Hypermiling

Earlier in this blog I mentioned my Homda Jazz car and the fuel consumption figures attainable from the petrol fuelled motor.
In my recent trips made over the 300 kilometers between my work in Paris and Brittany where I manage a small property development company I have been using some easy to learn techniques to improve milage.
First, I try to accelerate gently and to get into top gear as soon as road speed permits the engine to work smoothly. On the Jazz this can be as slow as 40 KmH on the flat.
Secondly, I try to drive without using brakes. This means guessing distances and momentum to allow me to roll to a stop or to slow in traffic naturally.
Thirdly I coast where possible. Downhill is free! Coasting in neutral to save the clutch too.
Fourthly, I switch off the engine where possible. When coasting I switch off and restart just by selecting fifth gear. At lights I hit the key to start.
Lastly I check tyre pressures and keep them set right. I think that overinflating would damage tyres enough to offset the savings of careful driving.
As a consequence on a run this weekend I obtained 4.5 litres per 100 kilometers. I fit the drive in the time predicted by the GPS. Not slowly and hitting the limit on motorway stretches. That means 62.77 milled per gallon from a petrol engined non hybrid family car.