Thoughts on Fuel Economy:How to Stretch a Gallon of Gasoline

**Tideland Prius** · 11-27-2007, 03:48 PM

Toyota’s engineers go out of their way to make our cars and trucks as fuel-efficient as we can possibly make them. But the one thing over which we have no control is how efficiently our vehicles are driven. This is critical, because the way you drive can have a huge impact on the fuel economy your vehicle obtains. Just ask any hypermiler.

You may have heard the term hypermile. It’s used to define a driving strategy for getting the greatest distance out of every gallon of fuel in a vehicle’s fuel tank - and maybe even exceed the vehicle’s EPA fuel-economy estimates.

Full Article

MikeSF · 11-27-2007, 06:07 PM

I'm confused

Quote:

But the one thing over which we have no control is how efficiently our vehicles are driven. [/b]

Isn't that the one thing we DO have control over?

tripp · 11-27-2007, 07:06 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MikeSF @ Nov 27 2007, 04:07 PM) [snapback]544897[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I'm confused
Isn't that the one thing we DO have control over?
[/b]

I think he meant "the one thing they have no control over".

morpheusx · 11-27-2007, 09:47 PM

One thing that has always irritated me since I've been driving. And I don't know if this is true of older Toyota's as the prius is my first and the only Toyota I've ever driven, but many lower priced cars that were in my price range back in the 90's (sub $18,000 range) still only had 3 speed automatics. Seems like such a waste that the engineers did to save the company a few dollars which is one reason why I chose my 5 speed Manual back then. Now that times have changed just about all of the "Crossover" and "SUV" vehicles are coming with 5 speed automatics so that they get more reasonable fuel economy. This is how a larger vehicle like the Ford Edge manages to get an EPA highway rating of 29MPG. <-- which is practically as good as most midsize cars.

**Tideland Prius** · 11-27-2007, 10:13 PM

yep... TMS used to have a 3-spd in the Corolla VE/CE all the way through 2000. We got rid of our 3-spd auto in 1998 in Canada.

MikeSF · 11-28-2007, 10:27 AM

Heck my first car, an 83 toyota corolla only had one side mirror! how much cheaper could you get for trying to cut costs!

MSantos · 11-28-2007, 12:07 PM

All in all... a good article.

But...

As usual many of us will take issue with some of the author's assertions. For instance just to pick one: Tire pressure and the consequences of running the tires inflated above the sidewall max. He claims that tires are likely to wear more aggressively in the middle (or suffer premature wear).

There are a few other out-of-date or simply exaggerated claims but heck... we're kind of used to it.

Cheers;

MSantos

**Tideland Prius** · 11-29-2007, 01:56 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MikeSF @ Nov 28 2007, 07:27 AM) [snapback]545200[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Heck my first car, an 83 toyota corolla only had one side mirror! how much cheaper could you get for trying to cut costs!
[/b]

one rear licence plate light

no underbody anti-chipping coat (the black stuff. The Honda Fit doesn't have it!)

no stabiliser bars

no rear wiper (hatchback models)

**TonyPSchaefer** · 11-29-2007, 09:07 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MSantos @ Nov 28 2007, 11:07 AM) [snapback]545244[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

As usual many of us will take issue with some of the author's assertions. For instance just to pick one: Tire pressure and the consequences of running the tires inflated above the sidewall max. He claims that tires are likely to wear more aggressively in the middle (or suffer premature wear).
There are a few other out-of-date or simply exaggerated claims but heck... we're kind of used to it.[/b]

When I am presenting to the general public about hypermiling techniques, I am careful to stress that exceeding the sidewall pressure is not endorsed or recommended by Toyota or the tire manufacturer. And then I tell them to block every slot in their grill but stress that this is not a Toyota recommended procedure. I also tell them that they can install a block heater even though they are not sold in the United States. Not to mention the EV button which is only available through import.

I am careful to mention all the disclaimers because I do not want to be liable for someone who thinks I am telling them to endanger their lives or the wear of their automobile. I can imagine that any public document originating from anyone officially tied to Toyota is thoroughly scrubbed to ensure that everything is within specifications and recommended operating conditions.

