Outsiders' impressions of Hypermilers

[Skwyre7]

I have sent an email to the intern that started this thread. I did not mention drafting or FAS'ing. I stuck with the beginner stuff - the stuff anyone can do. I think Jim will be doing the same. If I'm asked about some of the more advanced stuff that the press seems to like, I'll be sure to stress that they are advance techniques that can be highly dangerous.

[xcel]

Hi Michael:

Originally Posted by Skwyre7

If I'm asked about some of the more advanced stuff that the press seems to like, I'll be sure to stress that they are advance techniques that can be highly dangerous.

___Whooa, advanced techniques are highly dangerous? That is far from the truth as there is only one and that is Close-In. Everything else is far safer then someone at 15 over the limit in the far left lanes behind the wheel of an SUV no matter where they drive. Even a FAS when performed properly is safer then the driver not paying attention to what is ahead, behind and to the sides in my experience.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[Skwyre7]

Originally Posted by xcel

Hi Michael:

___Whooa, advanced techniques are highly dangerous? That is far from the truth as there is only one and that is Close-In. Everything else is far safer then someone at 15 over the limit in the far left lanes behind the wheel of an SUV no matter where they drive. Even a FAS when performed properly is safer then the driver not paying attention to what is ahead, behind and to the sides in my experience.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I misspoke (mistyped?). What I meant was that they're dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. I wanted to stress that they should not be the first thing that people go out and try.

[xcel]

Hi Michael:

___I thought there was a bit messed up with that one Dumping the clutch and accelerating in the Ranger will far out accelerate a Prius II in warp or EV modes to the time the ICE is spooled up as just another example.

___I was approached at work a few times about the latest Myth Busters with cars drafting a truck on a closed course this morning and again, they think the 180.9 at HF2007 was achieved drafting or something? I tell them the average speed was about 21 mph and then they go “Uh Huh”?

___If you haven’t seen it, take a look and reply to the Trucking News item on the home page. I have a ton of calls in with no reply from anybody involved in these trucking articles.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[pumaman]

Since I only recently slowed down and started doing most of my driving in the right lane, here's my take on how I viewed other drivers during my days BH (before hypermiling).

I commute mostly on an interstate, with three or four lanes in each direction. The people in the right lane going the speed limit I figured were either doing it because they thought breaking the law, even a traffic law, was immoral, they were paranoid about being pulled over, or that they were trying to save gas. Either way I was fine with it, as long as they were courteous when I was trying to merge onto the highway.

I spent most of my time in the center lane, passing on the left when necessary and then returning to the center lane, going 5-10 mph over the speed limit.

The people who really bothered me were the ones who got on the highway, moved immediately to the left lane, and then stayed there no matter what. They'd pass someone and then there's nobody in the left or center lane for miles but they won't move back over. My wife used to do this and eventually changed her behavior (a bit) when she realized how much it bothered me. They may be moving fast, but it doesn't mean they should stay to the left all the time. If you do, eventually someone faster will catch up to you and you have to either move over then or they have to pass on the right. You have to love the Germans in this regard. They drive fast over there but they all drive the same, staying right except to pass. If you don't do that on the autobahn, before you know it a Mercedes will zip up at 180 klicks and will be right on your bumper flashing his lights.

Also sometimes I'd be behind someone and we're both on the left passing slower traffic but they're going just barely faster than the people on the right, and it takes forever to pass. I hated getting hung out in the left lane. When I was passing, and someone faster came up behind me I'd hit the gas just to get the pass over and move out of their way.

Then every so often I'd come upon a person in the left lane going the speed limit, not moving over even if someone faster came along. I don't know if they were just a holier than thou person trying to make all the traffic slow down and obey the limit, or if they just didn't have a clue how to use the lanes properly. I never thought of those people as the ones trying to save gas though, just ignorant or maybe plain jerks.

But now I don't have to worry about most of that stuff!