Imagine getting instant feedback on your vehicle's miles per gallon (mpg) when accelerating, braking, coasting, or slowing down to 55 miles per hour on a roadtrip.  In a time of $4+/gallon gasoline, such feedback would likely change the way you drive your car.

Enter hypermiling, the practice of utilizing such instantaneous feedback to achieve the best mileage possible. Hypermiling got its start with hybrid vehicles, which provided instant mpg feedback, but has now transitioned to all types of vehicles.  If your current vehicle does not offer such feedback, you can buy a device, such as a Scan Gauge, which plugs directly into your vehicle's on-board diagnostics system, and has a small display that can be mounted on your dash.

A recent USA Today article provides the nine practices commonly employed by hypermilers with info on the safety and practicality of each.  Our favorite tips include 'Combining Errands' by parking once and moving between errands on foot and 'Traveling Below the 65mph Speed Limit' (remember to stay in the right lane!) which reduces wind drag, therefore improving fuel efficiency.

Have a look at the article to see which hypermiler techniques apply to your driving needs.  Alternatively, consider carpooling, car sharing, or bicycling  as a means of reducing energy use and cleaning-up transportation!