Hybrid Car Review

Tips on how to get even better at fuel economy in a hybrid courtesy of a story in the MercuryNews and a seminar hosted by AAA.

Basics tips to get better mileage:

1. Don't race at 80 mph.
2. Windows up.
3. Air conditioning off.
4. Use your cruise control (if you can). Driving at a steady speed can really make a difference.
   

Hybrid* Tips to getting better mileage:

1. When starting from a dead stop, do it with zip.
2. When accelerating while in motion, lightly apply your foot to the pedal and then take it off to put the car in gliding mode.
3. Remove your shoes.
4. Stay out of the stop-and-go slow lane
5. Check those tires every couple of weeks. Improperly inflated tires can really hurt the mileage. (Most hypermilers overinflate their tires)
6. Learn not to coast to a stop. Gently apply the brakes in order to regenerate the battery.

* The Hybrid Tips come from a common misperception most drivers have when it comes to driving a hybrid. The trick is, driving on just the battery alone can be harmful to your overall fuel economy. Yes, really. Read that again if you have to. Running on the battery alone can be harmful in the long run. If you sap all the energy out of your battery (and absent regenerative braking) the engine has to replace that energy, while at the same time powering your drive.

Other Basic Tips on how to save money on gas.