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