Economic Endeavors

I have created a monster.

A couple of weeks ago, while my husband was out having a "guys night" with a couple of friends, I saw a bit on the news about "HyperMiling", an extreme way to save gas by implementing certain driving strategies, some of which are pretty dangerous.

Not long after Tim got back home, I asked him if he had ever heard of HyperMiling, and told him about the news article and some of the drastic measures people were taking to save a little money (not braking before turning right, taking corners at 50 mph?!). We got to talking and looked it up online, and agreed that it was a little extreme.

A few days later, he came home from work and said, "Sweetie, I have been HyperMiling like crazy, and I think I can make it till the end of the week on this eighth-of-a-tank that I have in the car now". (This was on a Tuesday, by the way.) My jaw dropped. I thought we had both agreed that it was crazy!

Well, he explained that he isn't taking it to the extreme, but that he looked it up online the next day at work and found a few tips that made sense, weren't dangerous, and could potentially make our gas go farther.

A few of the tips he's been implementing:

• Shifting into neutral and "gliding" whenever possible, especially going down hills and when approaching stop signs/ lights.
• We have a manual (stick shift), and he's been shifting up at 2000 RPMs.
• Spending a little money to inflate our tires with nitrogen, as opposed to regular air. At the dealership my husband works at, this costs $3.75 per tire, but the savings over the course of the year are significant. To find out more, read his posts on the subject at his blog here and here.

Other gas saving tips:

• Observe The Speed Limit - Each 5mph you drive over 60 costs you $0.20 per gallon for gas.
• Remove Excess Weight - This affects smaller vehicles more than large vehicles but the general rule of thumb is every extra 100 pounds in your vehicle will cost you 2%. oAt $4/gallon it costs you $0.08 per gallon.
• Avoid Excessive Idling - You get 0 mpg when you idle.
  
• Use Cruise Control - It helps you maintain a constant speed and will save you gas.
• Use Overdrive Gears - If you have an automatic transmission, make sure you use the overdrive gear.
• Keep your Engine Tuned - Engines that are out of tune cost you 4% at the pump.
• Check and Replace Air Filters - Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your gas mileage by 10%.
• Keep Tires Properly Inflated - 1 psi drop costs you 0.4% and it can add up quickly.
• Keep Your Oil Changed - Not only will it make you engine run loger but it'll save you at the pump.

So, I'm happy that my husband is saving us money on gas. However, I don't feel I was exaggerating when I said that I created a monster.

Example: Last night I went to CVS. The closest CVS is a half mile down the road. Before I left, Tim said, "Make sure you drive economically on the way there." I said, "Ok..." And he said, "No, really. Shift at 2000 RPMs, and when you turn out of the neighborhood, shift into neutral and coast down the hill till you're over the highway. You shouldn't have to hit the gas till after the light."

Oh. My. Goodness.