To save gas and fuel costs, increase fuel economy and improve your mpg rating, professional drivers don’t just drive efficiently and effectively. They also take the time and effort to plan and think ahead to anticipate what’s on the road and how they can get there quickly but with good safety and driving style, plus good or even better fuel economy. This is especially true when driving uphill and on hilly roads. Today, with the high and ever increasing prices of gasoline and diesel fuels, almost all drivers seem to always drive towards greater economies and cost reductions when on the road.
First, except in the most extreme driving circumstances, never accelerate while going up a hill. You’ll no doubt use gas like it’s on fire to get a few more miles off the ground. Think if unnecessary acceleration is a waste on a level road, imagine how lean it is when fighting gravity.
If you drive a heavy car or truck, especially one with an automatic transmission (as opposed to a manual or standard transmission), don’t push your way up the hill. Gradually press the accelerator pedal to maintain momentum, but remember not to accelerate. Automatic transmissions tend to “lock up” and generally become more efficient at higher speeds. Therefore, it is worth going up a little faster than in the case of a manual transmission.
Then learn not to approach a hill with more initial velocity than you need to maintain momentum on your way up. Also, do not put your foot down in an impossible attempt to maintain speed on a very steep grade. If a hill starts to win the momentum contest, take it as a matter of course. Take your time. Ultimately, you can’t win against the great powers of nature and gravity.
Finally, one piece of advice professional drivers offer is that if you drive a small car, allow your vehicle’s speed to slow slightly as you climb rather than speed up or even hold it constant. They hold the accelerator pedal steady as they go. If the vehicle has a manual transmission, they perform the same task and the final effect is by downshifting if necessary. Even if the engine seems to be roaring under load and wasting fuel, in reality your power plant is running at a much more efficient load and load gear factor. In both cases, once you get to the top of the hill, you can gain speed and save energy on the way down. The power of gravity has now become your friend and companion.
In the end, driving professionals advise that it’s all about planning your trip on the road. Stay ahead so you can plan and react to both road conditions and other traffic on the road or highway you’re driving. Pleasant drives and good gas mileage await you on hilly and mountain roads.