Quote:
Originally Posted by runbikerun
I'll start with upping my tire pressure a couple psi.
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That is the place to start. I've been running sidewall max (44 psi on my tires) for a year/25,000 miles now with no issues. Personally, the tire pressure alone (44psi vs the recommended 32psi) makes a almost 5 mpg difference in my car when using identical driving techniques. YMMV, of course.
Every little bit helps. When I get into the car, I put on my seatbelt, lower the windows if needed, make certain that everything is where I need it, and
then start the car. It gets about 2 seconds of idle time and then it goes in gear. At traffic lights, I downshift if necessary to slow the car without braking, and try to keep from stopping altogether.
Keeping engine rpms down, driving like you have no brakes, not using A/C (and keeping the windows rolled almost all the way up) and generally just careful driving should bump it over the 40mpg mark. I find that the slowest I can reliably keep my '08 Base AT in 5th gear is at 50 mph or 55 mph when the engine/trans are still cold. Any slower, and it tends to want to shift into 4th.