Hypermiling: How to Get More Miles Per Gallon From Your Car, Truck, or SUV

Gas prices are at all time highs, and it is putting a drain on the pocketbook. Vehicle manufacturers are coming out with newer more efficient car designs, but the payoff by trading in your current vehicle would many years or virtually nonexistent. Also the physical change of going from an SUV to a compact car would mean a loss of versatility and hauling capacity.

The most cost efficient way is to keep your current car until it no longer becomes reliable, and then get a new vehicle. I have put some tips are for everyone who drives a car, but for those of us who have that big SUV it can mean a lot of saving, while having the comfort and luxury of the bigger ride.

Standard tips are for everyone, and the Hypermiling tips are for those who are looking for every edge possible to get more miles per gallon.

Tires

Standard

You need to keep your tires inflated to the vehicle manufacturers recommended pressure. If it is anything less, it will increase rolling resistance and lower your MPG by up to 10%.

Hypermiling

Inflate your tires above the recommended vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation, but lower than the maximum printed on the tire. This will reduce your rolling resistance, but you will have a little bit less tire on the road which is also less traction.

Purchase harder silica tires to reduce rolling resistance.

Speeding

Standard

Going to speed limit and not accelerating hard will dramatically increase your MPG. There was a reason the speed limit on the highways was 55 miles per hour, it was to reduce fuel consumption. The faster you go you increase your wind resistance exponentially, and your miles per gallon drop fast.

Hypermiling

Your vehicle is built around a sweet spot of 45 – 60 mph for optimum engine efficiency, for this is when overdrive option on automatics kick in. People around you will not be happy, but your wallet will be happier.

Fuel

Standard

Use the lowest octane that your manufacturer recommends, and does not create any pinging. Yes, you might a wee bit more mileage by using the expensive stuff, but it will not be cost efficient.

Hypermiling

There are research finds that show that a mid range ethanol blend (greater than 10% but less than 85% ethanol) can generate better fuel mileage, even on vehicles that are not E85 rated. The key amount is a 20% to 30% ethanol blend is optimum and it will not damage your non-E85 vehicle. For further information click on the below article.

image source

Now if you can get Ethanol (E85) from the pump in your area, you want to get the 20-30% ethanol fuel mixture for optimum miles per gallon. Here is a Link to a calculator that will help you on this calculation.

image source

Coasting

Standard

When going down a hill, move your shifter into neutral. Why run the engine under a load while gravity will do the work for you?

Hypermiling

Some people go to the extreme and turn the engine of in neutral. This is similar to what hybrids do when they go totally electric. Be careful, because there are some items on your vehicle that need the engine on, like power steering pump, ABS braking, and possible loss of fluid circulation of transmission.

Drafting

Standard

Drafting is when you get behind another vehicle and allow them to reduce the wind resistance on your vehicle. When you see a big truck or vehicle, get behind them but at a safe distance. You can be up to 100 ft away from a semi trailer and still feel the affect, albeit reduced.

Hypermiling

The closer you are to the bumper of another vehicle, the more draft you will receive, but your reaction time might not be fast enough to avoid any problems.

Oil

Standard

Changing your oil on a regular interval will keep your engine in good condition, and reduce the amount of drag on the pistons. Regular oil changes will keep your vehicle performing at top MPG.

Synthetic oil is slipperier and increases your gas mileage; unfortunately synthetic oil costs more. The good news is that your oil change frequency can be reduced, and you will save money on fewer oil changes.

Hypermiling

Using synthetic oil, but the lowest weight possible. Also only fill the oil level to the lowest safe level of the dipstick. You will have to monitor your oil very carefully if you do this.

Air Intake and Filter

Standard

Change your air filter at least once a year or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. A clogged air filter prevents the car from breathing properly, and it starts to burn more fuel to compensate. It is a good idea to change your air filter after the pollen season.

Hypermiling

Cold air intakes and K&N filters are popular in the street racing circles, but it also has an affect upon gas mileage. The cooler the air, there is more oxygen is in it for a more complete combustion.

Wash and Wax

Standard

The more dirt and grit your car is carrying, the more weight you have to haul around. If you do a lot of mudding, it can have an affect on your weight.

Hypermiling

A good wash and wax can actually increase the aerodynamics of your vehicle. Of course this gas savings will be minimal, but you will have one good looking vehicle.

Weight

Standard

Don’t carry around a lot of unused stuff in your car. Your vehicle is not a storage facility; it is a mode of transportation. Every pound your car carries the more work the engine has to perform.

Hypermiling

• Change your car hood to a light weight carbon fiber hood.
• Remove noise reduction insulation in the panels.
• Change rims to light weight alloy rims.
• Remove your car spoiler.
• Replace your cooper or steel radiator with an aluminum unit.
• Do Not remove your spare tire, you need that just incase.

Mechanical changes

Standard

If your vehicle has a mechanical fan to allow air flow to go over it, you can change it to an electric fan. It is proven that a mechanical fan can rob horsepower and put an additional strain upon the engine. Electric fans are temperature controlled so they won’t always be on, and there is surplus electricity being created by your alternator to run this item. Most of the newer vehicles have changed to electric cooling fans.

Next time you need struts and shocks, ask them to lower your vehicle. It will reduce your wind cross section, thus reducing engine strain. In normal driving conditions you really don’t need 12 inches of ground clearance.

Hypermiling

• Electric cooling fan. See above.
• Electric water pump.
• Reduce the size of the alternator pulley.
• Purchase a Super Chip (Engine Control Module) for the Vehicle.

Ending Remarks

These tips can increase your gas mileage and also save you money. Some of the hypermiling tips are bordering on the edge, but use your own judgment if you plan on using them.