well?

I recently saw a bumper sticker that said:

Yes I'm going slow, I saving money to buy Viagra.

Hi Mike:

___Do you believe a “Caution! Baby On Board” means a baby is dangerous?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Dangerous to your wallet certainly.

Nemistic has one on his Insight that says something like
65MPG @ 55MPH
55MPG @ 65MPH
That sums it up pretty well?

I like it but think it is too much for someone to absorb on the road.

How about something simpler like:

(a) an arrow pointing upwards next to MPG
(b) MO MPG
(c) <- PASS ME (perhaps with the left-pointing arrow curling around and smoke puffs behind its tail?)
(d) <- PLEASE PASS ME (if you want to be more polite)

Perhaps 'Caution! Hypermiling in progress' rather than 'Danger'

I started a thread once about the merits of a "Please Pass" sticker.

It was over two years ago, but many felt there are a few hotheads that would become even more incensed (why are they allowed to drive?)

If the weather warms up enough, I have a sticker that was made by DaveW that I will put on. It's been so long since I've looked at it but, IIRC, it reads, "Hybrid research vehicle, please pass." I also have some of the slow-moving vehicle signs to add as well.

how about

"in training
greatrace.com
MPG challenge"

Hi Larry:

___Remember this one?

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/530/Experimental_Farm_Implement.jpg

___Give Randall all of 5 minutes and he will come up with a doozy :D

___Good Luck

___Wayne

"Beware: Force Flux Fields"?

"Stay Clear!: Force Field Generator in Operation!!"

Sorry, I'm being silly again....

Everyone knows what a baby is, and knows why caution is advised, but not everyone knows what hypermiling is, or why one would needs a caution warning when doing it?

Not trying to be negative, just my impressions. I am sure the sign would help with any hybrid driver, but we are not the problem.

On the serious side, Randall's has the best plan.

On the less serious side, a phony LPG barrel might discourage tailgaters. :p

Hi Mike:

___There is nothing inherently dangerous about following the speed limits and in fact it is safer. Bumper stickers make a statement such as “Stop Global Warming”. They are not intended to prevent global warming but only raise awareness of such. Maybe you are mixing up the reason for placing a bumper sticker on a vehicle to begin with?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Here is a picture of the sticker that DaveW made for me. I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can get it on my car. I'm wondering about putting the caution triangles on. Could it be possible that a less than cooperative policeman could say that I need to have my flashers on if I have the slow-moving vehicle triangles on? Just curious.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/GEDC0018.JPG

sean and i were joking around about someone's new luxury car that set the buyer back around $40K........i want a bumper sticker that says:

THIS IS A LUXURY CAR
I HAVE $$ LEFT AFTER I FILL IT

too vauge for the general public? :D

This morning at 6:15am a tailgating truck did his bright lights. My response: I turned off my headlight since he was willing to illuminate the road for the both of us. :p

I just lurked at the TDI forums and there is a very long thread on a TDI guy that admitts to going under the speed limit (i.e. hypermiling - got to PM him). Sadly, trolls have interjected Nazis, Communists, other flamebait. :rolleyes:

Just a small sample of that thread - this response is flamed for no good reason :mad: (other than some gearhead is very defensive about his speeding
They have signs on the freeway in my region that say "Slower drivers stay Right" or similar.
Faster drivers are just as wrong being in the Right lanes as slower drivers in the Left.
I would also venture to say that a small MPH difference between lanes is reasonable. So, for example on a 4-6 lane freeway the Left lane flow is 75MPH it's not unreasonable to drive around 60 in the far right lane.

Syndicate:
Let's look at actual figures.
I drive ~60MPH in the far right lanes, 50 miles to work and have averaged about 64MPG. Yes, I've done some radical things to boost my economy in the past on vacant rural roads- but most people get about 46MPG in the same model, driving without hardly any thought of economy.
I've driven 100,000 miles in my auto. Based on $2.50/g, what is my $ savings:

100k/64=1562 gallons
1562 x 2.50=$3905

100K/46=2173 gallons
2173 x 2.5=$5432

$5432 - $3905 = $1527 saved due to economy driving.
Personally, my family can use that extra money and I consider it worth a calmer, more peaceful ride.

