| Owners of hybrid cars are taking the plunge | | | | indicates that energy use has stabilized. |
| for those of us still driving the regular | | | | When this tactic is used properly, it is |
| gas-only engine cars. Although they are | | | | possible to double or triple your mileage. |
| getting some perks for having these electric | | | | This process takes a little time to get used |
| gas hybrids, they still want to improve their | | | | to but is probably a lot easier than driving |
| gas mileage. In fact, although some drivers | | | | a manual transmission or parallel parking. |
| have reported much better gas mileage than | | | | |
| they had with their regular cars, they are | | | | Another top tip for saving on gas mileage |
| finding that their expectations have not been | | | | will be a little harder to hear. The key is |
| met quite the way they imagined they would | | | | to take the rushing around out of driving. |
| be. In these cases, some hybrid owners have | | | | Slowing down and driving at the speed limit |
| actually made it something of a game to try | | | | for a change is one of the best ways to save |
| and get better and better mileage. | | | | on gas. Although this tip might require some |
| | | | organization and lifestyle changes, it will |
| It appears that the expectations are high | | | | also save you the most money. A dime saved |
| with hybrids. Some models of hybrids are | | | | on every gallon is the estimate by energy |
| getting in the 60 mpg range for cities and | | | | agencies when you stay slow and steady. A |
| highways. For some owners, however, the | | | | hybrid, or any car for that matter, does not |
| expectations are not being met because | | | | like a lot of stop and go, either. Luckily, |
| regular consumers are not driving like a | | | | driving a little slower will give you more |
| trained tester. Experts on hybrid cars and | | | | opportunities to see which lane will keep you |
| driving in general are trying to consult with | | | | from slowing down up ahead, so hopefully, you |
| the owners to show them that the mileage | | | | will not need to make a lot of sudden stops. |
| guides were not deceiving them after all. | | | | Keep in mind the word "glide" as much as |
| After some workshops done with hybrid | | | | possible. This will keep you from having to |
| drivers, owners have reported much better | | | | continually accelerate and break to get where |
| mileage after taking advice from the experts. | | | | you are going. When drivers get into that |
| The added bonus from mileage tips for | | | | mode, they also tend to speed to get out of |
| hybrids is that they also work for those of | | | | whatever cluster they are in and get into |
| us who have not yet been able to make the | | | | more accidents on top of that. Accelerating |
| switch over to these mileage makers. | | | | to get through a yellow light may save you 15 |
| | | | seconds, but it will not save you any mileage |
| For certain hybrid cars, the term "pulse and | | | | on your hybrid. |
| glide" is becoming popular. This basically | | | | |
| translates to finding the zone with the | | | | One of the other top tips for adding mileage |
| hybrid where energy use leveled off between | | | | to your hybrid is to pay a little more |
| the electric and gas engines. Lexus and | | | | attention to your tire pressure. |
| Toyota get to claim use of the pulse and | | | | Under-inflated tires can reduce the mileage |
| glide which is best found when driving | | | | performance on a hybrid by at least 10%. |
| somewhere between 30 to 40 miles per hour. | | | | This is large enough of a number to inspire a |
| Getting into this mode requires a little bit | | | | trip to the auto shop for a tire pressure |
| of fancy foot work which involves gradually | | | | gauge. The trick is to stay just under the |
| getting to the speed (within the 30's to 40's | | | | maximum recommended tire pressure and make |
| range) which you want, and then once there, | | | | sure that you are checking the pressure once |
| pressing quickly on the gas pedal. After | | | | or week. Slow tires make a car drag, so let |
| this quick press, a Toyota or Lexus hybrid | | | | your hybrid become the super-mileage maker |
| driver will get a clean screen on their | | | | that they aim to be by making a note on the |
| dashboard which shows all black arrows. This | | | | calendar to check them. |