The last few days have been a reminder of just how fragile the global fuel supply chain really is. “Tensions” across the Middle East have flared again, with strikes on fuel depots and infrastructure dragging the region back into the headlines. Stir in the ongoing disruption around the Strait of Hormuz (that narrow stretch of water off Iran where a large proportion of the world’s oil has to squeeze through) and it’s no surprise the markets have gone into a spin.
Crude prices jumped sharply today, briefly surging to $119.50 per barrel, its highest level since the summer after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. The knock‑on effect for UK drivers is depressingly predictable. When the barrel price surges, the forecourts follow. As always, they are quick to rise and very slow to fall; most of us have been here enough times to know the pattern.
With crude prices rocketing and global markets in a panic, the only thing we can control is how we drive. And that’s where hypermiling comes in. It’s nothing really new, just the simple, common‑sense habits that genuinely cut your fuel use without upsetting your fellow motorists.
Here are our top 5 Hypermiling Tips.
1. Don’t drive
It sounds ridiculous coming from a site dedicated to efficient driving, but it’s the truth. The cheapest, cleanest mile is the one you never drive. Short trips are the worst offenders — cold engines, heavy wear, terrible economy. If you can walk, ride or jog, you’ll be saving before even turning the key.
2. Drive defensively
Most people think defensive driving is about safety, but it’s just as important for fuel economy. Look further ahead, leave proper space, and anticipate what’s happening rather than reacting to it. The moment you’re reacting to someone else’s poor driving, you’re burning fuel needlessly.
3. Drive Without Brakes (DWB)
Every time you hit the brakes, you’re turning fuel into heat and brake dust. Modern engines actually use zero fuel when you’re decelerating in gear, so if you lift off early and let the engine braking do the work, you’re effectively travelling for free. It’s one of the most overlooked hypermiling techniques.
4. Slow down
Speed is the silent killer of fuel economy. Aerodynamic drag ramps up fast, and dropping your cruising speed by around 20mph can improve your MPG by up to 45 percent. You don’t need to crawl, just keep the speeds down and your efficiency up.
5. Drafting
Drafting has been part of motorsport since the early days — tucking in behind another car to let them punch a hole through the air for you.
But the principle still works. Sitting a sensible distance behind another vehicle reduces your aerodynamic drag and can give your MPG a noticeable lift.
The key is the two‑second rule. Pick a marker, count two seconds from when the car ahead passes it, and make sure you’re not any closer. In bad weather or heavy traffic, give yourself even more room. Done properly, it’s a safe, simple way to take advantage of cleaner airflow without putting anyone at risk.
Hypermiling should be second nature
We can’t control what’s going on in the Middle East, but what we can control is how much fuel we burn day‑to‑day. Hypermiling isn’t magic, it’s just common sense, applied consistently, and it genuinely takes the sting out of filling your tank.
Those are our top five, but every driver has their own little tricks and routines that make a difference. If you’ve got a fuel‑saving habit that’s worked for you — big or small — drop it in the comments below.
