Cops: "Hypermiling" Often Risky, Illegal

AAA Agrees; Master Hypermiler Clarifies Suggested Techniques, Tells Motorists To Steer Clear Of Dangerous Maneuvers

(CBS/AP)  Police and automotive experts say over-the-top attempts by some drivers to boost their gas mileage could be endangering them and other motorists.

The AAA and Connecticut State Police are warning against extreme measures in "hypermiling," a practice in which unusual techniques are used to boost vehicles' mileage.

They include rolling through stop signs to avoid braking, turning off a car's engine or shifting into neutral to coast down hills, over-inflating tires to decrease rolling resistance against pavement, and other techniques.

One action that authorities say is particularly dangerous is called "drafting," tailgating big rigs in hopes of cutting wind resistance and being pulled along in a truck's wake.

"Every one of them is illegal," Connecticut State Police spokesman Trooper William Tate said of the "hypermiling" techniques.

"But more importantly, they're extremely dangerous. Every one of them is the cause of accidents," he said.

Most accidents on secondary roads are caused by drivers who don't obey traffic signals, such as stop signs or traffic lights, Tate said. Most highway crashes are caused by tailgating and unsafe lane changes, which are often related, he said.

"Following a tractor-trailer too closely, you don't have the ability to see beyond it as you would when following a passenger vehicle," Tate said. "You're risking your life, and the lives of motorists behind you."

On The Early Show last month, leading hypermiling advocate Wayne Gerdes extolled its virtues to, among others, CBS News correspondent Bianca Solorzano.

He stressed to Solorzano Monday that rolling through stop signs and driving right behind big rigs are NOT part of his way of hypermiling.

"What we recommend," he says, "is staying in the right hand lane, following the speed limits and, as cars go around you, they create a low pressure zone across the entire roadway, and that's called the traffic-side draft. And it does give you another 15 to 20 second boost as the lower pressure area you're coming through helps you along."

At times, says Solorzano, Gerdes does shut off his engine to coast downhill, but on his Web site, CleanMPG.com, he teaches that it's illegal in certain places. And he emphasizes that it's an advanced technique that needs to be practiced in a remote area, and that law enforcement officials continue to insist that shutting off your engine is a dangerous practice.

Police have been told to be on the lookout for hypermilers, Solorzano adds.

Fran Mayko, a spokeswoman for AAA Connecticut Motor Club, says "hypermiling" has been around for a while, but that it has drawn more attention as gas prices have jumped and drivers are seeking ways to boost their mileage.

This is the first time AAA has issued a warning about it, she said.

"These folks who are extremists, apparently they get 70, 80, 90 miles a gallon," she said.

She said drivers should stick to tried-and-true mileage boosters: keeping up with routine maintenance, ensuring tires are properly inflated, keeping unnecessary weight out of the car and driving at the posted speed limit.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, gas mileage typically decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Every 5 mph that a driver goes above 60 mph is like paying an additional 30 cents per gallon of gas, according to the government.

AAA said the average price on Saturday for regular unleaded gas nationwide was $4.07 per gallon, up $1.10 from the same time last year.

[maiingan]

I won''t shut off the engine except when I''m stopped for a freight train, but I do coast (in gear) to stop signs and red lights, and use the "no brakes" philosophy. I have no idea what my gas mileage is. I do see some cops not bothering motorists who do a "touch-and-go" at stop signs, as long as they don''t violate others'' right-of-way and are going slowly enough to be able to stop on a dime. Cops know how dangerous tailgating is, but they just don''t enforce it enough, probably because they''re too damned lazy and don''t have a simple device to detect it, like the radar guns for speeding.