How often do we hear folks complain about others driving more slowly in the Right lanes as "dangerous" and hear nothing about those hyper-speed lane weavers and tailgaters? If I'm traveling in the far Right lane going ~60, a bit slower than the next lane and a lane weaver crosses several lanes and zips in behind me, It's not me who's causing problems.

A "slug" driver, or "road hog" is a different thing, causing a frantic bottleneck behind them. I don't think that's what rhaus's original post was about.
What I've observed is the careless super-speeders invading the Right lanes, encountering Right lane speeds and getting upset at those slow(er) drivers. What would they expect?

-Steve

I live around and travel upon some of the busiest sections of roadway on the North American continent. I drive at or below the posted speed limit at all times and stick to the rightmost lane. I have had little or no problem with other drivers and have never been flipped off (Yes I really live in NJ...). And ya know what? Traffic flows along just fine despite my disinclination to drive like a complete and utter moron.

Go with the flow? No, thanks. Really.

Why?

60+ MPG
Stress-free driving.
No speeding tickets. Ever.
Look! I only need one lane!
Same or similar times in transit.
Much more time and space for reaction.
Did I mention 60+ MPG?

I find it offensive to hear that those obeying the law and driving responsibly, considerately, and - horror of horrors - not in excess of the speed limit, should be labeled as a "hazard" or similar such endangerment to others. This is, in my estimation, a total cop-out. I will not justify the behaviour or those who drive as inattentive, uncaring, foolhardy imbeciles because some choose not to follow in their immediate wake of idiocy.

Go with the flow? Right off a cliff and into the sea, no doubt.

Outstanding topic! Here's a State Trooper's perspective:

The priority throughout my shift is traffic law enforcement. I work both interstate and two lane highways.

I would agree that driving 15 under the limit isn't wise, but not as dangerous as driving 15 over the limit. I find that folks that exceed the speed limit also follow too closely (tailgate), make unsafe lane changes, don't signal movement and drive, overall, more aggressively than the "fuel economist." A "polite" speeder is a rarity on the hwy.

The velocity of the vehicle results in exponential growth, as velocity increases, in severity of injuries and/or death if an accident occurs. Therefore, it is in all our best interest, for me, the state trooper, to slow down vehicles rather than speed them up. I have never pulled a dead body from a motor vehicle accident and said, "golly jeez, he would have made it only if he had been going faster."

Responding to Rotarykids arguement; If the speed limit was raised to 80 mph on I95, your friends would be doing 90, expecting the same 10 mph "buffer" that is usually given. I know it, he knows it, we all know it. Speeders set their cruise control 5-12 mph over the speed limit, because of the "buffer." No matter what the speed limit is, the same 5-12 mph is added. Thus, a 65 zone has an artificial 70-77 tolerance. Why increase all speed limits if driver's are already adding and getting away with doing 10 over?

My point is, the existence of police is due to the citizen breaking the rule and/or pushing his luck. Raising the speed limit to 80 would only result in people thinking 90 is acceptable. The lack of driving skill and etiquette on the highways and 90 mph?

On the other hand, fuel economy is not the most imporant factor when driving an automobile. Safety and traffic flow are. We all must make sacrifices to ensure this, even a drop in mpg, god forbid.

Interesting choice of wording.

I wonder if a non hypermiler's reactions to the sticker could be:

Is dangerous to hypermile?
What is hypermiling?
Why is it dangerous?
That was my first thought as well. The wording implies that hypermiling is less safe than "normal" driving.

Hi Mike:

___Do you believe a "Caution! Baby On Board" means a baby is dangerous?

___Good Luck

___Wayne
Wayne, you've directed a number of snide comments toward Mike recently. :confused:

[From the State Trooper's quote:]
...I have never pulled a dead body from a motor vehicle accident and said, "golly jeez, he would have made it only if he had been going faster."

That's a great point! I'll be sure to remember that line.

That's a great point! I'll be sure to remember that line.

I like that one too.

The only thing that concerns me is that policemen also used to say that they have never unbuckled a dead man. I know of two specific cases where there was an accident that the people wearing the belts died and the people in the other vehicle weren't wearing belts and they walked away with no/minor injuries. For the record, I do wear my belts always.

