We’ve all been stuck behind a car that is moving too slowly for our approval. At first thought, you might think the driver’s an octogenarian coming home from his weekly trip to the supermarket. But then you get a closer look and find out the motorist is thirty-ish and perfectly able to go the speed limit and beyond. If this is the case, you’ve probably had an encounter with a “hypermiler.”

Hypermiling is the act of going to great lengths to save fuel. And when I say great lengths, I don’t just mean combining all of your errands into one day or any of those other basic fuel-saving techniques. Hypermilers are much more dedicated than that. By definition, these drivers try to get more gas mileage from their vehicles than the EPA’s estimated ratings.

This practice first gained prominence during World War II, when gas rationing went into effect. It gained even more popularity during the 1970 gas crisis when Reader’s Digest published a list of suggestions so drivers could become hypermilers themselves. But today, hypermiling is all the rage among drivers with fuel prices dangerously skirting four bucks a gallon.

You might think hypermilers are consumers who only drive regular cars. But that’s not true. Many hypermilers also drive hybrids. In fact, there is a competition each year in which hybrid owners compete on certain routes to see who can get the best average gas mileage. The contest is called Hybridfest MPG Challenge, and last year’s winner achieved an amazing average of 180 mpg!

Tomorrow, we’re going to take a look at some of the safe (and not-so-safe) techniques that hypermilers use to increase their gas mileage. This multi-part series might just make a hypermiler out of you, too, because you can try some of these tactics with your certified Ford and see how much longer you can make a gallon of fuel last.

For new, used, or certified Fords, please visit our Ford dealers in St. Louis or our Ford dealers in Waterloo, IL.