Do You Drive Eco?

FSUspectra · #1 03-01-2011, 11:39 AM

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/danger_will.jpg

Jessica Marshall - DISCOVERY - March 1, 2011

The common misconceptions still persist... changing the name doesn't change the goal by making hypermiling fringe and re-inventing it as your own brand. --Ed.

How much fuel could you save just by driving differently? Between 5 and 15 percent, according to some studies, and researchers are testing approaches that they think could boost the total savings to 20 to 25 percent.

So-called eco-driving combines devices that give you instantaneous feedback on your gas mileage as you drive with a suite of tips for driving to squeeze more miles out of a tank of gas.

Meanwhile, in new approaches, researchers are testing devices that offer trip advice about what route to take and what speed to drive to maximize fuel savings.

Studies have shown that when cars are equipped with a device that provides information on instantaneous fuel consumption -- standard in a growing number of cars including the Toyota Prius -- participants typically cut fuel use by anywhere from 5 to 15 percent.... [Read More]

deleond2 · #2 03-01-2011, 02:18 PM

When I hit a low of <16mpg in my truck during June 2008 (around the same time gas was $$$$$) I finally began to take notice. I tinkered here and there with hypermiling but my numbers really improved when I got my scanguage in April 2009. With the help of the scanguage and hypermiling techniques, I went from a low of 17.2mpg (June 2007 to May 2008) to a high of 20.8mpg. Starting June 2010 up until now, I have averaged 20.8mpg. With the temps slowly warming up, my goal is to bring my average this year to at least 21mpg.

ALS · #3 03-01-2011, 03:45 PM

I remember the first car I drove with one of those dash board instantaneous fuel mileage read outs. I had rented a Chrysler LeBaron at the Fort Myers Airport. All the way down I-75 to Naples I was entertaining myself trying to see how high I could get it to read.