Hi Fenrir:

___Follow the source of Hypermiling is “Dangerous”? It is always Mike for some reason, sorry :ccry:

___Good Luck

___Wayne

You seem to have misinterpreted Mike's meaning, which I believe was that people who don't know about hypermiling will read the sticker and think it is dangerous. Afterall, the sticker says they need to exercise caution... and this probably isn't the image CMPG wants to portray. I haven't seen Mike spreading "hypermiling is dangerous" ideas.

Hi Fenrir:

___Look back at his first post and what was mentioned twice???

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I wonder if a non hypermiler's reactions to the sticker could be:

Is it dangerous to hypermile?
What is hypermiling?
Why is it dangerous?
Seems pretty clear to me that Mike is saying Is it dangerous to hypermile? What is hypermiling? Why is it dangerous? might go through the mind of someone reading the sticker.

Mike goes on to add:

The message you want to give is:
I may be driving slow to save gas, so please pass me, rather than tailgating, try it it works.
If hypermiling isn't dangerous, then there's no need for other drivers to exercise additional caution around hypermilers. (Please don't read this and think I'm saying hypermiling is dangerous...)

Hi All:

___A bit OT, sorry …

___Fenrir, you are not but Mike has been doing this kind of thing for a while now. Look at the flow of traffic responses with the same and the bicycle speed discussions he has posted. Mike knows how the 2006 Tour De Sol results turned out at almost 90 mpg with our hands tied behind our back and I thought that would be the end of it. Yet he still brings up slower speeds as an issue even though Dan and I finished up in ~ the same time he did with a far superior FE?

___Is hypermiling dangerous? No. Is a baby on board dangerous? No. Then why was Dangerous mentioned twice? Mike is smarter than that … It is a bumper sticker making a cool statement, nothing more.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

*Driving* is dangerous, and people can be going slower for any
of a thousand reasons. C'mon, guys, you know that posts are so
easy to misinterpret; lighten up ... it's up to traffic behind
to adapt to changing conditions, regardless of the reason. One
out-of-state tourist trying to route through the maze, someone
having car trouble, a truck that just entered on an uphill ramp,
a work van dropping off the guys that pick up trash in the
median. Are they dangerous? No more so than the guy doing 73
in the middle lane -- in fact less so because anyone approaching
already knows something's a little different. When the guy in
the middle lane drops his coffee, that's the big surprise.
.
What do these high-and-mighty "enthusiast" forums say about the
right way to handle stop-n-crawl rush hour? Huh? I bet they
don't say much about it at all, but they all have to handle
it too. Badly, I imagine, since there's no place for their
antics in that situation.
.
_H*

Hi Al:

___In a Prius, Stop and Crawl = Good :D :D :D Everything else, DWB and pray :angel:

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I think "CAUTION" or -- better yet -- "WARNING" would have been better words to use on the sticker than "DANGER". "Danger" is a much stronger word when used on signs, and is usually reserved for situations where there is imminent or grave danger. "Caution" implies that there is danger but that it can be mitigated if due caution is exercised. "Warning" is milder, alerting people to potential adverse consequences that do not necessarily involve physical harm.

Let me pose this question: Why are we inclined to justify our actions with wording posted on the back of our cars? Be it stickers, vanity tags, triangles, etc, why do we feel the need do it?

I was actually at the DMV yesterday to get a tag for my Insight and was seriously considering a tag that said something like "MegaMPG" or "75 MPG", but I thought why?
The great majority of wasteful people passing us while we hypermile, are usually going too fast to even read them. The few that might read them probably don't understand anyway.

Is it my job to try and educate as many people as possible on saving resources? Probably, but they have to want to be educated first. It's kind of like an addiction. The majority of the speeding, gas guzzler drivers don't realize they have a problem; they just look at our small cars as they pass us and look puzzled.

I guess I'm just venting here..... In the end, I went with a standard issue, regular non-vanity tag for my Insight, but I'm still wrestling with the idea of saying anything on the back of my car. I understand the need to spread the word, but are people really going to get it? Do other people really care?

I figure that two bumper stickers is the most people are going to read - after that it's probably a blur.

Considered putting an electric cord as a joke on the rear bumper, but even in 2008 a few would seriously think I drive a PHEV, so I scrapped the idea.

