Rolayne Fairclough has NO mechanical knowledge as related to automobile mechanics. The term "wear and tear" is a ridiculous one.

If cars really "wore and tore" they wouldn't last more than a few miles. The parts of an engine do wear slowly over long mileages but are designed to last thousands and thousands of cycles.

Turning off, then starting your engine, is no significant stress on a vehicle. I have a mid-eighties Toyota with nearly 200,000 miles on it which is using the original starter. I sometimes turn the engine off at long traffic lights.

Most of the hypermiling techniques are worthwhile. I don't tailgate, or speed. I try to go with the flow. I get 31 mpg in city only driving.

I use Redline SI-1 Fuel System Cleaner and Mobil 1 Synthetic motor oil. NGK is the best spark plug for mileage. Otherwise my car is stock.

I guess I'm not impressing anyone with a shiny black Escalade, but I get around just fine.

Yea, why don't they reduce the speed limit to 55 mph? I started going 55 on the freeway (Yes I stay in the slow lane) and get an extra tank of gas to and from work. (Orem to Salt Lake) That was 2 years ago when KSL news reported going above 60 mph and your gas mpg starts going down. If we are suppose to start conserving why don't they reduce the speed limit???

Hypermiling or increasing gas mileage these drivers have to remember that others are not practicing this type of driveing and it can cause problems with their own vehicle as well. First of all never turn off the engine while in motion as you loose steering, brakes, ABS, and traction controls. Putting vehicles in neutral going down long or steep hills is also dangerous, the engine aids in slowing vehicle speed and reduces overheating the brakes. Putting an automatic in neutral at stops reduces gas usage also as the engine is fighting transmission torques and adding fuel to keep the idle speed at predetermined RPM's. Law enforcement could do more to make drivers obey the speed limits and driving reckless on the freeways. Another gas saver is proper vehicle maintenance at regular intervals. There is no such thing as a maintenance free vehicle that can be driven years without maintenance. Running out of gas is a serious no-no and should be avoided as it strains the fuel pumps that rely on fuel to keep them from overheating. Fuel pump replacement runs $500+ to $2500+ to replace. You need to factor driving safely and maintenance costs to save money.

the idea of hypermiling is fine, but the techniques seem to range from silly to dangerous, depending on the situation. Please be prepared to go when the light turns.

I think it is sad that with my 1994 Honda Accord I can get 34 miles to the gallon. Why in the world have we not made any significant improvements since 1994? To get this mileage I just drive the speed limit.

The person who posted above about their mid-80's Toyota has less understanding of cars than they claim the writer of the article does.

Of course cars experience wear and tear. Just because your starter has lasted for an exceptionally long time doesn't mean it's okay for everybody to keep turning the car on and off all the time.

If you're that confident that there's no wear and tear on mechanical components how about running a test ... just sit in your car and start and restart in your driveway a couple of thousand times and see what happens.

We have enough idiots obstructing the flow of traffic already. The last thing we need is an article encouraging more.

Dude - You are lucky to still be alive going 55 on I 15 even in the slow lane If the speed limits were redcued to 55 every one would still go 70

Dude,

If economy doesn't START to decline until you hit 60 mph then why don't you at least go 60 or 65 and quit being a hazard to the rest of us? Also, if you will recall, we had a 55 mph speed limit back in the 80's and it didn't do squat to save the world's economy or even improve traffic safety.

Having said that, I am not opposed to some of these hypermiling techniques. In fact, I've been doing it for years in one form or another and didn't realize until now what it was called. Sensible driving habits get me 33 mpg in my Buick Park Avenue.

That's not hypermiling. It's using good, simple fuel-efficient driving technique. Hypermiling is described fairly well in the article, and it's usually done by someone who's willing to put others' safety at risk to satisfy their own ego.

I'd be happy if the law-enforcement actually enforced the 65 legal speed LIMIT. I am used to being scowled at for driving legally.......and do not feel obligated to go into the far right lane to do so. (And with so many different highway configurations and on-ramps, the idea of the "far right lane" is rather difficult to defend just to give at least two-thirds of the public highway to those who consistently and selfishly break the law. But I would like to think our law-makers would be sensible and courageous enough to lower the limit to 55......$marter and $afer for all. And would make it easier for the police and highway patrol to ticket those who insist they have the right to go at least 10 mph over the LIMIT. (I still would like to know where this false impression originated and why it is tolerated.)

