Hi EricGo,

To my understanding “driving with the load” is basically using minimum pressure on the gas pedal to keep the eco light on while maintaining a given speed (someone – sorry I can’t remember who – once said, its like treating the gas pedal like an eggshell). Others may correct me though...

Usually, before I drive up a hill, I gradually accelerate to about 5 miles per hour above my current speed and then once I am about halfway up the hill I let up on the gas pedal just enough to keep the eco light on while not dropping below my intended speed – and I can usually crest the hill without dropping any mpg (but of course this varies with the incline and distance). To maximize the use of the eco feature, I use mod acceleration till I am up to about 5mph above my intended speed and then let up on the gas pedal so the eco kicks in but not so much so that I fall below my desired speed limit (that usually gives me just enough cushion). And, as GreenandBlue had suggested, using the NAVI computer has helped a lot as well by providing real-time mpg to help me drive more efficiently.

I have about 5 good hills and a fair amount of 18-wheelers that I have to pass during my work commute - and I can still beat that CR estimate of 25 mpg, which I think is pretty good. They must have gotten that number while they were testing the 0-60…