[natedgrate-2009]

WHAT THIS IDIOT CALLS HYPERMILING IS NOT NEW. MY PARENTS AND MOST OF MY GENERATION THAT GREW UP IN THE 70''S AND 80''S WERE TAUGHT THIS WHEN WE WENT THROUGH THE PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS CRUNCH. MY PARENTS USED WHAT
WAS THEN COASTING. THE PROBLEM IS THAT YOUR RESEARCHERS NEGLETED TO DO THEIR WORK FOR THIS STORY

[jmbaxt]

I enjoyed this morning''s story about the hazards of going too far with hypermiling. But, the fact that some hypermilers are rolling through stop signs brings up a very important point. Far too many stop signs in the U.S. result from what amounts to local pork barrel politics, and are NOT actually required for safety, according to state warrants and USDOT guidelines. A program to remove all unnecessary stop signs (those used only to discourage speeding), which are often installed as political favors, would save us all a lot of gas.
Also, I am skeptical of the amount of gas saved with slow acceleration. Low average speeds help fuel economy, and accelerating slowly might help in that way. But, engines become more efficient at wider throttle openings (as long as you don''t wind them up too far) due to decreased pumping losses and increased effective compression. That''s why a smaller engine gets better mileage. The most effective driving may well involve moderately brisk acceleration to a sensible speed.

[loublain]

coasting in neutral downhill at the speed limit when the road is clear works.Shutting off the engine has the disadvantage in many cars of shutting off the power steering and power brakes (suicide anyone??). going 55 but no slower in the right lane on 65 mph roads. cruise control on level ground NOT up hills (too many downshifts). lots of patience!! my gas mileage improves 25 to 30 percent and I have 331K miles on my car. I''m that old f#rt you just passed but I''m saving money!

[dabsgram]

This is just another tactic some folks use to attain something for themselves, ie, a little better gas mileage. While some of these tactics may be OK, some are very dangerous. Especially risky is tailgating a big rig. Besides the fact that the tailgater cannot see around the truck, if you cannot see the truck''s rear view mirrors, it means that the trucker cannot see you and does not know you are there. Yet, if something happened because the trucker did not know he had a tailgater, the tailgater would be the first to scream about inconsiderate, dangerous truck drivers. It happens all too often.

[faith_in_w]

As I was hypermiling my Checker Aerobus over the weekend, I ran over a Del Taco. Its destroyed now and I had to use rubbing compound to take the scratch out of the fender of my Checker.

[lloydbest1]

I wonder when we will once again see the 55 MPH rule become the law of the land.

[nothappyatall]

Gerdes does shut off his engine to coast downhill"

Crazy, save 2 cents in gas and add 1,000 miles of additional wear to the engine- every time you start up the engine it is oil starved for a few seconds before the oil pressure builds up- that''s where the majority of the bearing wear happens!

You also put extra wear on the starter and those are not cheap to replace either.

[lochlan-2009]

""Every one of them is illegal," Connecticut State Police spokesman Trooper William Tate said"

Of course, they are. This is America where just about everything is illegal

[consciousnes]

I took a short road trip this weekend running about 55 MPH most of the way and took it easy on starts and stops. This boosted my milage in my full size GMC van from 16 to 18 MPG. I know that is only about 50 more miles per tank full of gas, but it is better than nothing.

[ddaryl1]

and just think... I f American innovation actually perservered thru the 1970''s and if Ronald Reagan didn''t actually strip this countries direction into alternative fuels and energies we wouldn''t even be discussing this today...

One of the 1st things Ronald Reagan did as president was rip apart all of the green energy initiatives and directions Carter had set up in the late 1970''s during the last big oil scare...

With in a few years Reagan had everyone enjoying cheap gas and SUV''s.... With hindsight being 20/20... will we allow this ot happen again ???

[ddaryl1]

JUST SAY NO TO OFFSHORE DRILLING ...

I''m all for us drillin gour own oil... BUT WE MUST MAKE OIL COMPNAIES USE THEIR EXISITNG LEASES 1ST...

[godseyesore-2009]

Won''t be any change anywhere that will make a difference anytime soon, especially if head-in-sand repugnicans retain power.

