I drive from Houston to Austin a lot and lately I’ve been practicing better driving techniques (read: going slower) to cut down on gas costs. However, some people take these practices a bit too seriously.
Hypermilers - drivers who exceed the EPA estimated fuel efficiency of their vehicles by modifying their driving habits.
Nempimania - an obsession with getting the best fuel economy possible from a hybrid car.
Reading over the wikipedia page for hypermilers, you’ll quickly start to see some rather outlandish ways these people try to save a few gallons of gas:
Draft-assisted forced stop: a variation of the forced (auto)stop (sometimes abbreviated as D-FAS), involves turning off the engine and gliding in neutral while drafting a larger vehicle, in order to take advantage of the reduced wind resistance in its immediate wake (This practice is illegal in some areas due to its danger); while tailgating itself is inherently risky, the danger of collision is increased with D-FAS as hydraulic power for power brakes is used up after a few applications of the brake pedal, and there is a loss of hydraulic pressure that provides power steering, however, there is less need for power steering at high speed.
I can accept the concept of a hypermiler. Reluctantly. But nempimania? Even the very word “nempimania” makes me want to slap myself. If you drive a hybrid car, then you’re already a douche bag by most people’s standards (it’s true). However, compounding that fact by driving 55mph while drafting 18 wheelers and calling yourself a nempimaniac? You’ve officially reached the pinnacle of douche-baggery: The Tyrannical Douche Bag.
0 Responses to “Hypermilers and Nempimania…”