subject: Learn How Knowing Instant Gas Mileage Helps Hypermiling Efforts & Your Family Budget [print this page] Learn How Knowing Instant Gas Mileage Helps Hypermiling Efforts & Your Family Budget
Knowing your instant, or "real-time" gas mileage, the mileage you're getting at any particular point in time, can definitely help you get better overall gas mileage, and consequently improve the status of your family and household budget. We're talking here about an element of hypermiling, which is all about how to save gas money and exceed your car's EPA MPG, or miles per gallon, rating.You may regularly calculate your tank-to-tank gas mileage, which is a great way to keep track of your long-term gas saving efforts. This information is not, however, a "real-time" indication of your gas mileage. When I say "real-time" I mean, "What is my gas mileage right now, as I'm flooring it to pass this truck?" or "What is my gas mileage right now, as I'm accelerating more moderately from this red light compared to the last red light when I really hit it hard?" Knowing your real-time gas mileage can truly take your good intentions to the level of excellent results in saving gas and help you improve mileage. If you're really serious about maximizing your gas mileage, even without planning to go beyond basic hypermiling techniques, you must look at a gauge, right now as you're driving, and see what gas mileage your car is getting at that instant in time. Luckily, that type of information is not just for jet pilots or Formula 1 race drivers -- the technology is available to all of us now!There are several options available for you to consider. You can do some research online, or do as I did -- check with your mechanic, your local Pep Boys, or another auto parts store. They'll know exactly what you're talking about, can help you find what you need, and can also install it for you.For vehicles built prior to 1995 or ones that still use a carburetor, you might have to resort to using a vacuum gauge. This will not directly show your gas consumption, but it will show you how hard your engine is working, giving you a good indication of real-time gas usage. I remember in the 1960's my father installed a vacuum gauge on our 1956 Ford station wagon. Even when gas was only $.25 per gallon, he was interested in maximizing gas mileage. I learned about using a gas record notebook from him. He calculated gas mileage with every tank he pumped -- a very good personal finance role model, indeed.Newer vehicles can benefit from an instant consumption fuel-economy computer like the ScanGauge (you can find this gauge at scangauge.com.) This instrument can be moved from vehicle to vehicle and will record various trip information and data in addition to giving you an instant read-out of your immediate gas mileage, as you're driving. While an instrument like this can cost around $170, the initial expense can be worth while, as using it consistently can save you hundreds of dollars every year.Consciously using other gas-conserving driving techniques plus the instant feedback from a fuel-economy computer could easily net you an extra ten percent in gas mileage, and maybe make it possible for you to exceed EPA MPG estimates for your vehicle.I hope this information has put you on the right track to considering what you can do to increase your gas mileage, improve your personal finances and help to protect your precious family financial resources!
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