Become A "Hypermiler" And Get Great Gas Mileage Improvements For Your Car |
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Richard Legg
6 August 2008
With the price of gas constantly hitting new highs and with very little chance of it coming down, a new type of driver is evolving, (the "Hypermiler"). This new style driver or "Hypermiler" will try any trick or tip to get the best gas mileage improvements from their car or SUV, and then use these gas mileage secrets to save on their weekly gas bill. Some of these tips are simple ones like making sure that tires are inflated correctly, while others are more complex and involve the use of gadgets and gizmos.
So where did the name "Hypermiler" come from? Well it seems to have originated from the Hybrid-Vehicle driving clubs, where members compete with each other to find the best MPG for their particular vehicle and beat the EPA gas mileage fuel efficiency estimates. With the use of real-time mileage displays they can identify the best techniques to get the gas mileage improvements that they and everyone else are after. Some have even reported to have made as much as a 40% saving when compared to the EPA gas mileage estimates
The "Hypermiler" trend started out as a bit of competitive fun, where people would take part in races and "Hypermileage" marathons. In this way the different techniques, tricks, and gas mileage secrets were put to the test and the winner was the person who achieved the best gas mileage improvements. However with the constant rise in the price of gas the "Hypermiler" has come to the attention of the media, and these gas mileage secrets have become widely sought after by the everyday motorist.
These days the "Hypermiler" is more likely to be the average working man or woman who is just trying to get the best fuel economy possible for their car. By using the gas mileage secrets that were discovered by the Hybrid-Vehicle driving clubs they are able to make their own savings at the gas pumps. Even the drivers of the larger cars and SUVs who can better afford the rising prices are trying to find ways to increase their fuel economy simply as a matter of principle as well as a way to save a few cents.
Although the term "Hypermiling" sounds like a very American idea the whole concept of fuel efficiency and saving gas has worldwide appeal. In Europe especially, where the gas prices are double what we pay (and have been for many years) the term "Eco-driving" has been around for some time. The Eco-driver uses the same tips and tricks as the "Hypermiler" to try to increase their fuel efficiency.
So it seems that no matter where we live in the world, the days of cheap gas and the big gas guzzling cars that we used to drive are soon to be a thing of the past. With the dwindling gas supplies causing ever increasing price rises, together with the pollution caused by the use of poor fuel efficient cars, we will soon find we will all have to discover ways to make gas mileage improvements to our own vehicles and perhaps become a "Hypermiler ourselves.