There is some very bad advice out there in regards to improving your fuel economy. I recently saw an article from the Washington Post. It talked about a strategy called hypermiling. While some of the tips presented were useful and favorable ways to save fuel, such as being easy on the gas pedal, others were just plain dangerous.



The post described this particular fuel saving methodology as hypermiling. It described hypermilers as people who modify their driving to improve mileage and reduce emissions. That can describe many concerned motorists interested in saving gas and the environment. The difference between hypermilers and normal concerned drivers is that hypermilers are fanatics.

It seems that any activity pushed to what one would consider fanaticism is dangerous and this is no different. Some of the techniques suggested by hypermilers can put you the driver and your passengers in great peril.

For example one piece of advice offered by some hypermilers: TURN OFF YOUR CAR AND COAST. This behavior is likened to hybrids that shut the gas engine off when the vehicle is sitting still. But with hybrids, the electric motor is how the car starts and runs at slow speeds so the hybrid is not really off, it is just running on it's electrical system.

When you turn a non-hybrid vehicle off, the first thing that happens is your steering wheel locks. You have absolutely no control of the car then. The second thing is there is no power to the vehicle. Not only can you not steer but you can't power the car if you need to accelerate quickly if an emergency should arise.

Additionally the power brake system turns off. In order to stop the car you have to literally push the brake pedal through the floor board. No brakes is another extremely dangerous position to put you, your passengers and other drivers in.

Advice like this is irresponsible and can end up causing someone harm. Another suggestion by Some hypermilers is to over-inflate your tires. Again another hazardous suggestion. Over inflating your vehicle's tires causes less tread to be in contact with the pavement. The control of your car is only through the contact your tires have with the pavement. If you compromise that, you give up your control and safety.

Additionally if you over inflate your tires they will wear faster. That means you will loose tread and ultimately loose more traction. Watching your tire pressure is good advice. Keeping them at the proper inflation does save gas. Over inflating is a safety hazard.

The basic purpose of hypermilers is good. They advocate relearning how to drive. Relearning how to drive in a responsible manner with fuel economy in mind is the best way to save gas. While much of the hypermiler advice can be called mainstream, such as driving at slower speeds, their fanaticism adds too much of a degree of danger. Common sense driving, which includes learning the correct way to drive fuel efficiently, is the best way to save fuel. After all, the greatest fuel saving device is you, the driver.