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AutoJab comments on how the Oxford Dictionary has chosen the word “hypermiling” as word of the year.

The word came about in 2004 and it was coined by Wayne Gerdes. Hypermiling is the act of making adjustments to one’s car or one’s driving methods, adjustments geared towards maximizing fuel-efficiency and fuel economy. This entails pushing gas tanks to the limit to achieve ‘hypermileage’ that exceeds EPA ratings for miles per gallon.

Observing speed limits, steering clear of hills and avoiding congested traffic, removing unneeded cargo for lesser weight—these are just some of the methods employed by hypermilers all over the world.

I know hypermiling sometimes entails excessively stingy driving habits, which include freewheeling (dangerous!), turning off the air conditioner (uncomfortable), to using lower grade fuel (sometimes harmful to the engine).

The hypermiling movement has been criticized for its alleged promotion of driving tactics that are considered dangerous or illegal, such as overinflating tires, rolling through stop signs, and following closely behind large vehicles to cut down on wind resistance.

But I think that hypermiling should essentially mean being conscious of your driving habits such that you save on fuel. There are perhaps both good sides and bad sides to it.

Are you a hypermiler? Or do you at least try to drive with fuel efficiency in mind? Tell us how you save up on gas!