'Hypermiling' With Hybrid Vehicles

Hypermiling Explained

What is hypermiling exactly? Hypermiling is when driving techniques are employed in order to maximize fuel economy. Drivers who practice these particular driving techniques are called "hypermilers".

The New Oxford American Dictionary has defined hypermiling as the attempt to maximize gas mileage by making fuel-conserving adjustments to one's vehicle and one's driving techniques.

Wayne Gerdes has spoken on the subject of hypermiling extensively and has also been responsible for popularizing it. Some say he invented the term hypermiling. In fact, he's made quite a number of appearances in the media in regards to the subject. Wayne Gerdes is also known for holding the record on gas mileage in conventional vehicles. Some of his miles per gallon records include the Acura MDX at 30 miles per gallon and the Honda Accord at 59 miles per gallon.

Due to the steady rise in gasoline prices within the last decade hypermiling has become quite popular. It can be practiced in any vehicle, hybrid or conventional and regardless of its fuel economy. There is a difference between common techniques to increase gas mileage and what would be considered "advanced techniques" to accomplish the same goal. Average motorists can make minor changes in their driving habits while hypermilers not only go beyond those minor changes but even incorporate practices that may even be illegal in most jurisdictions if not all. So a word of advice: Reducing gas costs is always desirable as long as you're not breaking the law.

Getting Maximum Fuel Mileage from Your Hybrid

The Nissan Altima Hybrid has been reported to be a great vehicle for hypermiling.

Hypermiling represents the endless mission to achieve improved fuel economy. Hypermilers are a devoted group of individuals whose ultimate goal is to push the limits of fuel efficiency to the max.

Hypermiling started with the arrival of hybrid vehicles as these vehicles have improved overall fuel efficiency. However, hypermiling is not limited to hybrids. In this article we will focus on the subject of hypermiling as it relates to hybrid vehicles. In fact, some techniques discussed can only be done with hybrid vehicles and are safer to do with a hybrid that with a conventional automobile. Some die hard hypermilers will use all these techniques on conventional cars as well though not advisable. Most of these practices are basically common sense and can be use with any vehicle or driver.

So what are these fuel economy tricks that hypermilers are using?

The "Pulse and Glide" Method

For "full hybrids" this is the main practice that has yielded great results. It's really only practical for light traffic situation such as in smaller towns or suburban areas mostly. It does take some getting use to but is effective.

When applied to the Nissan Altima Hybrid the pulse and glide system proved to be quite successful. This vehicle has been equipped with a Toyota-built Hybrid Synergy Drive. This drive was licensed to Toyota from Nissan. The Nissan lacked an energy flow monitor. For this reason it is necessary to rely on the electric vehicle mode (EV mode) display and the kilowatt (kW) meter to handle the assignment.

To start the pulse and glide, accelerate your vehicle to around 40 mph with your car's engine running. This is the "pulse" part. Then ease off the accelerator pedal until the vehicle's hybrid system goes into electric vehicle mode and the kilowatt meter shows zero (arrows indicating no energy flow. This is the "glide" part. Once you perform this "pulse and gliding" the engine is off. The hybrid's electric motor becomes disengaged and the vehicle is literally just coasting. Keep coasting till the vehicle's speedometer reaches twenty five or thirty miles per hour. When doing this you have to be aware of traffic conditions, of course. Once you're at 25 to 30 miles per hour just repeat the pulse and glide process. If one becomes proficient at applying this it prevents the vehicle engine from idling and draining fuel.

The "Forced Auto Stop" (FAS)

This method is very similar to the pulse and glide. It simply operates without the goal of re-accelerating. In hybrid vehicles, this generally involves raising the accelerator below about 40 miles per hour and then allowing the hybrid's engine to shut-off. The effect is that your vehicle de-accelerates and then coasts to a slower speed or even comes to a complete stop without using the engine. There are many conditions that can affect the forced auto stop or FAS method. These conditions include the battery's current charge, system temperature of hybrid, cabin temperature, AC compressor, etc. It can be a bit complex. If you're familiar with your hybrids software and hardware, you can find ways to get around the system.

"The Draft Assisted Forced Auto Stop" (D-FAS)

auto stop. WARNING: this is an unsafe method and should not be practiced. Unfortunately, some hypermilers use this dangerous method and is mentioned here just for informational purposes.

I know it sounds crazy at first. Really you're making minimal use of brakes since it would obviously be dangerous to drive without them. This method has to be practiced employing common sense. The main idea here is to use brakes more efficiently; not always employing the use of breaks to slow down. You need to anticipate the stop before you actually reach it. Look ahead to see possible traffic stoppages and simply begin to decelerate gradually or coast before you get there. There are a few benefits achieved with this technique:

1. This method increases your vehicle's brake life.
2. It reduces the number of times your vehicle needs to be started. Start and stop of the vehicle consumes a great deal of energy.
3. In hybrids, "coasting" helps to charge the battery. Remember hybrids incorporate regenerative braking.

"Ridge Riding" Method

To practice this driving method you have to drive near the outside edge of the road to keep tires away from slight depressions in the roadway caused from constant daily traffic. This technique works best for wet roadways. Avoiding these depressions on wet roads will help to reduce drag on tires and also increases efficiency. The result is also safer driving since you're less likely get caught hydroplaning and lose control of your vehicle.

Face Out Potential Parking

Find open parking spaces in parking lots to eliminate the backing out of a spot. If you can find a parking space that's on a slight slope then that would be even better. That way when you pull out, you can use gravity to get the vehicle moving instead of gas. Seems small but it makes a difference when you have to look for parking every day.

Fuel Consumption Display (FCD)

This device continuously calculates a vehicle's average fuel consumption expressed in either miles per gallon, metric mode or kilometers/liters. You can find this display in hybrid and non-hybrid vehicles on the instrument panel. It always lets you know where you are on fuel and is a good gauge and to measure whether or not you need to conserve more fuel. It's a great "fuel budgeting" tool.

Instant Fuel Consumption Display (IFCD)

This instrument is similar to the fuel consumption display. The only difference is that it displays your fuel usage as it is being used. It's like the fuel consumption display except it's the "live" version. This display will change every moment in response to physical conditions. These conditions include any acceleration, heavy load factors, coasting or cruising. With this gauge, you can really see the connection between your driving habits and fuel consumption from moment to moment.

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