[faith_in_w]

consciousnes, send a $12 check to Mr Cheney now you unpatriotic American!

[l8c6]

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, gas mileage typically decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Every 5 mph that a driver goes above 60 mph is like paying an additional 30 cents per gallon of gas, according to the government.


------a walk down memory lane. Ronald Reagan, Hollywood cowboy hero number one made fun of Jimmy Carter along with the other right wing neo con republican libertarians. Ronnie arrogantly boosted highway speeds and the right wing corporate/religion/government colluding hoes pushed SUVs creating a greater dependency on foreign oil in the interim. We went from 30% to 60% dependency in the years since Carter.

I guess Jimmy, the nuclear physicist was right on track 30 plus years ago and billions of barrels of wasted crude oil natural resources later.

[jumkey]

WHAT? You''re trying to save gas?

How will that stuff money in the pockets of the oil companies and the Republican Party?

IT''S ILLEGAL TO SAVE GAS!! And the Republicans will lock you up if you try to do so.

Had enough America? Like 4 more years of Bush/Republicanism? Because they WANT $10 gas - they NEED $10 gas.

If McSame is elected gas will be $10 by the end of his first year in office. It''s PLANNED.

[l8c6]

One of the 1st things Ronald Reagan did as president was rip apart all of the green energy initiatives and directions Carter had set up in the late 1970''''s during the last big oil scare...
With in a few years Reagan had everyone enjoying cheap gas and SUV''''s.... With hindsight being 20/20... will we allow this ot happen again ???

Posted by ddaryl1

I think we will. Most people are gullible sheep. How else do Christian evangelical faux prophets become multi-millionaires preaching the selective ludicrousness from the old testament they do whilst claiming to just love Jesus and conveniently ignore every other word Jesus spoke of in the new testament? These faux prophets mock Jimmy Carter because they are being paid by someone to preach a right wing corporate rhetoric that is designed to exploit to the peril of posterity and line the pockets of an extreme gluttonous minority.

The arabs opened up the pipes and made oil cheap and we went from 30% dependent on foreign oil to 60%. White men born and raised in this country have committed treason before for personal gain and the white men, the devils who have filled those corrupted seats in Washington D.C. have committed treason against the posterity and integrity of the U.S. Are they short sighted unto their own best interests? Maybe, greed is said to be blinding.

[talkingham]

Bush allowing the oil speculators to literally run wild during his watch is our biggest problem, not the terrorists funded by Bush''s Saudi buddies. It''s economic terrorism compeltely condoned by Bush. As you pay $6/gallon later this year let me know how this is affecting America. Ruining our economy is Bush''s greatest example of Mission Accomplished.

For the complete idiots on this forum who blame envirnmental initiatives as the cause of any of these problems U "people" need to crawl out of your holes and look at the Great Decider has done to this nation. He''s not an idiot. He and his father both believe in the "New World Order" where big oil and big billinaires dictate to the world what is best to keep these liars and thieves in power.

[feddupp]

"These folks who are extremists, apparently they get 70, 80, 90 miles a gallon..."

WOW!!! No WONDER these people are trying to do these stupid things--what a PAYOFF!!

Of course, common sense should tell you that NOTHING is worth risking your LIFE for--even higher gas mileage!!

[andor3]

"I guess Jimmy, the nuclear physicist was right on track 30 plus years ago and billions of barrels of wasted crude oil natural resources later. "

yes it is true--hindsight is clear and visionaries are often laughed when ahead of their time.

Reagan was the start of the downward spiral of deregulation and corporate greed continued under Bush I and II.

I think people are realizing we need to rollback to pre-Reagan to save the country. The Bushes were bad but undoing what they did is not enough.

[freckster]

I crossed Alligator Alley in the draft of a semi one time; literally nose to tail. I had no gas due to an incredibly strong headwind coming across to Miami in the morning; the trip is usually made on less than a tank of gas. It was amazing how that truck pulled me across the alley on a teaspoon of fuel. It was white knuckle all the way and I wouldn''t do it again. I would allow myself the time I didn''t have that day to refuel. I know I was lucky I made it (in so many ways).

