Did you buy it new? How many miles are on it? This is the most important info you can provide. Techniques are pretty meaningless if you have under 3,000 miles on it. There is a break-in period for the computer and the battery system. Until you put at least 3,000 miles on it you will be limited in terms of how easily it will go into EV mode, how long it will stay in EV mode, how fast you can go in EV mode, etc. While all those things are limited, so will your gas mileage.

That said, temperature and driving type will be the next biggest factors. No matter what I do, with short commutes, in the cold, from a cold start, in stop and go city traffic...I cannot and will not exceed 26mpg. In the summer heat with the AC cranked because my kids are in the back...I'm looking at 24-25mpg. You just have to remember that other cars suffer in the cold and heat and sitting in traffic too. In good weather, on a warm engine, on the highway or in the suburbs...I am in the 30's. Unfortunately, most of my driving is in the city in heavy traffic on a cold engine.

-Tim

2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid AWD
Black with Pebble interior
Premium Package with Nav & Moonroof



Current ODO: 26,152
Typical Drive: 20 min crosstown in heavy traffic (3.5mi there and back twice a day)


532 Gallons of gas saved
That's 10,642 lbs less CO2 emitted