Extreme Measures to Increase Gas Mileage Not Recommended

Tahoe Daily

The high price of gasoline is prompting some drivers to turn to dangerous driving techniques to try to improve their gas mileage, according to AAA Nevada.

The practices, known as "hypermiling," include turning off a vehicle's engine or coasting in neutral, tailgating or drafting larger vehicles, and rolling through stop signs, the motor club said.

"Although trying to conserve fuel is a positive goal, 'hypermiling' is a dangerous way to try to achieve that objective," Michael Geeser, spokesman for AAA Nevada, said in a statement. "Unfortunately, some drivers use extreme and sometimes illegal techniques that put themselves, their families and other drivers in danger."

California Highway Patrol officers also are discouraging hypermiling techniques - especially turning off a car's engine while it is moving. Doing so cuts off the vehicle's power steering and brakes, officers noted.

"That's just stupidity. You have no control over your vehicle," said CHP spokeswoman Tammy DuTemple.

Officer Steve Skeen, spokesman for the CHP's Truckee office, said he didn't have any firsthand knowledge of drivers using hypermiling techniques. But an officer will regard hazardous driving the same way whether the driver is doing it to save gas or not.

"If we see someone tailgating or drafting a big rig, they're going to get a ticket for following too close," Skeen said.

AAA Nevada offers the following tips for improving gas mileage safely:

-- Check tire pressure at least once a month and inflate tires to the standards listed in the owner's manual. Fuel efficiency is reduced by up to 2 percent for every pound of pressure tires are underinflated. But the hypermiling practice of overinflating tires is not recommended, because it makes tires more susceptible to damage and causes poor handling.

-- Accelerate and brake smoothly.

-- Use cruise control to maintain a steady speed.