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The thread about how others react to our hypermiling brought this to mind.

Last Friday I was riding around with my architect/friend, who thoroughly understands hypermiling, supports it, has tried it, does not complain when riding with me and I am doing it - but does not use these methods himself.

I didn't say anything, but the speeds he was going (10 over most of the time) seemed too fast to me, especially on two-lane back roads around here. And felt out-of-control. We went by several cops and that didn't seem to faze him.

Anybody else have experiences like this?

You have NO idea. :(

Ask Wayne about my wife's driving sometime. :eek:

You mean the one registered on this site as Left Lane Speeder? Sorry, man.

Riding with anyone usually bothers me, but I'm least bothered by those who pay attention to laws an traffic, and that don't mess around behind the wheel. Hypermiler or not, anyone letting their personal feeling interfear with getting the legal driving done, bugs me.

You mean the one registered on this site as Left Lane Speeder? Sorry, man.

The one and only!

sadly, my best friend. she drives one of those small jeeps, fast acceleration, slams the 5 speed into gear, fast braking at stops, and doesn't give a rip what gas costs. i love her dearly, but i can't abide her driving....we go to a couple of weekend events together during the year (she lives down in mpls), and i always find a way for me to drive. it helps that she is directionally challenged and is willing to let me drive.

My son depends heavily on his brakes. He either isn't paying attention or he can't see that far ahead, but he accelerates up to red trafic lights then just about lock 'em up. He even installed oversized rotors and special break pads for more breaking power.

Drives me nuts! One day I'm going to put my foot through his floorboard trying to stop his car from the passenger seat.

I also notice other drivers on the road who can't wait to get to red lights. They pass me and cut me off with road rage. They don't get it! How can they afford driving their HUGE SUVs like gas is free?

It doesn't bother me unless it is excessively unsafe. Just as I have the right to drive slow and cause people riding with me a slight time inconvenience they have the right to drive how they like within some legal reality.

It is their money, their car, and their gas.

It doesn't bother me, but I definitely see how little sense it makes. I've been a speed freak a lot longer than a hypermiler but after a few weeks of really paying attention to how I've driven all these years (which was how most people drive), I realize how stupid the consensus behavior on the the road is. Everybody speeds up too fast and races towards stop signs and red lights.

My son depends heavily on his brakes. He either isn't paying attention or he can't see that far ahead, but he accelerates up to red trafic lights then just about lock 'em up. He even installed oversized rotors and special break pads for more breaking power.

Drives me nuts! One day I'm going to put my foot through his floorboard trying to stop his car from the passenger seat.

I also notice other drivers on the road who can't wait to get to red lights. They pass me and cut me off with road rage. They don't get it! How can they afford driving their HUGE SUVs like gas is free?

Some people have enough money to not have to worry about gas prices going up. They are impatient on the roads, usually barreling around people like me who slow down to conserve. It irritates me too, but consider that there are plenty of Prius drivers who do the same thing, then complain to Toyota that their mileage is lower than they hoped.

You just have to learn to deal with it.

Uh... I'd bet money they *are* worrying about fuel prices, but
are still in resentful denial peppered with some twisted sense
of entitlement and so-called "freedom".
.
I just don't know if they'll ever get over it.
.
Oh, to actually answer the question -- yes. I delicately try
to offer some pointers and quickly get a sense for whether the
driver wants to hear anything about it or not, and apply
accordingly.
.
_H*

My wife drive like she's in a stock car race... HEAVY on the skinny and slammin into the curves. I just found out about hypermiling and drive a 1/2 ton Dodge that I do use the bed of about once a week..... Not a pretty boy truck for show.
But I couldn't keep up with my wife if I had to. She calls me an old man because of the way I drive. Can't help it, I like my cash in my wallet.... Not spraying out my tail pipe. I just paid of the Dodge and looking for a deal on a Honda... Can anyone point me in the right direction???

-Darren
Newbie Hypermiler
(19.8mpg / 45 mile hwy/city this morning) at least I'm tryin!

I went out to lunch last week and road with a non-hypermiler. Actually there was me and three non-hypermilers. As we were getting into the car, one of them says, I bet the driver's driving style is going to bother you. I responded with, "Nope. We're car pooling, so the passenger MPGs are high." :)

It bothers me more now than ever before. I get genuinely scared at how late they brake, exceed the limits and generally drive dangerously. As was said in another thread: Gas is still too cheap. I wonder how much will it have to go before people slow down. Oh wait..... They have slowed down (or at least drive less). Thats why oil producers have (or will) cut back production to make up for the drop in general fuel use and keep prices high. What a screwed up world we live in!

ollie

Absolutely! a recent ride brought to mind the quote from Otto of the Simpsons:

"Hey, this is fun, isn’t it? We’re gonna die, aren’t we?"

Either I haven't had the chance, or no one will invite me (imagine tears at this point).

Actually, I've been either on a job site in another state, or working at my new "home office." Really no opportunities lately.

I did drive with my manager (a woman) from Houston to Port Arthur, and with a co-worker (another woman) from Port Arthur to George Bush International. Both drove faster than I, but both handled the vehicle very well, and I was at ease. They teased me about renting tiny cars, and driving slowly (i.e., the speed limits).

Two things that bother me when riding as a passenger are people who use their brakes a lot and ones who need to be first to a red light.

Only small things about their habits bother me, like if they leave the car on while we go to Sonic (a drive in diner for anyone who doesn't know what it is), and things like that.

The only things that really bug me is if they drive recklessly, like you feel they are going to rear end the person in front of them every single time they stop behind someone.