Tag Archives: fuel saving tips

Pennine train company’s Hypermiling trains save 10m litres of fuel

27 July, 2011   Karl   No comments

Pennine hypermiling train Pennine train company’s Hypermiling trains save 10m litres of fuelNorth England Train operator First TransPennine Express has reported that its “Eco-Mode” initiative has saved in excess of 10 million litres of diesel worth £5m since its introduction four years ago.

The Eco-mode “Hypermiling technique” prompts drivers to cut off up to two of their locomotive’s three engines when “coasting” on downhill stretches between Huddersfield and Marsden.

The green thinking train company is using the saved fuel to powers the company’s smaller fleet of two-carriage trains. The initiative has proved to be both a cost cutting and environmental success

It just proves that pretty much anything with an engine can be “Hypermiled”
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Hypermiling all the way to the bank

21 June, 2011   Karl   No comments

Hypermiling has never been easy.

My wife moans that I drive too slow, turns on the AC when the sun makes even the most brief appearances and generally picks at my fuel saving efforts. What she doesn’t see is the huge savings I make for our family, allowing us enjoy the finer things in life like trips to the South of France and Legoland.

Since the start of the year I’ve been working to hard to maximise my use of Hypermiling. This includes:

  • Creating a rigorous maintenance schedule for my car
  • Lift sharing with a colleague
  • Biking and walking where possible
  • Cutting non essential trips

Over a year I would guesstimate that I’m travelling 5000 miles less and for those miles I do travel, saving about 25% by Hypermiling. That works out to be over £1000 in fuel alone.

Bear in mind that I don’t have a particularly fuel efficient car, running a petrol 2001 Volvo V40 estate is hardly glamorous. Savings can be made no matter what car you have, you just have to be prepared to change your driving habits.

Hypermiling might not be sexy or impress the wife but I’m hooked.

 

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Our Weekly Hypermiling Tip #3: Drive without brakes (DWB)

22 March, 2011   Karl   No comments

20090903 towing brake 320x240 rb 300x225 Our Weekly Hypermiling Tip #3: Drive without brakes (DWB)Hypermiling and fuel saving tips have been bouncing around the media of late and this technique is one that’s not considered by most. Driving without brakes isn’t quite what you would think.

Every time you brake you effectively turn fuel into heat & brake dust, wasting the energy you have consumed to get your car up to speed in the first place.

DWB is simply adapting your driving style so you minimize the use of your anchors. In order to achieve this we would suggest you do the following:

  • Keep a good distance away from the car in front of you
  • Choose a route that has the minimum number of junctions and stops

When slowing down, if you opt to simply to reduce or release the accelerator you let engine braking do the work and use little or no fuel while doing so. If you can also maintain as much speed as “safely” possible you also reduce the amount of energy needed to get back up to speed.

This technique is at the heart of every Hypermiler and was also recently recommended on TopGear by the main man JC himself.

This is only a very small part of hypermiling, see our Hypermiling Techniques page for more ways to save money at the pumps. Can you afford not to?

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Hypermiler.co.uk in the Sunday Times

20 March, 2011   Karl   No comments

hypermiler in sunday times1 Hypermiler.co.uk in the Sunday Times

As fuel prices hit record highs around the world, interest in fuel saving tips and techniques has rocketed. Protests and broken government promises have been futile in bringing down fuel duty so motorists are taking the matter into their own hands.

We have been fortunate enough to be featured in the Sunday Times who’s artcle discussed fuel save measures motorists are tuning to in order to help fight fuel prices.

Don’t take their word for it, see our Hypermiling Techniques page and see how you can save up to 40% on your fuel bill without resorting to “drice offs”

Click for the Sunday Times article in PDF format.

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Our top 5 Fuel saving (Hypermiling) tips

17 January, 2011   Karl   No comments
fuel theif Our top 5 Fuel saving (Hypermiling) tips

Spend less at the pumps with our top 5 fuel saving tips

There are hundreds of websites offering general fuel saving tips however many miss the very best way of saving 100% of your fuel, simply don’t use your car if its not essential.

The vast majority of our journeys are very short and in fact its only convenience and our sheer laziness that’s stopping us from walking or using some other form of transport. Saving on fuel is not the only upside to this, regular exercise is highly beneficial and a great way to stay in shape.

If you really do need to you use your car then why not follow our top 5 fuel saving Hypermiling tips.

  • 1. Drive defensively. Anticipate the road ahead. By driving “reactively” You effectively hand control over your fuel consumption (and safety) to other drivers. Look well ahead so you’re aware of what you’re driving into and can anticipate changes before they occur. And in order to be able to see well ahead, you need to leave adequate following distance to the vehicle(s) in front of you.
  • 2. Drive without brakes. Every time you brake you effectively turn fuel into heat & brake dust. This type of deceleration maximises use of our cars stored momentum.
  • 3. Slow down! The faster you go the more drag and resistance is placed upon your trusty steed. A reduction of 20mph can increase your MPG by unto 45 percent.
  • 4. Coasting. Shutting the engine down when stopped or while coasting up to stops/turns is one of the main reasons for hybrid vehicles’ excellent city fuel consumption. We would not ever suggest coasting with the engine off but simply remove your foot from the accelerator when approaching a junction or red light. A modern engine uses no fuel at all when costing in gear.
  • 5. Drive like you would ride a bike When you’re using pedal power you try and conserve energy – your energy. You do this without even realising. As you would on a bike, coast down hills and also if you are coming up to a hill, drop a gear. You might wipe some speed off but you will be applying less throttle and thus be using less fuel
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