Aloha from Hawaii

[rottboy]

Just learned about hypermiling from another forum and have started it in the wife's Lexus. My last fill-up was the highest MPG yet thanks to paying attention to my lead foot.
Looking forward to picking up tips from everyone.
Mahalo

[hoopitup]

Yikes, every bit will help in Hawaii. Pretty expensive gas there compared to most of the US.

The best I have been able to average in my mom's ES 300 Lexus has been 27-28 on the highway, but it drops quickly with any stopping /starting. My Corolla doesn't care as it returns great numbers both city & highway.

[rottboy]

Originally Posted by hoopitup

Yikes,..expensive gas.......best...ES 300 Lexus..27-28 on the highway........ Corolla.........great numbers both city & highway.

Expensive is totally right. The only consolation is that Europeans pay more!!!

At least your mom's ES gets way better than my wife's LX350. Averaging only 17+ MPG, I have a goal to make that reach 20 MPG in the near future. For our household, that's a big improvement from the previous '07 FJ Cruiser at 14 MPG. I would say 85% of her driving is city with max. speed limit of 60 mph on our limited hwys and even then, 35 mph most everywhere else.

Was also thinking about getting the new Corolla but opted for a new 2015 Honda Fit instead to replace my aging high mileage '08 Fit. Am hoping to generate good MPG with it.

Just got into hypermiling and looking forward to the daily challenge!!!!

[theholycow]

Aloha!

What kind of techniques are you using, and do you have any questions about them?

Please ease into it as there are some hypermiling tricks that are illegal, socially unacceptable, and occasionally even unsafe.

[rottboy]

Originally Posted by theholycow

.....kind of techniques are you using,....questions about them?
.........hypermiling tricks.. illegal, socially unacceptable....even unsafe.

Am controlling my lead foot as well as anticipating what's in front of me to control braking better. So far, these two things alone have helped a great deal. The next trick, teach the wife!!!
Don't do the drafting behind semi's, but if there is a long dowhill stretch, I do go into neutral. what are the illegal things?

[trollbait]

Neutral coasting can be illegal. Depends on the local laws. Engine off coasting surely is, but as the neutral coasting, it isn't something that a cop can simply spot.

Drafting is tailgating. Going too slow or impeding traffic can mean a ticket in some places.

[theholycow]

Drafting is NOT tailgating. When I draft a semi, I'm further behind it than most other general traffic would be. Sometimes I draft a semi with a car in front of me, though that often cuts my following distance for that car down to the same rude distance practiced by most road users and I don't like being there.

When dangerously or rudely close, the air is too turbulent. You need to be 2 to 3 seconds back, which is both the legally recommended following distance and twice the distance that you'll find most people following (at least in New England). If you can feel the wind through your open windows switching sides rhythmically but don't feel it buffeting the car sideways, you're in the right position.

[trollbait]

I was going to expound upon the distance draft, but decided to keep it short. There is even a draft affect from the traffic passing you on 4+ lane roads.

What most people picture when they hear drafting is tailgating though. That's why Cleanmpg toned down the drafting discussion.

[rottboy]

Well, guys I don't really draft. Am just the type of guy who needs to know what's in front of me, slow and safe is fine for now. Will fine tune my lead foot. Am pretty good already with almost never having to use the brakes cause it been a habit since my youth to always anticipate stops.
Thanks and looking forward to how much lower I can get the wife's Lexus. During my last trip I got a personal best of 24.5 mpg. Then again, the island is pretty small and now I'm really following all the speed limits. hahahaha