I've driven the 06 HCH for almost a year. I've applied different techniques. My conclusion is that it's impossible to prove the effectiveness of most of the techniques, due to the fact of constantly changing variables that make up the FE equation. For example, FE could go up 2 MPG after pumping up my tires to the max. But how do I know it wasn't because of warmer temps, different driving pattern, etc. It's all theory until scientifically proven.

I'm sure my previous paragraph will be disagreed upon vehemently by the so-called experts. So before all you engineers disagree, I'm just summarizing my experience and it should be taken with a grain of salt.

Let the IMPG gauge and Trip B "train" you how to achieve the max FE possible. Reset Trip B before you go anywhere. Psychologically, it makes me try to achieve the max MPG on every trip. Personally, I've found that extended periods in the 75ish range have yielded greater MPG that maximizing the time in 100+. Your experience may be different. That's the fun of this car, IMHO.

Some questions for the GreenHybrid gurus:

• I'm hesitant to increase the tire pressure with snow season on the horizon. I figure I need as much tire surface on the road as possible. Any opinions?
• Does the battery charge during gliding put any drag on the engine? The car seems to coast less freely than I am used to and not sure if that is a function of the CVT or the charging process.
• When the Auto Stop is active, I've been allowing the engine to come fully back to the idle RPM before accelerating. Is this the proper way to use the feature? Is there a way to maximize Auto Stop, i.e., is there a way to get it to kick in during the end of a glide to a stop or have you found it takes too much brake pressure?

Again, thanks to all posters as reading the board in advance of actually driving the car helped prepare me for the experience.[/quote]