And to think my 81 VW diesel rabbit still works well and gets 54mpg regularly. Costs less to insure, gets a new paint job every 5-6 years, has 400,000 miles on the original engine and drives well. Why can't we get European diesel vehicles here? VW diesel pickup from Europe is what I would like. Fuel mileage in the 60mpg range. VW Polo gets 70+mpg. One Diesel British sports car gets 50mpg under 100mph and has a top speed near 230mph. Big Mercedes diesels top 40mpg.
We don't have those vehicles here yet Europe is 70% diesel. What is wrong with the US?

James in St. George - If your Buick Park Avenue consistantly get 33 mpg on the highway then I am very impressed. That is not much different from a Toyota Corolla. Years ago, I had a Chevy Vega with a re-built stock engine and drove it from SLC to Chicago. Going across Wyoming, Nebraska and Iowa, I averaged phenominal mileage at 60 mph. I thought I had died and went to "Car Mileage Heaven". Returning, my mileage was the pits. What happened??? Goign to Chicago, I had a 40+ mph tailwind helping to cut my wind resistance. Returing, I had a 40+ mph headwind that drove down my mileage. My average both directions was about 25 mph.

All,
I have a 97 Hyundai Accent. It has 125000 miles on it. Recently I invested 2000 dollars on the car. I did 2 things: Put a cold air intake on the car. Upgraded the exhaust. I also started using the Mobil 1 Advanced Synthetic Oil, (the 15000 mile stuff.) and changed out my auto transmission fluid to the synthetic stuff as well. I drive the speed limit, 65, and out of my 10 gallon take I got 550 miles!!! Compared to 300 miles. I have more power and torque now as well. So the question that I have is why are the car manufactures not doing these easily implemented, cost effective upgrades to all new vehicles? The only down side is that the car is a little louder. (you remove the air silencer to install the cold air intake.) These upgrades wouldn’t really change the cost of a new car and it would upgrade the fuel mileage about 50%. We also could start to implement these changes tomorrow, Not have to wait 50 years for technology to catch up.

My top ten recommendations for better fuel econony:

1. Properly tune/lube your vehicle's engine.
2. Proper tire inflation using radial tires.
3. Wheels should be properly aligned.
4. Don't buy/drive more vehicle (bigger) than you

realistically need.
5. Don't haul around junk in the trunk. Take out

that extra weight.
6. Smooth and even starts and stops are best.
7. Anticipate lights and adjust your speed

accordingly.
8. Turn your engine off if you are going to be

idiling for more than 30 seconds.
9. Keep windows rolled up at highway speeds, and

yes, you can use your AC in moderation.
10. If you are 10 lbs., 20 lbs., 50 lbs., or 100+

lbs. overweight, work to drop that weight.

Your vehicle's engine (and your heart) will not

have to work as hard to get you around. Also,

you will spend less time wasting gas in

fastfood drive thru lanes, and probably

improve your health at the same time.

Turning off and on your engine once in a while at a long stoplight saves a lot of gas. For every 1 minute you are idling, your car can burn up to 1/5 of a gallon of gas. In a 30 MPG car that is 6 miles you just burned off your car's MPG.

Some stoplights are 2 minutes long.

And, if you only do it at the longest lights, and maybe only one or two times per commute, you are saving a good amount of gas, and your "wear and tear" as the AAA person talked about, is minimal (if there even is any to begin with). I tend to think it really doesn't matter. I have a Honda Civic 1994, and have never replaced the starter. How many times do you think I've started and turned off the car since it was made? We turn our cars off and on all the time. One or two more times per commute will do nothing to the car.

So, shut it off at long stoplights and we will save some gas and some pollution too.

I can vouch for James' Park Avenue mileage: A couple of weeks ago my wife and I drove to Seattle in our Buick Century. We averaged just under 33 mpg for the entire trip, and that includes having the air conditioning on for most of the drive through southern Idaho and eastern Oregon.

Last year I drove to Idaho in the spring without using the air conditioning. I got about 35 mpg on that trip.

The GM 3.1 L is a pretty efficient engine.

To Honda @ 7:11,

Regarding why gas mileage has not improved since 1994 (in fact, it's gotten worse. Our 2007 fuel economy was actually 1.2 mpg LOWER than in 1981.). The answer is, somewhere during the era of cheap gas, we decided that a car had to be an "experience", not just a tool to get you from point A to point B. Case in point: The 2007 Honda Accord has better acceleration than any 70's muscle car.

Maybe the current (and I believe permanent) gas crisis will force us to re-examine our priorities about what a car really is. It's a tool, not a toy.

To Gary Moore: We have enough idiots driving over the posted speed limit and weaving in and out of traffic already. The last thing we need are comments encouraging more.

