Quote:
Originally Posted by jmaryt
key is to get into "overdrive" (6th gear) as quickly as possible,WITHOUT
lugging the engine.generally somewhere around 35,or 40 should do it on most cars. this is where your best (m.p.g.) will be realized.
'sometimes" keeping the car in "direct drive" (one to one) "5th" will give better (m.p.g.),than ANY power gear,however it's 'still"
best to drive in 6th most of the time if conditions allow.
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This. If I'm just cruising or in traffic I like to keep it below 2,000rpm. It really makes a huge difference. It is also helpful to accelerate at a brisk pace to get up to speed then maintain it there (Road & Track wrote an article on how to get good mileage a while back and this tip does make a difference).
Beyond that I try to coast, or leave it in gear as long as possible to either use no gas or very little. It also helps to read the traffic lights so you know how much to accelerate/coast. Using all those tips I've been able to drive up to 12,000 feet hit up windy roads/city driving and still get 415 miles to the tank averaging 38mpg on the tank.