[avenger09123]

Outstanding view of what people are doing to increase their gas mileage and how dangerous it is...but out of all the articles on any news station, you never see any articles about what cops do illegally on the roads. I understand there is an acceptable threshold to do what must be done to catch a criminal, but beyond that is criminal itself...

[dan400man]

"These folks who are extremists, apparently they get 70, 80, 90 miles a gallon..."

WOW!!! No WONDER these people are trying to do these stupid things--what a PAYOFF!!

Of course, common sense should tell you that NOTHING is worth risking your LIFE for--even higher gas mileage!!
-----------------------------------------------
Posted by feddupp at 10:54 AM : Jun 30, 2008

The 70+ MPG numbers are probably grossly overexaggerated. Kinda like they need to justify their reckless behavior, so they pad their numbers.

I also find it hard to believe that the AAA spokesperson even mentioned those numbers. You know some idiots reading her comments are going to experiment, regardless of the dire warnings in the article. What the he11 was she thinking?

[doctormark2]

There are many legal hypermiling techniques that help fuel economy greatly. A gentle foot on the accelerator and brake helps enormously. Driving ahead also helps greatly. If you are on a road with traffic lights and you see that the light ahead is read, take your foot off the gas and coast into the light. If it changes to green before you get there, you will be able to keep rolling. Even if it doesn''t, you have saved some gas by coasting in. On downhill grades take your foot off the gas. Downshift to control your speed if needed.

On the freeways keep your speed at or below the limit.

I''ve increased my mileage up to 50% using these techniques.

[doctormark2]

There are many legal hypermiling techniques that help fuel economy greatly. A gentle foot on the accelerator and brake helps enormously. Driving ahead also helps greatly. If you are on a road with traffic lights and you see that the light ahead is read, take your foot off the gas and coast into the light. If it changes to green before you get there, you will be able to keep rolling. Even if it doesn''t, you have saved some gas by coasting in. On downhill grades take your foot off the gas. Downshift to control your speed if needed.

On the freeways keep your speed at or below the limit.

I''ve increased my mileage up to 50% using these techniques.

[afmca]

I have some great ideas to increase mileage:
1. if you are on the East Coast heading north try to avoid Delaware at all costs. The stretch between the Maryland border and the NJ Turnpike is criminal. If you want to see you gas gauge heads towards E while not moving, try Delaware.
2, figure out a non-lethal way to get the wing-nut drivers out of the left lane as they drive 5 mph below the speed limit. As cars get stacked up a mile long; it sickens me to see miles of empty road ahead of these idiots with no way to get there.

If you want to drive slow either keep to the right or don''t drive on highways. Stay on the side streets.

[lorinkundert]

"According to the U.S. Department of Energy, gas mileage typically decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Every 5 mph that a driver goes above 60 mph is like paying an additional 30 cents per gallon of gas, according to the government."

Wrong, I have seen my full tank go from 300 to 355 miles per fill up by staying above 60 where my transmission overdrive is most efficient.

[barbaram99]

Ye want blame somebodies for the middle east. Then blame our leaders. They are the ones ordered it. While we are at it, drive safely and ye won''t , then walk and take the bus. I AM TIRED OF ASRES RUNNING THE WALK LIGHTS. get the cars off the roads.

[l8c6]

then do not beotch when the usa has to fight wars in the middle east per FDR and dimmy kkkarters doctrine,,,

Posted by terrorislami

You are overly simplistic. You''re stupid right wing divisiveness is you being played by special interests. The nuts you support have made us more dependent putting oil profits through over consumption ahead of common sense. Jimmy Carter wanted conservation and to reduce out dependence on foreign oil. That is not a right wing family value. The right wing is the party of greed, excess, waste and the destruction of all ideals from the american revolution.