Since when is the AAA in control of the roads!? If I want to coast into my driveway or when getting off the freeway IT'S STILL A FREE COUNTRY! I'm not a hypermiler or anything like that but when I hear of some special interest group that is trying to control me, that raises my fists for a fight. Looks like we're one step closer to having "Governmental Monitoring devices" installed in every single one of our cars so they can just mail us a ticket?! Can you say Socialism or even Communism?

Be clear on your transportation needs. I live in an area with less snow than most. Many of my neighbors drive 4 wheel drive vehicles, and never off-road. They get lower mileage, greater wear on tires, and even in snow the value of 4x4 mostly disappears once you get moving. I get 5 MPG more than a family member that drives the same vehicle but has optional 4 wheel drive. He admits that he has a flexible schedule and drives in the snow only 3-4 times per year.

The reason car companies haven't done everything in their power to improve fuel consumption is the same reason electrical device manufacturers have done little to provide energy efficient devices - they don't pay for the energy to run the device and few customers have based their buying decision on how efficient the device uses power.

Now that the cost of energy (especially gasoline) has gone up considerably, the average consumer is going to start asking "how much power does this thing use?" and make their purchasing decision based largely on the answer. Once that happens, we will start to see lots more energy efficient devices (including cars).

Driving slower than traffic is as dangerous statistically as driving faster than traffic.

1/5 of a gallon of gas per minute? No way. Maybe 1/5 of a gallon per hour.

I've always driven four cylinders. It gives me the freedom to drive aggresively and enjoyably. I'm almost 50 and haven't caused an accident since I was a teenager.

So buy a small car. If you feel brave use a scooter/motorcycle or bicycle. I love bicycling, but I'm scared to do it on the roadway. On the other hand I ride a 150cc Yamaha scooter on nice days and get 75mpg and will go 55 mph. It's a little risky too, but a lot of fun.

Probably the biggest gas saver not mentioned; consolidate trips and share rides.

As much as we dislike the high price of gas, the majority of Americans refuse to change their driving habits.

We still drive too fast, sit and idle for long periods of time, make unnecessary trips, refuse to carpool, and drive bigger, more powerful vehicles than we need.

The tide is slowly turning, but it will probably take sustained $5 gasoline before good driving habits replace bad ones for the average driver.

I'm fine with doing my part in reducing fuel consumption in a safe and common sense manner. But, I have some gripes I need to share:

1. I agree with Mahonri and James - why can't the U.S. manufactures implement these upgrades NOW? They have the technology! There's only one answer, they're in bed with "big oil".

2. Fix the stupid traffic lights! We've all experienced long and unnecessary delays.

I don't get why it is suddenly so hard for car makers to build more efficient vehicles. My family had a 1982 Chevy Celebrity with a 4.3 liter diesel engine that ROUTINELY got over 40 mpg. Later our 1990 Lumina (2.5L 4-cyl) and 1990 Bonneville (3.8L V6) always averaged in the mid-30s. If they could make large cars with good milage 20-30 years ago, why can't they even make small cars like that now? I admit that we lived in a rural area, where the majority of driving was under ideal conditions (moderate speeds, few stops), but the newer cars can't do it. My parents still live in the same place, have similar driving habits, but can't get eh milage they used to driving similar cars.
We drove that Bonneville almost 300k miles before my brother gave it away...

The biggest single waste of gas is starting from a dead stop, such as a stop sign. As long as the coast is clear then keep it rolling.

Look both ways and save the planet!!!!

Please confine your hyper-miling experiments to the slow lane.

The fast lane needs to remain open for people who would rather sacrifice gas mileage than the profit lost by spending too much time in traffic.

My best advice: keep up with the car in front of you.

Going slower than the flow of traffic can get you ticketed if you are not in the right lane. Want to impress everyone with "hypermiling", then move right.

And I know semi-drivers who drop ball bearing out the window if they have a car tailgating - it is unsafe both ways.

While your self-righteous attitude is cute and endearing, one statement baffles me. You said, "I am used to being scowled at for driving legally.....and do not feel obligated to go into the far right lane to do so." If you check the laws of the land, you'll find that driving in ANY lane except the far right lane is illegal except for passing. Multiple passing lanes are for people passing at different speeds. Nos so that vigilantes can create a 5 lane road block. I lived in Europe for a few years. They rarely have accidents on their freeways where average speeds are around 100mph. Why? Because EVERYONE drives in the far right lane except to pass. Speed is not the danger. Grandma driving slowly trying to make a point is the danger. How much "weaving" in and out of traffic would you see if the PASSING lanes were only used for...passing? FYI...if someone passes you on the right, YOU ARE IN THE WRONG LANE!

