“Hypermiling” for Better Gas Mileage
High gas prices have given rise to "Hypermiling," the art and science of wringing as much mileage out of a tank of gas as possible. Some practitioners take it to extreme and even illegal limits. But MSN reviewed some of the saner techniques promoted by a champion hypermiler who routinely gets over 50 miles per gallon from his 2005 Honda Accord--more than twice its EPA rating. His suggestions include: parking so that you can pull forward instead of wasting gas backing up; following the speed limit; not accelerating too quickly; using cruise control when possible; turning off the engine if you're going to idle for more than 10 seconds; keeping your tires inflated to their maximum recommended pressure; and, if you're going on a series of errands, driving to the farthest destination first, which will warm your engine to its most efficient temperature.
Matt's View
True hypermilers also never overspend on gas. To find gas stations that sell fuel the cheapest, they use web sites like GasBuddy.com or the AAA Motor Club's site (Go here and then click on "Fuel Price Finder"). If you're on the road, you can even text message GasBuddy.com with the city and state or zip code where you are and you'll get a message back with the five lowest priced gas stations in the area.
Managing Money by The Book
- "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'" - 2 Corinthians 12:7-9
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