[newview08]

This behavior is dangerous, there''s no debating it. I''ve been behind these people as they''re shifting their cars in and out of gear to coast downhill, watching them sway in the lane. I''ve seen them backing up cars twenty deep in a selfish attempt to time the green lights, making other drivers angry and more agressive behind the wheel who just want to do the speed limit. I''ve observed people nearly causing collisions trying to merge onto the freeway in rush hour traffic with the cruise control on and set to 60 MPH. And they want me to buy a small car? No chance, I want to be safe. These people are almost like debris on the streets the way they drive. The police should go after these idiots hard. If you can''t afford the fuel, park your car. Don''t endanger other people on the road.

[observer2020]

Awww...you mean that drafting a big rig is not legal? It sure does save on gas. And thanks CBS for giving me new ideas.

Anybody that had great ideas on how to improve mileage has been paid off to keep their ideas to themselves by the big companies. Just to keep the gas mileage low and as prices soar.

[summerrunner]

To Connecticut State Police and AAA - Get rid of Bush and his oil buddies and we won''t have to drive by hypermiling!

[jonathan1cas]

Hypermiling is easy and legal with the correct equipment. Get a Prius or Chvey Volt. Stopping the engine while driving, also called freewheeling, is illegal yet it is part of the operation, thus legal, on these cars.

If you like to save money, gas and insurance payments and help the American economy then look seriously at GM-volt.com

Jonathan Cassidy
I will sell my Prius to get a Volt
[e-mail]
I am an urban real estate associate broker with a bus pass in my pocket.

[magoo2u1]

"2, figure out a non-lethal way to get the wing-nut drivers out of the left lane as they drive 5 mph below the speed limit. As cars get stacked up a mile long; it sickens me to see miles of empty road ahead of these idiots with no way to get there."

READ your driver''s manual. On a US interstates ALL lanes are traffic lanes. The far left is not for passing only, they are not the autoban. Slower traffic should keep right as a courtesy. It is not a law.
If the right lane is moving 55 and I am doing 65 in a 70mph zone I''m not reducing speed to 55 so a jackass like you can get where he is going quicker. Screwe you. Getting dangerously close to my bumper will get you a visit from THE MAN ''cause I''ve called in road rage morons with my cell phone and saw the cops pull them over for it. You better obey the LAW. Not your mythology on road travel.

[terrorislami]

FASCIST NAZI TERRORISLAM IS THE PROBLEM,,,

DEMONIC-RAT HUSSEIN IS NOT THE SOLUTION,,,

[acolton1]

"Hypermiling" I do put my car in neutral to coast down long hills. On the way to work every morning there is a hill that is about 2 miles and I coast that. I have a 5 speed Honda Fit that gets 38mpg. As for turning off your engine thats dangerous because you loose Power Steerting and Power Brakes. I do

[idnnsg]

terrorislami: either comment on THIS story, or get lost!

[kemetorigin]

The far left is not for passing only, they are not the autoban. Slower traffic should keep right as a courtesy. It is not a law.
magoo2u1

Actually in some states it is against the law to hold up traffic in the left lane.

[oregondriver]

Well, Magoo, in Oregon you couldn''t be more wrong and yes I DID read the drivers manual. A copy can be found at: http://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/37.pdf

From page 60 of the Oregon Drivers Manual:

"A slowpoke on a freeway can be as dangerous as a speeder. Remember, if you drive at a speed below the flow of traffic, you must use the right lane. Freeways often have several lanes in each direction. On these roads, you should leave the extreme left lane for faster traffic. If you drive at an even speed, you will have less need to change lanes. Remember, lane-hopping any time is dangerous, annoys other drivers, increases the risk of collision, and seldom saves time. Sudden bursts of speed also waste gasoline. If you are traveling in the left lane and someone comes up behind you at a faster speed, move one lane to your right. Do not tie up traffic in the left lane."

