What is hypermiling? BCAA specialist on how to save money at the fuel pump
As historic prices at the pumps hurt budgets and change summer plans, the British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) says there are ways to save when you drive, through a practice called "hypermiling."
“Hypermiling is the practice of trying to get every mile or kilometre out of a gas of tank,” says BCAA automotive specialist Josh Smythe. “Trying to get as much out of it as you can in order to be cost-effective.”
Since the price of gasoline topped $2 per litre on Vancouver Island in March, drivers have been especially looking for relief.
“They’re extremely high,” says Stewart Russell. “Too high. And it’s hard to afford.”
He figures he’s paying an extra $50 a month on fuel.
“We certainly aren’t going camping this year,” says another motorist, Brandon Paxton. “And I’m not going to visit friends that live up-island.”
To maximize fuel efficiency behind the wheel, Smythe starts with the condition of the vehicle.
“A well-serviced vehicle is an efficiently operating vehicle,” he says.
For example, Smythe suggests keeping up to date on oil changes and making sure you’re watching your vehicle’s tire pressure – and following the recommended PSI marked on the vehicle.
“Adding more air to your tire will not benefit you,” says Smythe. “There’s a micro-level of fuel savings in regard to that but what little you might save – you’re going to end up spending on prematurely worn tires, replacing your tires sooner than they need to be.”
Then it comes down to the driver.
“Driving style and your habits driving play a huge part in your fuel economy,” he says.
Smythe says strive for slow accelerations, take down any roof racks or canopies when you can, and consider using telemetrics, or the driving information on your dashboard, to compare routes.
For Smythe, the longer route between home and work, which takes him onto a highway, is the most cost-effective.
“I save more fuel because I’m not in stop and go traffic. I’m not idling at lights. And I can stay in the sweet spot of about 85 km/h to get where I’m going,” he says.
As for how much you’ll save, the automotive specialist can’t say. Everyone’s position is unique with the duration of trips and their distance factoring into the equation.
“These savings [are] over time,” he adds. “A penny earned type thing is a dollar in time.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
"It's a bit of a complicated pattern; we've got a lot going on," said Jennifer Smith of the Meteorological Service of Canada in an interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. "[As is] typical with weather, all of these things are related."