10/03/2026
10 Easy Tips To Reduce Fuel Usage - HYPERMILING!
Since the start of the Iran War over a week ago, petrol and diesel prices have skyrocketed. In some places in Oz, diesel can not even be purchased. In my local petrol station, prices for E10 have gone from $1.475 up to $1.977 per litre. Other than Costco (where you need to have a membership and have to wait in long lines) this is one of the best priced petrol stations in Sydney.
With such high fuel prices, if you can avoid driving, then doing so if probably a good financial decision. But if like most people you are dependent on your car, then a very good idea is to make that petrol last that little bit longer. The means to do that is hypermiling. Nothing difficult, nothing fancy. Here are 10 hypermiling techniques to help you save fuel as much as possible!
1) Clean out your car - Systematically go through your car, your boot, glove box, under your seats, in the door storage and remove all excess items. You may be surprised how much random clutter their might be lying around! Of course, leave behind safety items (like spare wheel, basic tools and first aid) and beyond that, perhaps an umbrella and 1L of clean water for emergencies. Everything else, take it. Here is an image of all the extra stuff I had in my car: 16.2kg removed!
2) Remove unnecessary vehicle accessories - If you easily removable accessories, remove them. The best examples are roof racks (which reduces weight and drag) and your tow hitch (which removes weight). Have a serious think about how often you use those accessories, and you'll probably find that the little bit of work it takes to reinstall them when you need them will not be much of an inconvenience. It may be different if those accessories are on a work vehicle, were you attach a trailer or load a ladder ever week, but if it is about one a month, then consider removing those accessories until need.
3) Clean the outside of your car - This is far more important if your care gets mudded up or you drive on dirt roads. The weight and loss of your cars aerodynamicity does make a difference. Keep it reasonably clean on a regular basis.
4) Pump up your tyres to specs - Make sure your tires are pump up to their proper pressure, and perhaps a little over (not more than 1 extra PSI). This does reduce fuel usage as it reduces tyre drag when the vehicle is rolling; which is almost all the time whilst you drive.
5) Maintain your car - If your vehicle is giving off any smoke as you drive, this is a no-brainer. The smoke make be unused fuel, or incomplete combustion. Service your car to have it running as efficiently as possible. At a minimum, run fuel additive to clean out an excess carbon or oil from your engine. If you have a service due soon, have it early to get the benefits right now!
6) Stop driving aggressively - This one will easily improve fuel economy for you by 5 to 10%. The main pointers to reduce fuel consumption are to:
a) Accelerate slowly and gradually;
b) Do not accelerate towards traffic, red lights or a stop signs. Take your foot off the accelerator and cruise towards the stop;
c) When going downhill, let gravity do the work for you. If you drive a manual, remember to just put it in neutral;
d) If another driver is driving aggressively, just let him go. It's his fuel the he is wasting in doing so. Do make it your as well!
In short, every time your are breaking (in a regular, non-hybrid or non-EV car), you are wasting fuel.
7) Use cruise control - Particularly if you car has adaptive cruise control, use it. Your speed will be far more steady and if there is a car in front of you, they will be breaking the wind for you on the highway. It is unbelievable how much fuel that saves (see the MythBusters test on this one!).
8) Avoid opening windows and using air conditioning - If it is hot, you might need it for reasonable comfort, but if you can live without either then do it. Air conditioning uses quite a bit of energy (fuel). Likewise opening the windows, though it does not use fuel directly, it does increase drag and reduce driving efficiency.
9) Plan your trip - Before you enter your car, sit down and plan a balanced efficient trip. Use Google maps, and balance your trip travel time with the most eco-friendly route. Of course time equals money, but if eco trip takes 2-3 minutes longer, yet you drive 4-5 km less, then take a couple of minutes longer.
10) Carpool or even leave the car behind - Not so much a hypermiling tip, but something to keep in mind. If you can take one car instead of two, why not? Same with walking, cycling or taking public transport. If the time loss or inconvenience from any fo these things is not that great, save your fuel for tomorrow.
Good luck with your hypermiling, and share with others if you found this helpful.
