King of Gas Mileage

Wayne Gerdes is a chamion driver. We're not talking Nascar, Formula 1, or stock cars. No, Wayne holds the title of Most Fuel-Efficient Driver in the World.

Wayne routinely gets (are you ready for this?) 59 miles per gallon in a standard Honda Accord!

The way he does it reveals his obsessive nature. Kids, don't try some of this stuff at home.

For example, her might draft a semi at 65 miles an hour with his engine off. He also "rides without brakes," i.e. drives the car as if it didn't have brakes. That means gently coasting to a stop when necessary.

Additionally, he employs a technique called d-fas: draft-as·sis·ted forced au·to stop. That means popping his car into neutral and coasting with the engine off.

Some states have outlawed the practice, because it can mean the loss of power brakes and power steering.

Well, I have news for you. I have a stretch on my drive to work where I can coast for 1 1/4 miles, using zero gasoline, in my 1992 Tercel. And it has neither power brakes nor power steering. So it's perfectly safe.

Read the fascinating story about this slightly crazed gas saver at Mother Jones:

Click here

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