All in all, the suggestions in the article are the basic ones I and most people start off with when trying to teach new hypermilers.

jstack · 11-29-2007, 06:10 PM

good points. Everyone should take responsibility for any modification they do, good or bad.

I drive smart and get 55-85 in a car pool with 3 of us. That's even better than hypermiling by carring more people. Then when you drive for top miles you all do even better.

I also stay on local roads instead of highways. It's easier to get high mpg and safer. Speed does kill, 40,000 or more a year from vehicles. A little slower is much safer and less wind resistance.

11-27-2007, 03:48 PM	#1
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,932 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Toyota’s engineers go out of their way to make our cars and trucks as fuel-efficient as we can possibly make them. But the one thing over which we have no control is how efficiently our vehicles are driven. This is critical, because the way you drive can have a huge impact on the fuel economy your vehicle obtains. Just ask any hypermiler. You may have heard the term hypermile. It’s used to define a driving strategy for getting the greatest distance out of every gallon of fuel in a vehicle’s fuel tank - and maybe even exceed the vehicle’s EPA fuel-economy estimates. Full Article __________________ 2005 Tideland Pearl Premium Package as of 25th Oct 2004 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, OEM All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, EV Mod, JDM Prius Interior Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Integration Kit, LED licence plate lights, Phillips Vision Plus 2008 smart fortwo passion coupé as of 28th Apr 2008 Foglights, dash pods, leather seats, OEM rubber mats, BRABUS alum. handbrake, LED licence plate lights & dome lamp

11-27-2007, 09:47 PM	#4
morpheusx Professor Chaos Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 1,227 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	One thing that has always irritated me since I've been driving. And I don't know if this is true of older Toyota's as the prius is my first and the only Toyota I've ever driven, but many lower priced cars that were in my price range back in the 90's (sub $18,000 range) still only had 3 speed automatics. Seems like such a waste that the engineers did to save the company a few dollars which is one reason why I chose my 5 speed Manual back then. Now that times have changed just about all of the "Crossover" and "SUV" vehicles are coming with 5 speed automatics so that they get more reasonable fuel economy. This is how a larger vehicle like the Ford Edge manages to get an EPA highway rating of 29MPG. <-- which is practically as good as most midsize cars. __________________

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Sudden Drop in Fuel Economy After Service - Ethanol additive in fuel?????	nick63	Fuel Economy	22	08-14-2008 12:15 PM
Next stop: $3.35 per gallon, according to fuel experts	Screaming Red	Prius Main Forum	46	04-30-2007 04:43 PM
Real Cost of Oil Equates to $10 Gallon Gasoline	Three60guy	Prius and Hybrid News	10	04-06-2006 12:50 AM
gasoline could hit $3 per gallon this summer	JackDodge	Prius Main Forum	10	01-24-2006 05:51 PM
Real Cost of Oil Equates to $10 Gallon Gasoline	Three60guy	Prius Main Forum	0	12-31-1969 07:00 PM

11-27-2007, 10:13 PM	#5
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,932 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	yep... TMS used to have a 3-spd in the Corolla VE/CE all the way through 2000. We got rid of our 3-spd auto in 1998 in Canada.

11-28-2007, 10:27 AM	#6
MikeSF Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 354 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Heck my first car, an 83 toyota corolla only had one side mirror! how much cheaper could you get for trying to cut costs!

11-28-2007, 12:07 PM	#7
MSantos Skeptical Accelerometrist Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 235 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	All in all... a good article. But... As usual many of us will take issue with some of the author's assertions. For instance just to pick one: Tire pressure and the consequences of running the tires inflated above the sidewall max. He claims that tires are likely to wear more aggressively in the middle (or suffer premature wear). There are a few other out-of-date or simply exaggerated claims but heck... we're kind of used to it. Cheers; MSantos

11-29-2007, 06:10 PM	#10
jstack Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 135 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	good points. Everyone should take responsibility for any modification they do, good or bad. I drive smart and get 55-85 in a car pool with 3 of us. That's even better than hypermiling by carring more people. Then when you drive for top miles you all do even better. I also stay on local roads instead of highways. It's easier to get high mpg and safer. Speed does kill, 40,000 or more a year from vehicles. A little slower is much safer and less wind resistance.