Not a Hypermiler. but......

[Mr gas pain]

Hello group. I drive Audis and have two cars in my "fleet". The first is an A6 Avant (that means station wagon). It is a V6 somewhat underpowered all-wheel drive car. The other car is an A8. It is a large sedan with a V8 and all wheel drive. Because of the all aluminum body, it is not as heavy as it would be otherwise.

I am not a prponent of hypermiling, but I do embrace some of the concepts. I have written several articles on the subject relating to how these concepts can be integrated into everyday driving.

My feelings is the everyday driver despite complaining, moaning and blaming everyone esle, simply doesn't care. To rephrase that he/she doesn't care enough to actually do anything. Don't construe that to mean people don't complain. Certainly, there is a lot of that on this forum and other. However, they don't care ENOUGH to do anything about their own consumption.

Doing something might suggest buying a smaller car, walking, car pooling which may not be practical. Then there is all the so-called expert advice on improving MPG. This advice includes check tire pressure, close windows, check air filter and others.

Why well meaning and perhaps affecting safety, these are only a drop in the bucket.
Hidden in some expert advice is a little jewel that is overlooked. Edmunds, which is an well known and organization suggests a 33% MPG gain is possible by eliminating agressive driving. 33% is not a drop in the bucket and is worth investigating.

The problem is no one has defined agressive driving. Ask 100 people if they drive agressively and 99 will say absolutely not. The problem is not only do they not know what it means but 90 of that 100 do drive in a manner as to waste up to 33% gas the gas they buy.

Here is an article that suggests only a modest 10% improvement but hits right to the heart of the matter. Essentially, if you accelerate more than you need to only to brake for a traffic signal, you are guilty of agreesive driving. The more you do this and other behaviors described in this article, the more gas you waste.

[Mr gas pain]

With both of my fairly big cars, I average 20-22 MPG. Note, that is average. I rarely drive on an limited access highway. I am a salesman and most of my clients are local. The mpg figure I cite is from my trip computer. Is it 100% correct? The answer is no, but I have checked it several times using convential math and it is with 2/10 one way or the other. Bottom line, it is close enough for me.

The EPA estimates for both cars are 16/26. Because I practice the driving style explained in my article, my average is much higher. If everyone drove this way, there would be a significant reduction in consumption. With appologies to hypermilers, I don't believe the average public is ready for the concept or would ever embrace it. What I have offered however, should be relatively easy to accept.

Despite the ease, it seems most drivers are like lemmings rushing off a cliff and hurrying to get nowhere. My approach works and if I could get some kind of national attention, maybe enough drivers would try it, leading to a small sucess.

[Chuck]

I don't expect everyone here to adopt all we suggest here, but if people go from aggressive drivers to non-aggressive drivers, it's progress.

If you read more here, hypermiling is not as distastful as many make it seem to be.

For instance, what's the point of charging to a red light?

What is aggressive driving? Wikipedia says...is a form of automobile operation in which an operator will deliberately behave with contempt towards other drivers and drive in such a manner as to increase the risk of an automobile accident. People know it when they see it, and if honest know they have done it themselves at one time or another.

[tarabell]

Some well-meaning, constructive thoughts here, but what you're posting on this site is a little bit like someone describing snow to the Eskimos.

[98CRV]

When I hypermile, I am not trying to change the world. Therefore, my change in habits is not at all a "drop in the bucket." By going from 23 mpg to 30 mpg and using my typical 24 000 miles per year @ $3/gallon, I save something over $700. That's real money here and now. Whatever it does for the environment is gravy, but I am most aware of what it does for me. I have little interest in changing the habits of other people. I have a bumpersticker on my car that says "hypermiler." It does not tell people "You should hypermile."

I like my choice. If others come along, great. If not, so be it. I am thankful that Wayne created this site and gave me information I could use with the car I have, here and now. If you want to start your own site with your info, feel free. Denigrating this site and our efforts will fall on deaf ears here.

[ellendanis]

Originally Posted by Mr gas pain

Here is an article that suggests only a modest 10% improvement but hits right to the heart of the matter.

Where is the article?

[atlaw4u]

I beleive most people would like to do something to reduce their gas consumption but honestly do not understand what is available to them with the car they are currently driving. For example, I don't think the average Joe has any idea what an impact it would make on their pocket book to have properly inflated tires and slowing highway speeds by 5-15mph as most drive 5-10mph above the posted limit.

[nhbubba]

Message footer says "Last edited by xcel : 03-14-2008 at 11:39 AM." Was it edited by a moderator? Links removed maybe?

Originally Posted by Mr gas pain

The mpg figure I cite is from my trip computer. Is it 100% correct? The answer is no, but I have checked it several times using convential math and it is with 2/10 one way or the other. Bottom line, it is close enough for me.

Add a paper and pen logbook to your glove box. Add an entry that lists date, odometer reading, and volume of fuel pumped at each fill up. Optionally add total fuel sale, gas station name/location and whatever notes you might find interesting. Periodically sync this paper log to a spreadsheet. Tabulate sums and averages, look for trends over time. Way more accurate than glancing at the on board display every now and then.

As an even simpler alternative, get a receipt for each fill up and scribble down the odo reading on the backside of each.

Maybe I've got a screw loose, but after a while it gets to be fun..

[Chuck]

nhbubba,

Yes, a link Mr gas pain had a link removed - just think about the nettequitte he exercised. His first post was basically an infomercial about his blog, followed by a link after he was somewhat down on hypermiling.

Always wondered how people thing they are doing effective promotion by making a one-time post: "Hi - leave this site and come to mine".

Anyway, a week later, he has not returned, if that hints at his motives.