Just move right. Be considerate and if you choose to go 65 then move over and allow those that choose not to go 65 to pass you. It is done in Europe and no one considers it an affront. I don't want to have a realationship with you, I don't want to insult you nor am I making any comment on you as a person. Please just move right and we are all happy. If you are mad that people are driving faster than you, don't take it out on us, just move to the right.

All of your comments hit the nail on the head.

To "Turn off Engine", do the math. 1/5 of a gallon for idling a 30mpg car for one minute? So idling for one minute uses the equivalent gas as driving at 60 mph (with all the wind drag) for 6 minutes at a higher RPM? Even with the increase oxygen intake at the high speed, your 1/5 of a gallon number doesn't work for a sedan. 1/5 of a gallon for idling for one minute is what about what a Semi-truck burns, not a 30mpg car.

Efficiency definitely needs to improve, but the biggest immediate gain can be had by driving much less. Without any improvement in technology, if we reduce the miles we drive by 50%, we would reduce our gas consumption by 50% as well. This is the biggest key to the gas price problem, USE LESS!

ll need to leave a little earlier

Move to the right. If you don't like all these fast-drivers tail-gating you and weaving in and out of traffic, then move to the right and take satisfaction in knowing you're getting better gas mileage than them and are less likely to get injured at the lower speed. Don't try to block them because it's more likely to create a confrontation or hazard than change their driving habits. It also puts a higher risk on your own life as you're more likely to get rear-ended.

I get a good laugh when I see people accelerate quickly when the light turns green, only to see them hit the break and stop very quickly at the next stoplight. Sometimes the rate of acceleration & deceleration is so high that I can't help but think of the wear this induces on the engine, transmission, & brake pads, in addition to all the wasted gasoline. People need to realize that they're not getting to their final destination any faster just because they are getting to each red light faster. Coasting is our friend and minimizes stop & go traffic which is more frustrating to me than driving a little slow.

Before pretend to quote a driving manual, you should probably read it.

Scan Gauges can help you figure out your driving habits that save and use more gasoline. It's a cool device many hyper milers use. Google it. You can buy off internet.

It appears you may have overstated the rate of consumption at idle... "For every 1 minute you are idling, your car can burn up to 1/5 of a gallon of gas." If that was the case, you'd burn through a typical 15 gallon tank of gas in 75 minutes by just idling, let alone cruising down the interstate on a road trip. I think it's safe to say the savings you'd achieve by shutting off your engine while idling are much less than what has been suggested.

In the early 1980s, Tucson, Arizona converted all intersections with a left turn arrow to "lagging left turn" priority. Instead of three lanes of traffic in each of four directions sitting with engines idling, waiting for a dozen cars to make left turns, the left turners sit while the through traffic goes first. Tucson also made left turns permissive on green lights. Thus, if you were making a left turn, if there was no oncoming traffic, you could make your turn. If there was oncoming traffic, you made your turn on a left arrow after the through traffic was cleared. I don't recall the precise figures, but Tucson had some research showing that pollution levels around intersections decreased measurably.

Lagging left turn signals result in fewer vehicles idling at intersections for shorter amounts of time. Two, rather than four, directions of traffic wait for the left turning vehicles. Because the left turners can turn on both the green light (if possible) and on a left arrow, more cars are able to make left turns on each cycle.

Guys, Europe has used many hypermiling tactics for decades and the safety of others has not been compromised. There are added lights at the stop lights to show if it is still worth turning your engine off and when to turn it on again so you are ready to roll when the light turns. Almost all cars in Europe are standard transmission, which would mean the majority of Americans couldn't even drive them at all. A standard transmission does use less gas, especially if you shift early. Looks like the USA is about 15-20 years behind Europe in preserving gas while driving in town, however, the Autobahn still allows to throw it all out the exhaust going 150 miles per hour. That's living...

Want to save money on gas, get out of your car and ride a bicycle. Europe has fewer major road collisions because there is a higher percentage of people using bicycles, buses, trains and other mass transit forms of transportation. I drove more than 15,000 miles one year, then I got on my bike and I drove less than 8,000 and got healthier in doing so. Plus it makes me laugh when I can take a back road easier than a car can and watch all the people stuck on the freeway that I am passing on my bike.
On the freeway, if there are 3 lanes the far right lane is not for driving in, it is for entering and exiting the freeway, the middle lane is for driving and the far left is for passing. If there are more lanes, then the middle lanes are for driving, the outside right and left are still used for entering/exiting or passing, respectively. If there are 2 lanes, drive in the right pass on the left, unless you see someone getting on, then move to the left until it is safe to get back in the right. Common sense.

