# Mythbusters - hypermiling episode. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 13, 2013, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942 "2013-06-13T23:47:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942/1 "2013-06-13T23:47:21Z")
They also did the myth about 2 fat cops protecting a guy in the middle from a car wreck. I knew right away getting pancaked between two three hundred pound dudes wouldn’t end well. Hypermiling - it seemed like nearly all these techniques are a extreme road hazard. Whats the point of saving a few gallons of gas if you wreck your car? Or wear out a starter ($300 repair at least) turning off the engine at red lights? One ticket running stop signs would cost at least $200. Wiping out any gas savings. I don’t get hypermiling at all. Also the Mythbusters busted the myth you could double gas mileage. driving 45 mph. They had people honking and flipping off the Mythbusters. Not braking - Kerri was sailing through some of those curves. A bit scary. Turning off the motor at Red lights - thats a great way to get rear ended. Coasting through stop signs - illegal (Mythbusters didn’t test this one) Removing the outside mirror - also possibly illegal in some states? MB’s took off the passenger side mirror. No AC and windows up - just plain sadistic. Who wants to get drenched in sweat driving to work? ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942/2 "2013-06-14T00:42:27Z")
What’s hypermiling? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942/3 "2013-06-14T00:45:50Z")
[Hypermiling.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy-efficient_driving) > [@](#): > > Techniques used to improve fuel economy range from simple coasting to complex pulse and glide with the extreme case being drafting. > > Some fuel economy techniques has come under fire from several quarters due to claims of dangerous or unlawful behavior by some drivers, such as tailgating larger vehicles on freeways to save fuel. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942/4 "2013-06-14T02:03:46Z")
Click and Clack said, re open windows vs air conditioning if you’re driving under 45 mph, roll the windows down. If you’re going faster, turn on the AC and crank the windows up. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942/5 "2013-06-14T14:23:10Z")
People aren’t watching Mythbusters anymore? I was hoping the move back to Wed would bring everyone back. I hated the change to Sunday and stopped watching that season. I was hoping the hypermiling episode would save me some gas and money. But I’m not endangering my life by driving 45mph in a 65mph zone. Nor am I foolishly turning off my engine at a stop light. Rear end collisions are devastating and can easily result in whiplash injuries. I often drive 58mph in a 65 to save fuel. Avoid rapid accelerations, hard braking. That help my mileage. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942/6 "2013-06-14T14:28:08Z")
I thought it was interesting that they established that some of these techniques will really improve your mileage, but no, they didn’t seem remotely worth the trouble, discomfort, and the time they would add to your trips. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942/7 "2013-06-14T14:29:06Z")
How does keeping your engine running prevent you being rear-ended at a red light? You’re stopped either way. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942/8 "2013-06-14T14:32:27Z")
That critical 15 second delay in restarting your engine can get you rear ended. People are watching the light. Not your car. The expectation is to go when the light turns. Then the other drivers have a half second to realize the guy in front isn’t moving and they have to hit their brakes. One mistake in a long line of cars creates a pile up. Yes the guy that rear ended you is in the wrong. But a neck brace isn’t something I want to wear. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942/9 "2013-06-14T14:35:16Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > How does keeping your engine running prevent you being rear-ended at a red light? You’re stopped either way. Everybody else is stepping on the accelerator and you have to take longer because you’re starting your car and then trying to accelerate. That might increase your chances of getting rear-ended. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942/10 "2013-06-14T14:45:46Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Click and Clack said, re open windows vs air conditioning if you’re driving under 45 mph, roll the windows down. If you’re going faster, turn on the AC and crank the windows up. I don’t have air conditioning, so don’t have a choice. I do notice that front windows open/rear windows closed is noisier and more turbulent, while opening all four windows in a four-door is quieter and less turbulent, so intuitively I assume it saves gas over the front windows only open configuration, but I’ve never tested it to be sure. Rear windows only open makes a real obnoxious noise that distracts you from the heat. