With gas and diesel prices as high as they are, some people are doing just about everything they can to squeeze a few more miles out of a tank of gas. Maybe you're one of these Hyper-Milers or maybe you've been caught driving behind one of them either here in Sioux Falls or along I-90 or I-29 or one of our state highways. So, what is a hypermiler? Here you go.

First of all, here's the description: the practice of making adjustments to a vehicle or using driving techniques that will maximize the vehicle's fuel economy.

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Here are a few of the things you can do, to officially become a hypermiler.

Roll up your windows. Windows down equals additional wind drag on your ride. Sorry Rover, bring that nose in, Daddy has miles to make!

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Use Cruise Control. No, not that kind, but the one on your steering column. Use it, given when driving in town. Almost all the time, using your cruise control is much more efficient than trying it yourself. Hypermilers also suggest driving barefoot to have a 'better feel' for the accelerator and the feel for the power plant.

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Empty the Trunk. Extra weight equals lower mileage. Keep your ride light and efficient.

Keep an eye on the traffic and traffic lights. Hypermilers rarely use their breaks. If you see someone gradually decelerating and you see a stop sign 4 blocks ahead, you might be following a hypermiler. You can tell because you most likely will never see a brake light come on. (hey, it saves on brakes on your vehicle too)

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Some 'overinflate' their tires. This can be dangerous, especially as the weather becomes hotter and isn't suggested. BUT, make sure you have your tires aired up to their maximum pressure for maximum mileage.

Have you ever noticed that colder weather equals lower mileage? Some put a piece of cardboard in front of their radiator for in-town driving. (remember to take it off if you're taking a trip down the highway so you don't overheat.

Play the hills. Riding with my Dad in the truck growing up I noticed that he would hit the gas going down the hills and try to play the roll-up, with less acceleration heading up the hills. That along with coasting to stop signs and staying off the breaks is key. The goal is to not stop. Starting up again requires additional fuel.

Slow Down, but Not Too Slow. Driving 70mph instead of 55mph can cost a 17% loss in fuel economy.

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These are just a few of the suggestions. What about you? Are you a hypermiler, or a hyper, let's just get going and a 'get there faster driver'? I'd love to hear from you. Oh, and thank you for hitting the 'share button' on this story. Daddy needs pageviews for, you guessed it, gas money.

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BEER BOREDOM BUSTERS

20 Years of Gas Prices' Ups and Downs

'Gas prices: giving us something to talk about with our coworkers for 20 years.' I don't remember where I first heard it, but that's the perfect way to describe all the pointless complaining sessions we all have taken part in over the years.

I don't much attention to the price of gas. Admittedly I do not work in a field that directly relies on equipment that takes gallons and gallons of gas. But, as an average car driver, I'm just going to pay whatever it costs. 

It's not that I don't care, I just know I don't have a choice. I'm going to need gas, so I'm going to pay whatever they charge. Kids gotta get to school and I gotta get to work. The only real choice is to drive or not to drive. Walking the ten-mile round trip to work every day is impractical, especially during one of South Dakota's patented six-month winters. 

Besides being low-key annoying, complaining about the price of gas is dumb because I remember things. Like that the price of gas has been up and down for at least 20 years. 2021 is no better or worse than 2003. It takes at least $40 to fill my tank this year just like it did in 2017.

But, why not dig into the photo archives and find some proof of memory. Because news stories about gas prices are the pointless small talk of journalism, there are lots of pictures of gas station signs from the last couple of decades. 

Starting in 2000 we can see that rise and fall of gas prices in the United States. World events, natural disasters, and economic changes all affect the price. And all through those years, I paid what was charged. 

Do You Remember These 10 Crazy Snowstorms In South Dakota?

Here's some news that some South Dakotans prefer not to hear this time of year. Winter is coming. In denial? The dropping temperatures and early snowstorms out west by Deadwood speak for themselves.

Slowly but surely, people of the Sioux Empire are bracing for colder weather and snow-covered roads. Even though snow will soon be gracing the Sioux Empire with its presence, some snow showers will not compare to these ten dreadful snowstorms that hit South Dakota.

Only In Your State highlights these ten snowstorms in South Dakota as a reminder for people to always be aware of the roads during the winter. These South Dakotan winters can be harsh, which is why it is always a good idea to plan ahead and prepare for the worst.

Do you remember any major snowstorms that hit South Dakota?

Results-Townsquare Media Sioux Falls Most Read South Dakota Stories of 2021

The end of the year is the natural time to take a look back at what has happened over the last 12 months.

Here at Results-Townsquare Media Sioux Falls, our websites and radio stations cover everything from local news stories to weather updates to business openings and closings to entertainment features to unique and interesting things you never even knew existed in and around Sioux Falls, South Dakota, northwest Iowa, and southwest Minnesota.

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From all of us here at Results-Townsquare Media Sioux Falls thank you for making us part of your life in 2021, and we look forward to a great 2022 with you.

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