Man, I used to be a stupid driver.

[Jims5543]

I have vowed to take it easy driving the work truck, even more than before, I am getting 23 MPG out of my 2006 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 with a 4 cyl engine. I am seeing if I can improve that with more changes to my driving style.

I do almost all city driving with the truck and I get 23 MPG, but I just decided to start trying to anticipate more, leaving more room out in front of me, as soon as I see a light way up ahead turn red, I begin coasting to it instead of racing to it to stop.

The funny part is all the cars racing past me, mind you, I am not driving under the speed limit cruising at it or 5 MPH under it when I see a light change. Others are going by at 70 in a 45 just to slam on their brakes and get their spot in line.

I was delighted as quite a few times today I was able to roll up to a light eventually slowing down to 25 mph as I approach and the traffic has begun to move and I am able to add speed slowly and get back up to 45 from 25 instead of 0.

What I am getting a kick out of is that I can see myself tearing by to stop at the red light, that was my old style. I now see how silly I was being.

I am looking forward to seeing if I can hit 25 MPG with this truck.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Did you buy the hypermiler hat or t-shirt?

[HardDrive]

I think your speed should be reasonably close to that of the flow of traffic. Personally I think you are endangering people by driving a radically different speed than the rest.

Just my 2 pence.

[IROC]

I took one tank of gas a couple of years ago and drove my 2001 Toyota DoubleCab as easy as I could. I only got about 1 mpg more than I usually get. I usually get a little over 19 mpg (combined city/hwy) and I got a little over 20 out of that tank. Not much difference. I think 20mpg would be about max out of my truck. I think it's rated at 16/19 though.

I got 25 mpg out of the 911 on the last tank (I check my mileage every tank). Close to the best ever!

[The Gaijin]

Hopefully driving in a sane manner is not radically different, but it may very well be.. Stay to the right and set a good example. Good for you.

I was on a two lane country highway yesterday - two cars ahead slams on the brakes and pulls over because they see a farm stand. The SUV behind them slams on their brakes.....I am next and I can slow easier as I have left some distance. The f&*king F-350 behind me? Yes, right on my bumper casting a shadow.. I hate bad driving/drivers. This is the s*#t cops should go after..

[URY914]

I remember years ago in Car & Driver they had a picture of a gas pedal with an egg between the pedal and the driver's foot.

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I think your speed should be reasonably close to that of the flow of traffic. Personally I think you are endangering people by driving a radically different speed than the rest.

Just my 2 pence.

I think people should not do 70 in a 45 on a 6 lane road with lots of side roads and traffic lights but what are you going to do. The speed limit is 45 I do it. Its not the interstate its a surface road.

I actually laughed a few times at big pick up trucks and SUVs doing 70 plus as they flew by me just to slam on their brakes a hundred yards later to stop hard for the red light, but they got there first and thats all that matters.

I am not endangering myself or anyone else, I was actually surprised to see many driving like me, maybe some are catching on.

I drive really easy in the work truck anyway, if you push it hard it gets 15MPG and its not worth it just to trim 15 minutes of driving off my day.

[Dave L]

I drive on the freeway alot, 3 hours today. What always amazes me is how people are constantly speeding up, slowing down and braking all the time. I calmly follow a good distance behind at a constant speed watching as they tailgate and adjust their speed. I can go most of the trip (1.5hr) with out ever touching the brakes.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I think your speed should be reasonably close to that of the flow of traffic. Personally I think you are endangering people by driving a radically different speed than the rest.

Just my 2 pence.

I would say the folks at almost double the limit are the ones that are dangerous

My Father taught me that on the interstate, you should never need to use your brakes, just let off the gas and follow at a reasonable distance

[Porsche-O-Phile]

You can get a ticket for impeding traffic here.

Revenue, revenue, revenue. . .

[911boost]

I agree, I drive 60 miles each way to work on the interstate, I can usually go almost the whole time without using my brakes. You just anticipate and slow down. In foul weather (cold, rain, snow, etc.) I drive my 2001 Tahoe to work. While I don't like to, since I have the Harley and the 911 turbo, it just doesn't make sense for me to buy a commuter.

I recently put all new plugs in it (92,000 miles), and did a couple of other small things, and I got 19 mpg. I did have some city driving mixed in there, so I think if I try, i can get 20mpg out of it, not bad for the 5.3L and that big car. This is before all of the cylinder deactivation technology as well, just driving like a sane person.

Bill

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

You can get a ticket for impeding traffic here.

Revenue, revenue, revenue. . .

not for going the speed limit, only if you are under too much

[Porsche-O-Phile]

That is true.

Although consider the example where the posted speed limit is 55, everyone on the road is doing 80 and you're doing 50. Who's posing the greatest hazard?

I'm not sure what the exact statue is they could cite you under, but if I know anything about this state and CHP, they have one and wouldn't hesitate to use it if it meant $$$ coming in. . .

No matter what one does, there's a way for the state to make $$$ off it.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by The Gaijin

Hopefully driving in a sane manner is not radically different, but it may very well be.. Stay to the right and set a good example. Good for you.

I was on a two lane country highway yesterday - two cars ahead slams on the brakes and pulls over because they see a farm stand. The SUV behind them slams on their brakes.....I am next and I can slow easier as I have left some distance. The f&*king F-350 behind me? Yes, right on my bumper casting a shadow.. I hate bad driving/drivers. This is the s*#t cops should go after..

I usually have enough room like you did. However, I like to over brake and then watch the panic in my rear view mirror. If necessary, I lift off the brake pedal a bit to give the a-hole some room before he/she hits me or goes off the road.

[masraum]

For the gadget guys who are playing with driving technique to improve mileage, you may want to get a scangauge.

It's a useful tool, and provides some interesting real-time gauges including a pseudo-real-time fuel mileage gauge. I think it updates every 2-5 seconds or something like that. If you want to see how your right foot affects your mileage, and get some other useful stuff too, then this is the gadget for you.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by milt

I usually have enough room like you did. However, I like to over brake and then watch the panic in my rear view mirror. If necessary, I lift off the brake pedal a bit to give the a-hole some room before he/she hits me or goes off the road.

I do the same thing, I brake early and slightly hard (not brake-checking). It usually gets folks attention. I've never been rear-ended, and never rear-ended anyone else.

[Moses]

Originally Posted by Jim Cesiro

I have vowed to take it easy driving the work truck ...

I give it two weeks. Tops.

[Jims5543]

Wrong Moses.

I have been honoring this vow sinc eI started going back out in the field again, 2 years running.


At one point I stopped going out and had hired back a guy, in one week the truck went from getting consistent 22-23 MPG to 16 MPG. In one week.

I tore the guy a new one asking how a truck gets 7 MPG less just because he is driving it, then answered my own question telling him to stop beating on what is not his own.

He last 2 more months and I fired him. His poor driving habits echoed his poor attitude in general.

[scottmandue]

Used to be a stupid driver?

HA!

Try passing on the left, trying to double the speed limit, jumping curbs, driving with one leg out the window...

I must say, I got 90,000 miles out of my last car on the OEM brake pads... I have mellowed a bit.

[Dave L]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

trying to double the speed limit,

TRYING??? Pfttt.