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942/11 "2013-06-14T14:50:49Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > That critical 15 second delay in restarting your engine can get you rear ended. People are watching the light. Not your car. The expectation is to go when the light turns. Then the other drivers have a half second to realize the guy in front isn’t moving and they have to hit their brakes. One mistake in a long line of cars creates a pile up. > > Yes the guy that rear ended you is in the wrong. But a neck brace isn’t something I want to wear. > [@Marley23](#): > > Everybody else is stepping on the accelerator and you have to take longer because you’re starting your car and then trying to accelerate. That might increase your chances of getting rear-ended. Right, I thought of that. But fifteen seconds? What kind of jalopy takes that long to start? And I don’t know about anyone else, but when a red light turns green I don’t just stomp on the gas. I wait until the car in front of me starts to go, then I go. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942/12 "2013-06-14T14:56:09Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > I don’t have air conditioning, so don’t have a choice. I do notice that front windows open/rear windows closed is noisier and more turbulent, while opening all four windows in a four-door is quieter and less turbulent, so intuitively I assume it saves gas over the front windows only open configuration, but I’ve never tested it to be sure. > > Rear windows only open makes a real obnoxious noise that distracts you from the heat. As an aside, on my four door Hyundai (and on other four door cars I’ve owned) if you open only the rear windows (or is it just the front ones? Can’t remember right now) you get that god-awful “thrumming” sensation/noise going on. Is there a name for that and what causes it? In some cars it can be almost painful. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942/13 "2013-06-14T14:58:30Z")
I don’t stomp on the gas either. But I do take my foot off the brake when the light changes and get ready to accelerate. If the car ahead is stalled then I have to brake again. \ We covered defensive driving in school. Trying to flow seamlessly through traffic. Not too fast because that results in lane changes and passing. Or too slow because it frustrates drivers and they may do something stupid like an abrupt lane change and then swerve in front of you. I find driving 58mph in a 65 is just about right. I rarely accelerate to pass anyone and I’m still driving fast enough not to get flipped off. 😉 It does help my mileage and only adds a few minutes to the commute, ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942/14 "2013-06-14T15:00:26Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > People are watching the light. Not your car. I’m watching the car in front, but I appear to be the only one of y’all that is. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942/15 "2013-06-14T15:02:02Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Right, I thought of that. **But fifteen seconds? What kind of jalopy takes that long to start?** And I don’t know about anyone else, but when a red light turns green I don’t just stomp on the gas. I wait until the car in front of me starts to go, then I go. See light change. Shift to Park or Neutral. Reach for key. Start car. Shift to Drive. Foot off brake to gas pedal. Accelerate very s-l-o-w-l-y. ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942/16 "2013-06-14T15:07:09Z")
One would think they were already in Park as part of turning the car off. 15 seconds is a very, very long time. I was surprised by just how much gas they saved in the episode, but I’m not willing to do all that on a daily basis. I did notice that I was driving less aggressively overall this morning after watching the episode last night. Maybe I’ll see a 10% improvement? ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942/17 "2013-06-14T15:09:19Z")
I think you’ve misunderstood the point of hypermiling. It is not “techniques for normal people to use to get better gas mileage.” Rather, it’s “a hobby for people who have nothing better to do.” Spend some time on [the Ecomodder forums](http://ecomodder.com/) and you’ll see how nutty these people are. For example, [this couple](http://jalopnik.com/393539/hypermiling-couple-sets-world-record-with-90-mpg-drive-around-australian-coast) set a record awhile back by circumnavigating Australia at 30 mph. Normal people don’t do stuff like that. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942/18 "2013-06-14T15:11:13Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I’m watching the car in front, but I appear to be the only one of y’all that is. 🙂 If everyone watched the light there would be a _lot_ more rear endings than there already are. Ironically, the most danger you’d be in would be from another coasting hypermiler who doesn’t want to apply the brakes unnecessarily and is assuming that you will accelerate quicker. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942/19 "2013-06-14T15:13:14Z")
> [@JSexton](#): > > One would think they were already in Park as part of turning the car off. 15 seconds is a very, very long time. :smack::smack::smack: I also think it would take a hypermiler longer simply because they’re not in any particular hurry. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942/20 "2013-06-14T15:20:05Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > I think you’ve misunderstood the point of hypermiling. It is not “techniques for normal people to use to get better gas mileage.” Rather, it’s “a hobby for people who have nothing better to do.” I think that’s pretty clear from the episode. If you put yourself through this kind of trouble just to conserve gas, you’re definitely doing it for its own sake, not for any kind of convenience. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mythbusters-hypermiling-episode/660942.md?page=2)