READ your driver''''s manual. On a US interstates ALL lanes are traffic lanes. The far left is not for passing only, they are not the autoban. Slower traffic should keep right as a courtesy. It is not a law.
If the right lane is moving 55 and I am doing 65 in a 70mph zone I''''m not reducing speed to 55 so a jackass like you can get where he is going quicker. Screwe you. Getting dangerously close to my bumper will get you a visit from THE MAN ''''cause I''''ve called in road rage morons with my cell phone and saw the cops pull them over for it. You better obey the LAW. Not your mythology on road travel.

[lochlan-2009]

OregonDriver- So you''re one of those a-holes that drives in the passing lane at 10mph below the speed limit, forcing everyone behind you to pass on the right. Such a courteous driver, you wretched old men who take pleasure every time you go out of your way to mess with someone just trying to get by. Let me guess you speed up when they go to pass you on the right, too. You people suck!!! Everybody should drive as slow as you do, otherwise they''re driving to fast, huh?

[holy-joe-722]

"On The Early Show last month, leading hypermiling advocate Wayne Gerdes extolled its virtues to, among others, CBS News correspondent Bianca Solorzano. "

I wonder if CBS News or Bianca Solorzano stopped to consider the dangers when airing this story. Typical news coverage - Take NO responsibility for the content and consequences even when common sense says it''s not a safe idea.

[lochlan-2009]

Sorry Oregon, I guess it was Magoo I was talking to.

[holy-joe-722]

Oregon Driver said "On a US interstates ALL lanes are traffic lanes. The far left is not for passing only, they are not the autoban. Slower traffic should keep right as a courtesy. It is not a law."

Actually, here in Michigan, there are signs on the highways stating that when driving on a 4-lane highway (2 in each direction), you MUST use the right lane except when passing. I don''t see it enforced often, but it is a law nonetheless.

[dnamj]

Tailgating trucks is a great way to die a very gruesome death. If people want better mileage, they should just maintain their cars correctly, and minimize the *** in the trunk.

P.S. this is all so familiar from 30 years ago.

[bks59]

If you really want to reduce fuel consumption, take the bus or ride a bicycle

[oregondriver]

Oregon Driver said "On a US interstates ALL lanes are traffic lanes. The far left is not for passing only, they are not the autoban. Slower traffic should keep right as a courtesy. It is not a law."

Actually, I was responding with facts and Oregon law to a user named "Magoo" (rhymes with "Not a clue").

Once again, from page 60 of the actual Oregon Drivers manual which can be found at:

http://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/37.pdf

"A slowpoke on a freeway can be as dangerous as a speeder. Remember, if you drive at a speed below the flow of traffic, you must use the right lane. Freeways often have several lanes in each direction. On these roads, you should leave the extreme left lane for faster traffic. If you drive at an even speed, you will have less need to change lanes. Remember, lane-hopping any time is dangerous, annoys other drivers, increases the risk of collision, and seldom saves time. Sudden bursts of speed also waste gasoline. If you are traveling in the left lane and someone comes up behind you at a faster speed, move one lane to your right. Do not tie up traffic in the left lane."

[displeased]

Slower traffic should keep right as a courtesy. It is not a law."
Posted by OregonDriver

Not if there are signs in the median posted "Slower traffic keep right". Then it is a law. A driver can get a ticket for not obeying traffic signs.

[bks59]

just because there is a law that allows, or disallows, a behavior doesn''t make the action socially acceptable. In illinois where i learned to drive, "keep right except to pass" was the mantra i learned with, i think it is a good idea. just drive in the right lane, as traffic permits.

[Syndicate]

How about we get the cities to synchronize the stop lights. I should only have to hit one red light if I drive the speed limit. How about we get the roads fixed too a bumpy road takes its toll on your mileage.

[billmabie]

Cops should worry about meth heads and not about how average Joe tries to save a buck,speaking of a buck how many of your local tax dollarsgoes to local cops , and how about fine revenue??