Eluding the Pump: Hypermilers strive to get every mile they can

[atlaw4u]

Since Flory began hypermiling more than two years ago, he's developed a laundry list of gas saving methods to use while driving.

Chase Wright - Stamford Times - June 25, 2008

STAMFORD — John Flory doesn't sweat over high gas prices.

He drives about as much as anyone on the road — about two hours each day from his home in Essex to his job in New Haven, then back again. But his wallet has yet to take a hit.

Flory finds he only needs to fill the 10.8 gallon tank of his 2006 Honda Insight once a month. He spends less than $11 a week on gas.
But Flory's hybrid car isn't the only reason he's beating the pumps. It's the way he drives his car that really saves him money.

Flory is among the growing list of American hypermilers, drivers who strive to exceed their vehicle's EPA fuel economy rating.

The EPA rates the Insight between 60 and 66 miles per gallon (mpg). Flory averages in the mid-80s and has seen his mpg reach as high as 103.8.

"It's a numbers game. Little things like checking the air in your tires or avoiding traffic. These percentages that you save add up," he said.

Driving alongside Flory in his little, red hatchback you would never think he's saving literally hundreds of dollars. He's become so good, the techniques he uses are seamless … [Read More]

[2003protege]

short, but a verygood article =)

[kwj]

So, click on the author's name, and send your thanks.

Notice how many of us get worked up over a negative piece. Well, I think we need to be getting equally worked up over a positive piece.

Even providing positive feedback to a negative article might be a useful exercise. The author may want to learn more and do another, more positive piece once they get our "expert" input.

[mtgeekman]

Gerdes is still king of them all, however. In 2006, he set a world record at the Insight Marathon in Tonkawa, Okla. He got 2,254.4 miles on a single tank of fuel, achieving 164 mpg round trip.

was the tank bigger then stock? my math shows it would have been a 13.75 gallon tank.


just wondering, and wishing I could even get to a 90mpg average in min

[edit]
answered my own question by looking it up.

[Robert Lastick]

Originally Posted by kwj

So, click on the author's name, and send your thanks.

Notice how many of us get worked up over a negative piece. Well, I think we need to be getting equally worked up over a positive piece.

Even providing positive feedback to a negative article might be a useful exercise. The author may want to learn more and do another, more positive piece once they get our "expert" input.

Good afternoon, Chase;

It was a pleasure reading your article on Hypermiling. Being a follower of Wayne for almost 2 years now, I have been subjected to many poor articles on the topic. Your article, I must admit was very refreshing, for not only did you present hypermiling as I believe it should be presented, "a buffet table of techniques - that all cut costs", but, MOST importantly, gives the reader many reasons why he or she should practice hypermiling daily. In addition to the reasons most hypermiling articles give us as reasons to adopt the practice, your article gave Americans THE most important reason for hypermiling. The reason you gave in your article as to why Wayne started hypermiling is the same reason I started hypermiling, "as a means of taking back from the countries that wish America harm". I, as Wayne, realized what devestation our dependence on foreign oil is doing to our country, our economy and America's standard of living. I am sure your article will allow more Americans to realize this and, like all of us at CleanMPG.com., do our part to turn this thing around.

Thank you, Chase. Very nice, and timely article!!

Bob Lastick

Hypermiling Specs.

2000 Saturn SL, 1.8L 4 cyl, 5 speed Manual Transmission

Daily commute = 96 mi, 90% hwy.

Lifetime average = 51.6 MPG

Last fill up = 62.8 MPG

AND I MEAN IT!!

Thanks so much for reading and for your nice comments. My impression of hypermiling, which I researched extensively, is nothing but positive. I wanted to convey that, so people give hypermiling a chance before trashing it. Thanks again.

Best,

-Chase

[Right Lane Cruiser]

I also sent my thanks. We need all the balanced and positive reporting we can get!

[Chuck]

I think this is a triple play for lightfoot

[lightfoot]

I e-mailed the reporter to thank him too. He's a very nice young guy who works hard at journalism, hopefully things will go well for him.