Just a few of my thoughts and opinions, but what do I know ...

One thing everyone needs to remember is that people who are on here, except for the few that come just to cause trouble, at least have an interest in what the forum is about. Some may have read a post somewhere else that referred them here. They may have never thought about fuel efficiency beyond noticing how many miles they can get before their tank runs out. I think for a lot of people who come here, they are learning a new way of thinking and exploring a new world and want to learn, about the hybrids themselves, the people who drive them, and techniques they may learn to use themselves.

Not that I feel we should censor our thoughts and feelings, but act as mature adults and not let our primitive selves try to force the other to your particular train of thought. No two people are usually alike, and will have different techniques that work for them and different situations/climates/terrains that will make some things work better and others not at all. People are allowed to view it differently AND as said previously, leading by example is the BEST way to get across to someone.

You are allowed to disagree, and debates are a very good thing, but you must remain calm and collected. It IS possible for two people to both be right and be on opposite sides of a discussion. Try to understand, show that you are listening ... point and counterpoint. Try not to just bicker, argue, and vent your fustrations. If you start to feel too upset, take a break, eat a snack (low sugar can make you volitile), take a shower ... whatever you need to relax, then come back. Try to leave the other parts of life behind, remember you are talking to virtual strangers who have done nothing personally wrong to you, even if they don't have the same beliefs. LIFE IS TOO SHORT to get mad and give yourself a heartattack or stroke.

Not every person will follow all hypermile tips, but even if they follow only one, is that not an improvement? If every person no matter what they drive ... improved their efficiency only 5 mpg, wouldn't that have an EXTREME affect on the enviroment and consumption of fuel?

To those who haven't experienced overshooting EPA mileage by double digit percentages (I have personally beaten by about 65 % before), they may not understand why it is so exciting. People that are here unleash the opposite kind of potential out of thier cars. Instead of 0-150 mph in less than 10 seconds, in general those here see if they can get their instant fuel economy at 150 mpg for over 10 seconds.

People have a habit of excess. If not, how could they sell a McLaren F1 that has excessive performance for an excessive price? The aftermarket is flooded with superchargers, turbos, nitrous. The same can be said for trying to acheive hypermileage status. If we could get those engineers to work on our hybrid systems ... imagine the possibilities. We could have every car, even SUV's running on EV mode from a cold stop and the engine only kicking in for charging duties (and run on an alternative fuel at that). That is my dream of the future. Having the performance of a sports car at the same time being green. I WISH Toyota would make the Volta ... I promise they would sell at least one of them.

It was a hard transition from a high end sports car to higher FE vehicles, but once you adjust, it is much more satisfying in so many ways. I still don't own a hybrid, but I did go from a car with 17/25 ratings to 35/41 ... now can't wait to get that much more!

I will stop rambling to everyone about stuff you already know/feel ... sorry for the length, take care everyone

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!