Wow... I'm floored that you are having such problems with your MPG. It's hot here (Orange County, CA) and I'm using the AC most days... though we are able to usually keep it running on low and at 70 degrees...and our MPG is still holding in the 36 range.

This is a dumb question to ask, but how are you even guaging that you are only getting 27.8mpg in as little time as you've owned/driven the car. It took us a few thousand miles and a couple months to get a clear picture of our MPG.

I mean, I just checked the MPG website... and you've entered in 27.8mjpg... and you've only driven the car 285 miles? That's almost a little nutty and comical.