Since we have found it necessary to get off topic here:

A bit of clarification on the 2006 tour de sol
Wayne and Dan 90.4MPG
Mike and Troy, plus 400 lbs of dead weight 82.5 mpg
The e-wheel was not used, and the boost batteries depleted in 40 minutes due to partial charge. Once the charge was depleted, we tried driving slow for the rest of the race to maximize MPG on the very long and hilly route.
I congratulate Wayne and Dan, the 90.4 MPG was quite a feat at any speed on that route.
At one point Troy and I were considering pulling out the batteries and leaving them on the side of the road.:rolleyes:

As I see it, the major disagreement that Wayne and I always have has to do with MIMA.

Wayne feels that staying off the assist at all cost (slower acceleration rate, and average speed) will yield the best MPG, and therefore MIMA should not improve MPG since it encourages you to use assist.

He is totally correct for a stock Insight, as long as you can live with the slower acceleration and average speed.

As any MIMA driver will confirm, full manual control, with careful and timely application of assist and regen can improve their MPG while also allowing faster acceleration and average speed.

Since all of this is relative to road conditions, and average speed, we need to depend on the other hypermilers that do have MIMA and full control of the IMA, and see how they incorporate the MIMA advantage into their other hypermiler techniques. 50 owners cant be wrong when they report 5-20% improvements in MPG over their pre MIMA MPG.

This is not speculation but fact, and therefore we need to stop all the snide remarks, and get back to the topic we are all on the same side here.

As Fenrir said, my first post was simply to share my reactions to the bumpersticker, and present my point of view, not to cause any friction.

A bumper sticker can raise awareness to the advantages of driving for efficiency, so I am all for it, but we need to be careful to realize that the people that need to hear the message the most, do not understand hypermiling, and may see the word for the first time on the back of the car in the right hand lane.

Ethride, I can't tell you what to do, but if you're not comfortable with bumperstickers it doesn't seem like a good idea for you to put it on your car.

I'm very comfortable with it, and bumper stickers are much more popular in this part of the country than in other areas, so one certainly doesn't stick out like a sore thumb having them here.

Even if it's simplistic, I want my viewpoint to be well represented to the general public. I want people to know there are those among them who care about fuel economy, and are doing what they can even if they don't drive a hybrid. Likewise, during the political season I have political stickers on my car because I want my view point to be seen/heard by as many people as possible.

Basically, a bumper sticker is a form of advertising. Advertising measures its effectiveness in terms of the number of "impressions". Let's say I keep a sticker on my car for a year. I've made thousands upon thousands of impressions with my $3 bumper sticker, at probably less than a tenth of a penny per impression. I could buy a print ad in my local newspaper promoting hypermiling, or a radio ad on a local station, but I guarantee you the cost per impression is much higher. Sure bumper stickers are simplistic, but so is most advertising -- and yet few doubt its effectiveness.

I realize my sticker will have no effect on most people. But if I get even a dozen people to stop and think -- out of the thousands who see my sticker -- then my $3 has been well spent.

To me the beauty of the MIMA system is its flexibility: it can be used in a myriad of ways, or reverts to the stock system by simply poking a button. So you can use it according to your preferences and to the road conditions. I bet each of the 50+ owners has evolved a different style of MIMA use.

What I would like to see on a bumper sticker is:

KEEP CLEAR - HYPERMILING IN PROGRESS

or

PLEASE PASS - HYPERMILING! (possibly with a curving leftwards arrow on the left side)

or some version of these. Either avoids any hint that hypermiling is dangerous and suggests a simple clear response for the following driver.

As far as people reading vanity plates, I get a lot of positive reactions from people in passing cars which I suspect are due to my vanity plates. Bumper stickers are hard to read unless the text is short and in large font. I like to read them, but some are impossible to read unless you're insanely close to the rear bumper.

How about "Law abiding citizen. Please go around." With an arrow on the left?

Dang it, tbaleno, if you print that bumpersticker you're going to make me buy one. That might be even better than "Try Eco Driving, not Ego Driving," which I currently display with pride.

Of course, if I drive around with that sticker, I'd d*** well make sure I'm law abiding!

How about "Law abiding citizen. Please go around." With an arrow on the left?

That's good, but how about "Law abiding citizen. Please Pass." With the arrow.