James J, cold air intakes do little to nothing for many cars. Exhaust normally doesn't improve gas mileage more than 1 mpg. Your car is probably benefiting from a simple tune up more than your aftermarket parts.

Dude and others referring to the over 60 mph mileage reduction: This magical 60 mph number has no practical meaning. It is an EPA claim, but I've never been able to find a study. My optimum fuel efficiency is at 71 mph, and is 12 mpg lower at 60 than 71. All cars aren't the same aerodynamically, so wind resistance will change optimum performance from car to car.

Bob G, when was the last time you actually saw brakes overheat on a passenger vehicle? Brakes aren't going to overheat by using them a little to slow down while going down hill.

To those pumping LIMIT and chastizing the "law breakers". If you don't move right then YOU are breaking the law. You aren't the only one on the planet. Get out of the way. Have some courtesy.

The speed limit is the same for all lanes. Vehicles unable or unwilling to travel at the speed limit are required to use the right side lanes, if available. Vehicles which are traveling at the speed limit are NOT required to move out of the left lanes for those of you who feel compelled or entitled to speed. I challenge all of you to find the part of Utah Code which says that the "real" speed limit is 10 or 20 mph over that which is posted. Are you the same folks who tell your bishop (or priest at confession) that you obey the law at all times? You're not just speeders, you're also liars. "Flow of traffic" is not an excuse for speeding. If everyone slows to the speed limit, the flow of traffic will be just that, the speed limit, not 15 over.

No wonder you ride your bike, since you think the freeway has only one drivable lane... You've got it all figured out... All this time I thought the 150 foot off-ramps gave ample room to exit the freeway. I guess we need 16 miles.

Anyway, I live 6 miles from my work and would ride my bike everyday if I didn't think I'd get killed. We have about 4 bike lanes in the whole state, and most drivers don't even respect those.

For now I'll just start driving 60-65 and feel rebelious for driving in the "entering and exiting lane."

Speed limits on highways, of course, have little to do with traffic safety and much more to do with revenue generation for the government. The highways are engineered for much, much higher speeds than the posted limits. And the Utah legislature budgets on a certain amount of revenue from speeding fines.

An interesting experiment would be for everyone to drive 55 on I-15. The intended vehicle capacity of I-15 would be quickly overwhelmed. And the Utah legislature would have to raise property taxes to make up for lost revenue.

The left lane is a passing lane!! If someone's behind you, get out of the way.

Obeying the speed limit at 65 mph is one thing, but many of the other ways these people try to save money is clearly another thing -- often times illegal and dangerous. Sure, obey the law while you drive 65, but break a law while rolling through a stop sign. Just pick and choose which laws you want to keep or break. Hmmm. And tailgating is dangerous and illegal. If these crazies can't afford the gas, then stay off the road. It amazes me the lack of life some people have -- they put so much effort and energy in saving a few dollars in gas. Put that much effort and energy into your earning ability and you could achieve a whole lot more. Too bad the focus of your life revolves around gas mileage and nothing more.

Don't we try that experiment every morning and afternoon?

I don't think our highways are meant for the higher speeds seen on the autobahn, as someone previously suggested. My sister lives in Germany and explained that the autobahn is actually much thicker than highways in the US. Plus, they inspect it continually and repair any damage immediately, making it much safer to drive on.

---Vehicles which are traveling at the speed limit are NOT required to move out of the left---

Out of all the places I have lived Utah has the most problems with the left lane, and after reading some posters comments I understand why. People here dont seem to understand the concept of a passing lane. The lane is there so faster vehicles can pass slower vehicles. After the faster vehicle passes it is required BY LAW to return to the right lane. If you doubt the law then please explain all the traffic signs saying "Keep Right Except to Pass" or "Slower Traffic Keep Right"

It is amazing that in moderate traffic on i-15 there are always twice as many cars in the left lane than the other 2 or 3 lanes combined.

Left lane driving is a compulsion in utah. My BinLaw (a native Utahn) gets visibly frustrated with me if I dont get in the far left lane or carpool lane, even if the lane I am in is going faster.

It is really a strange phenomenon

It is the law of the land.

If you don't like it, remember, you are a driver, not a judge.

If you are blocking traffic in the left lane, I hope you get a ticket.

And while we are at it, when are there EVER more people in the commuter lanes than in the other lanes? 1/10th the cars, with 2.5 people per car does not translate into traffic efficiency.

Left Passing Lane is NOT Utah law.

Utah Code Title 41-6a-702. Lists all of the restrictions Utah law recognizes for the use of the "left lane" - moving to the right for faster cars is not listed.