UnderdogWhen I was a teen and 20-something, every trip I took was all about getting there as quickly as possible. The longer the trip, the more critical it was that I "break a record" by doing it faster than before. And even on shorter trips, every car in front of me was a target to pass. Must drive faster!
Then I got into sports cars and performance driving in the 90's. That replaced some of that "getting there faster" with "taking the scenic route", and the "record-breaking" became the challenge of taking every curve as fast as possible... faster than before. (I won't deny that I still do this to some extent, though I usually combine it with hypermiling and/or attempting to drive with minimal use of the brakes) Must corner harder!
Then I got into hypermiling when I bought my Yaris back about 2009. Now, I suffer the curse of always trying to maximize my fuel economy. I recognize that I don't have the time or inclination to be completely nuts about it. But, I set goals for myself, and I feel defeated if I don't achieve them. Must use less fuel!
So, I've been at it pretty hard lately. I've made a few hour-long trips netting me well over 55 mpg, and my typical driving around town trip will get me 45+ if it's not too short and/or I don't get stuck stopped in traffic for too long. (I'm not turning off the engine and giving up my AC!) Pretty happy with the results. Having fun with it. Striking that balance between max fuel economy, "getting there", and not holding up traffic.
Decided to do some math to answer the question: "How much money am I actually saving doing this on a typical short trip?"
Yesterday, I drove to an autocross about an hour away. Didn't leave the house early enough to get away with not taking the Interstate, but I was early enough that I could keep my speed under 65 (speed limit was 70 for most of it), and I netted 47.1 mpg on the way there. On the return, I had plenty of time, it was 7pm, and I absolutely did not feel like dealing with I-4 traffic. So, I took the back roads, which was actually a few miles shorter. Took about 20 minutes longer. But, I got home with 57.5 mpg for that return trip. Win! I still haven't seen the elusive 60... but, getting closer. (and I haven't even jacked up my tire pressures... never turned off the engine, either... or even turned the AC off)
Today, I made a 4-ish mile trip out to dinner and back. Cold engine both times (long dinner with car guys, was there for 4 hours). On the way there, I took the most direct route and it was rush-hour. I was able to keep speeds down below 40 and didn't get held up too much. I got stopped briefly at 3 of the 6 possible traffic lights, and netted 42.7 mpg. Not horrible for such a short trip with traffic. On the way back, it was 10:30pm. I didn't want to wait at the long light to make a left turn, so I went straight (it was green) and made the next left onto a slower, but less busy 2-lane (rather than the 6-lane that would force me to drive 40-45 even at that time of night) where I could pulse-and-glide from 42>30 repeatedly. Turns out, that route was 1.4 miles longer, and took about 4 minutes longer. But, I did dodge all but one traffic light, and didn't stop for long at that one. (plus, got a great long DCFO glide approaching it) Netted 51.0 mpg on the way home. Excellent for such a short trip, I was pleased. (my goal was at least 50)
On the short trip, I used 0.10 gallons on the way there at a cost of about $0.25. On the way back, because I added 20% to the length of the trip, I used 0.11 gallons at a cost of about $0.28. So, my hypermiling on that trip, while it was fulfilling, cost me 3 cents!
Yesterday's longer trip, I used 1.19 gallons at a cost of $2.97. The return trip was 6.7 miles shorter, AND much better MPG, so I used 0.85 gallons at a cost of $2.13. My hypermiling yesterday evening saved me 84 cents! And cost me about 20 minutes on what would have been a 1-hour drive.
For kicks, I calculated what would have been my "worst case" for yesterday's trip. If I'd been running late, I could have easily shaved 10 minutes off of that trip by upping my peak speed from 65 to a "5-over" speed of 75 mph... and upping my non-highway speeds similarly. I've done this before, and anytime I get this car over 70, MPG drops below 40. Usually down around 38! So, worst case, I'd have used 1.47 gallons at a cost of $3.67.
And, of course, almost everyone who attended the autocross I was at is probably getting no more than 25 mpg, and most of them are running more expensive premium fuel. So, they would have used 2.23 gallons at a cost of $6.47.
Bottom line is that it cost me half as much as anyone else to drive to my autocross yesterday, no matter which route I took, or how fast I chose to drive, which is cool. But, really... we're only talking about $3. I'm not really doing this to save money. And I'm not going to save the planet. I just enjoy the challenge of doing it!
Just had to share this. I know some of you will understand.
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