New guy from Baltimore

shiroboi · #1 06-16-2008, 01:50 PM

Hey all. I drive a 2.4L Manual Lancer and I'm frankly sick of gas prices and our dependence on oil. Many time's I've thought of getting a hybrid or a Honda Fit but seeing as my car's almost paid off, I wanted to get the most out of what I have. More specifically, I'm becoming aware of how drastic of a change I can make in fuel consumption with some basic driving habits.

My stance: I would like to save gas on my 62 mile daily commute. I'm a fan of alternative fuels and if I could afford to go all solar I would. I hate being a slave to regulated fuels. I'm not an environmentalist, its just common sense. I previously really liked to leverage my engine's extra HP to zip my way to work but I'm realizing just how much gas I'm throwing away and how little time I'm saving. I've just started this week using some Hypermiling techniques and I'm hoping to blow away the EPA rating.

I won't:

Do anything thats dangerous

Drive slow enough to piss other drivers off

Do anything that will increase wear or abuse parts of my car.

Would love some advice. I have some questions to ask.

Just introducing myself!

Right Lane Cruiser · #2 06-16-2008, 02:16 PM

Welcome!

Anything can be construed as dangerous but as a group, hypermilers are much more aware of their surrounds and pay much closer attention to developing situations. We always place safety first anyway -- if you ever feel a technique would be dangerous for a certain situation, by all means avoid using.

If you drive at or below the speed limit, I'm sorry to say that you will indeed anger people. The best you can do is keep an eye out for developing situations and adjust your driving to make it easy to pass you. Stay in the right lane and as long as people have the option to pass, let them do what they are going to do. If it is a single lane road, just drive the speed limit if you have someone following closely. You can't please everyone, but you can stay courteous and be sure to arrange things (if possible) so that any driver who might want to travel faster knows early on that you are driving slower and has plenty of opportunity to pass. We do this by hanging to the right of the far right lane and do use the hazard flashers in brief spurts to help alert drivers if they seem not to notice that they are approaching you quickly.

Most anything we recommend will actually improve the life of components of your vehicle. The single exception is use of the starter motor, but these last quite a long time anyway.

Ask away with those questions!

shiroboi · #3 06-16-2008, 03:16 PM

Thanks for the tips and the warm welcome. I usually drive at or slightly above the speed limit but I'm trying to find a happy balance between gas milage, getting places on time, and being socially friendly. As far as cutting off your engine at stop lights, is the 10 second set in stone or does it change depending on your engine size?

Right Lane Cruiser · #4 06-16-2008, 07:40 PM

The number will vary by vehicle. I worked it out to about 4s for my Elantra. It is much closer to the 7s for my wife's 4x4 Escape. I'm not even sure what the Insight is as I've never driven with the SG in it to calibrate. It takes a rather big and thirsty vehicle to hit the 10s mark these days.

shiroboi · #5 06-16-2008, 08:09 PM

Is that so, well I guess I'll just stick with 10 to be on the safe side. Usually I wont unless i know I'll be sitting there for a minute. Don't want a ton of wear and tear on my starter. I was mad at myself today because I barely missed the yellow on a long light and forgot to kill the ignition. I guess it just takes time to get used to.

I sent some hypermiling info to one of my coworkers and he got really into it. He's getting 36.5 MPG in his 2.5L altima. Spreadin the word.

BTW, congrats on your baby girl. When's she due? My daughter is due to come out next month.

Chuck · #6 06-16-2008, 09:16 PM

Glad you came inspite of that Baltimore Sun article.

We are not that edgy.

Right Lane Cruiser · #7 06-16-2008, 09:50 PM

Thank you!! She's due October 15th -- our first and we are very excited.

Chuck · #8 06-16-2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Right Lane Cruiser

Thank you!! She's due October 15th -- our first and we are very excited.

No "October Suprize?"

shiroboi · #9 06-19-2008, 05:47 AM

Haha, I rarely read the Sun. That's not how I found the site. I did think that article wasn't too objective. They definitely wrote it in a negative tone.

Right Lane Cruiser, Congrats. Just a few more months to go. This weekend we're packing our hospital gear and installing the baby seat. I know the feeling, its very exciting.

I'm doing my first week long hypermiling test. Unfortunately we had a lot of rain on Monday which made me sit through 3+ miles of bumper to bumper traffic. Bad way to start the week. I'm trying to make up for it. I guess I'll post my results when I get them.

kwj · #10 06-19-2008, 07:10 PM

Hi Shiroboi, what's your 62 mile commute like? If it's full of traffic, is there an alternate route for you?

My commute to the office (now I have a "home office - and didn't shave today), was 46 miles round trip. I found a route that included more traffic lights, but also included about 3miles of coasting each way, slower speeds, and was nearly 5 miles shorter to boot. It would take me about 10 minutes longer than the mess out on I-70, but I arrived at both ends in much higher spirits.

So, what Hypermiling tips have you learned so far?