@Tim -- Thanks, that's the verification I was hoping for, and it is, in fact, quite encouraging. First, because it means I can expect my MPG is to keep improving (I just topped 1000 miles). And second, because I have to give some respect to Ford for building a break-in period into the system. New cars have always needed this, but a computer controller enforcing it (both for the ICE and battery) is far more effective than a couple of unread pages in an owners manual. Not to mention, I'm sure the engineers have been pressured by marketing to improve the off-the-lot MPG -- you hate to have dissatisfied customers in the first month of ownership. I'm glad the Ford engineers stood their ground.