Gerdes Responds to “Hypermiling” Warnings

As a homeschooler, especially as an unschooler, I know the sting of one freak family giving us all a bad name. I understand the stance of Wayne Gerdes, hypermiling guru and owner of CleanMPG.com, who released a statement refuting the recent advice of AAA on dangerous hypermiling techniques. But his main complaint isn’t about the safety of these things, but that they aren’t techniques informed hypermilers practice in the first place.

I can sympathize but I also know these things are among advice promoted by average Joe drivers. Drafting was a popular recommendation even way back in the stone age when I was a new driver. Overinflating your tires – past the manufacturer’s max inflation pressure – is a real technique promoted by some people who do consider themselves informed. And pulse and glide driving really is something you have to be knowledgeable on to be safe.

Had AAA used a different heading, “Dangerous Driving Techniques for Saving Gas” for instance, I don’t know if Gerdes would have had such a problem with it. Having coined the term, he has every reason in the world to be upset with people using it to push their own agenda, to hold back progress or justify people driving less vs. attempting to change their ways. From his statement, AAA refused to talk with him or include information in their statement against practices to distance things like tailgating as a practice apart from hypermiling. (Can I get a Boo Hiss Boo? One more reason to go with Better World Club.)

Gerdes promotes safer, slower driving techniques, and helps people develop the finer techniques of getting more out of their gasoline. Keys are concentrating on the road, and taking changes slow so you master them before moving on. Safety is widely discussed at the site, and on the forums, so anyone interested in learning safer driving skills for saving on gas should definitely check it out.

Source: CleanMPG.com