Hi Larrys:

___Higher pressure in your tires as well as an oil change to Mobil1 0W-20 will definitely help after a few more break in miles but it is the 6 miles to work that is killing you. A std. Civic LX/EX would probably receive on the order of 20 - 25 mpg under such a short commute. If you did in fact record your Explorer’s fuel economy for that short a commute, it was more then likely 8 - 10 mpg over that short a distance then anywhere near EPA estimates. You are doing very well indeed to achieve 41.x mpg by the sounds of it so asking for more because of some problem appears to be a waste of your time imho. Consider it a blessing that you will only fill up once a month for ~ $25.00 vs. $25.00/week in the Explorer

___As a small tip, don’t use the HCH’s IMA electric’s other then to enter and exit autostop and pickup some regen when needed or available. Using the electric’s to get you out of the hole faster helps in the acceleration department of course but you pay for it in blood in the fuel economy department every time that little Assist gauge lights up for a period of time. My best advice is to use it as sparingly as possible with as gentle a foot as possible. You may have heard of driving like a granny or driving with an egg between your foot and the accelerator. This is only a small part of the equation. I tend to think in terms of “driving without brakes” to achieve what I have to date. If you don’t have any brakes, you can darn well bet your driving technique would change. Your fuel economy will improve tremendously in the process as well

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net