Happy Earth Day!
Happy Earth Day!
Today is the 38th annual celebration of the planet we call home, and a day to step back and think about things we can do to preserve and restore our natural resources…
So that’s the official line on Earth Day, but I want to know: what do YOU think about Earth Day?
Is it a time to reflect on accomplishments?
A time to call for more action?
Or something in-between?
Send a post, let us know, then go outside and do something good for the planet.
Home > Blogs > Living Green > Archives > 2008 > May > 03 > Entry
Hypermiling
Yesterday’s post touched on my preferred way to increase the length between my visits to the gas pump, but there are times when I can’t get do what I need to do without driving or - I’ll admit it - I’m too lazy to take the bike. I imagine event the most dedicated bike commuter has those moments.
A couple of comments and a timely email via Facebook tipped me off to more info on increasing my mileage. In fact, Google “Hypermiling” and you come across a number of websites, some genuine, some spurious ($95 to run your car off of tap water, anyone?), that detail more tips for boosting mileage. Here’s a link to a wiki on the subject to get you started.
I’m going to try two suggested by iHero: increasing tire pressure and unloading the excess junk in the trunk - literally. I probably have 25 pounds of miscellany sitting int he back, because I don’t have anywhere better to put it. I’ll keep recording my mileage and report back. In the meantime, any other hypermilers out there? What MPG can you get?
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: General green living
Comments
By tdc
May 8, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
I just had my first hypermiling trip and have to say it was a blast. For starters I realized I have a slow leak in one of my tires—all of the others were about 42 psi and this one was 20—ooops! The best part of the hypermiling experience was zooming up behind the semis to catch a bit of a draft. I know I know, its not the safest thing in the world, but it is a pretty amazing feeling when you can pop your vehicle into neutral (if you have a manual shift) and just glide behind a truck. I don’t have figures on how much my gas mileage improved, but my tank is still pretty full!