Auto FE - It's all about driving style

[101mpg]

One more - Neutral at stoplights. Many people with automatics forget this one. Note my MPG % above EPA and you'll see it does help.

[OokiiMamoru]

Originally Posted by 101mpg

One more - Neutral at stoplights. Many people with automatics forget this one. Note my MPG % above EPA and you'll see it does help.

I've not really noticed a difference in RPM in Drive or neutral while at a stop light. I normally flux between 575 and 625 in both. In fact in neutral it takes longer to drop below the 600 line. Of course the car has always been an odd duck.

1989 Caddilac El

[Beelzebubba]

My parents have an '07 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4x2 V6 with Towing Package. The reason I mention the Towing Package is because it changes the Axle Ratio from 3.55 (standard) to 3.73. The purpose is to provide a little extra pull from a stop to help get the weight of both the SUV and the weight it's towing in motion. To the best of my knowledge, a changed axle or possibly gear ratios are often part of similar Towing or Heavy-Duty packages that many mid- and full-size SUVs may have.

When it's not towing anything, my parents will never tow with this vehicle, the benefit is that it feels a little snappier off the line. The negative- a bit more fuel consumption.

My mom drives this vehicle 90% of the time and she has never managed to break 16MPG average. Miraculously, I can coax 19+MPG out of it when I drive it for a while.

I finally rode along with her a few days ago and observed her driving- she always seemed to be lightly coasting or very lightly acclerating. A while on the accelerator, then a while off of it....I found the culprit! I also took her on a 10-mile stint on the expressway with her driving in one direction (16.6mpg) at approx. 70mph and then I drove the 10-miles back with the cruise control set at 70mph. I topped 20mpg, but just by a hair- 20.1mpg.

It was an eye opener for both of us...and I can't believe I'd never noticed her erratic accelerator foot before (I needed a Dramamine after a few miles)...then again, I avoid being her passenger whenever possible. =)