What is Thrifty-Drive?
Long time readers here at Hybrid Cars and Alt Fuels know that I have a long and wide frugal stripe running down my back and thrifty roots that stretch far back in my family lineage. So what's my Thrifty-Drive all about? Common sense, pure simple physics, and utter practicality. It's eco-driving, a mixture of economy and ecology that go hand-in-hand. Driving economically leaves a lighter ecological mark on Mama Earth, and driving with an eye toward ecology returns the bonus of economy. While Thrifty-Drive shares some ideas and tactics with hypermiling, it's a different concept and not quite as radical--to the extent that radical means somewhat daring. The common sense part is the idea of taking the time to think about what's happening on the road as you drive. It's simple really: Just pay attention and much of the nuts-and-bolts of eco-driving takes care of itself. The physics part has to deal with taking every advantage possible of gravity (coasting whenever possible) for maintaining forward motion, and friction (wind resistance and rolling resistance) to help slow down. These ideas may seem small and inconsequential, but I assure you, their combined impact on fuel economy is amazing.
- Gently accelerate before hills - Whenever I see an incline on the roadway ahead, I begin to ever so slightly and gently accelerate. This gradual build-up of momentum lets me keep a lighter foot on the throttle as I enter the hill, and as the crest nears, I can lift off the gas pedal and the energy of inertia carries me (and my car) over the peak and down the other side.
- Lift off throttle just before cresting a hill - As described in the previous technique, use inertia to your advantage. Even if it's not possible to build-up momentum before entering an incline (traffic can play havoc with the best-laid plans), and I find myself pressing on the pedal to get up the hill, I still lift as soon as possible near the peak. From this point, it works the same way--built-up energy carries me over the crest while the hardly-working engine practically idles along.
- Coast down hills and slight grades - This is sort of the reverse of building momentum to go up a hill. Whenever I get the chance, I let gravity (that mysterious and wonderful force that affects all earthbound bodies) naturally drag me and my 4000-pound car down every hill I happen upon. The beauty here is that the steeper the hill, the faster I go (and this is with my foot nowhere near the gas pedal). I mean, really, how cool is that? It's like a free ride. And as long as the road is clear of traffic ahead of me, and I 'm not seriously exceeding the speed limit, I don't dare let my foot touch the brake pedal. Of course I'm careful, and I keep a watchful eye, but I do so love that long, free coast.
- Brake only when necessary - Eliminate wasted fuel from re-accelerating. Again, this follows on the heels of the previous trick. I don't touch those brakes unless I absolutely must, and I look far down the road so that l can lift early and coast while adjusting to prevailing or developing conditions. It is a terrible waste of energy to accelerate up to speed only to have to nail the brakes and scrub off all that hard earned momentum. Worse yet? Now I have step on the gas and burn those precious drops just to get back to where I was before.
- Slow before entering a curve - I rarely, if ever, apply my brakes to set-up for entry into a curve in the road. Instead, I let friction slow me down. When I see a curve ahead, I lift off the throttle and let friction between my tires and the road surface reduce my speed. At about halfway through the arc, I gently begin to accelerate for the straight stretch ahead. If I do this just so, I never have to touch the brake pedal.
- Anticipate traffic flow and traffic signals - When I'm on familiar roads, I drive in accordance with the next traffic signal or congested intersection that I'll encounter on my trek. Over the years, I've found this trick to be one of the most useful (and effective) of all. It's hard to beat the almost-magical efficiency to be found in timing smooth transitions from one set of conditions to another.
- Time merging into traffic when entering a highway - Smooth ... smooth ... smooth. If I find myself stopped at the end of a long highway merge ramp, waiting to squeeze in line, I know for sure that I screwed-up and just cost myself a good half pint of fuel. I love nothing more than to ease on down a long gentle merge lane and slip effortlessly in line with my tachometer registering just barely 2000 RPMs and the faintest wisp of fuel spraying through my injectors. Silly? Maybe. Efficient? Absolutely.
- Coast whenever possible - Oh, how I love to coast, it's almost like riding for free. I lift off the throttle early and often and just let my ride freewheel down the road as the engine spins barely above idle and a diaphanous wisp of fuel squirts from the injectors. I coast down hills, I coast up to stop signs, and I coast into parking lots. I coast ... I coast ... I coast.
- Yield the right of way to aggressive drivers - A particular pet peeve of mine, I let overly aggressive drivers pass by at the first opportunity. It's easier that way. If I let them recklessly harangue and cajole me from behind, I find myself driving in an unsafe and inefficient way as well. It's better that I let them by; I smile and wave--as they storm by in hasty frustration--letting them waste their own fuel on their way to going nowhere fast.
- Don't drive while hungry, angry or tired - Often easier said than done, I admit. Aside from the obvious safety issues, these conditions/emotions don't exactly promote patience and gentleness. If you can induce yourself into a Zen-like blissful state, great ... but me? I just do my best to avoid these situations--I grab a ham and cheese sandwich, count to ten or catch a twenty-minute power nap.
So there you have it, yes, another top ten list to read and ignore. But I promise you this, friends, these tips and tricks work. I routinely beat EPA estimates by 15 or 20 percent in every vehicle I drive by simply applying my Thrifty-Drive eco-driving techniques.
Gasoline ain't cheap--how much do you want to save?