Dear spiff72,
A response from someone who doesn't consider himself a "big gun", but I am in the top 20 in the Camry section of the database...
I am not offended by your postulation that the "big guns" may be "older, less aggressive" drivers. I can't speak for anyone else on the list, certainly not those with better FE than mine. But, as you can see, I include my age with each post, as you do, and (chronologically at least) I am older than you. I don't know whether I am less aggressive than you - this is a much more subjective measurement than age - but I admit I drive the Camry with an eye on FE and did not do so with my last ride...a BMW X-5 4.4L (what FE?!).
So, yes, I find myself being less aggressive, driving at or a little below posted speeds and coasting more. I am just now setting used to watching the scowls of following drivers (I can see their faces very well as they tailgate just off my rear - this is New Jersey after all!) and I am sure you would laugh watching me creep up the slight incline of my driveway so that I can coast into the garage, trying to squeeze out another .1 MPG on my tank average!
As I have posted before, my wife has noticed the difference in my driving style, and even expresses impatience that I am going the speed limit (she IS a Jersey girl...). I pretend not to hear her...or maybe my hearing is going...
That being said, I don't see myself getting to the top of the FE pile unless I change my driving style even more. And that does not really make much sense to me. Lately I have been taking a lot of short trips (I am a lawyer with a local clientele). I actually thought to myself this morning, "I should take a longer trip to get this tank average up"...then I caught myself. What was I thinking! I would consider taking a
pointless drive JUST to keep mileage up? So I gave myself a dope slap and moved on...
I counsel moderation in this case, as in most things (even moderation!). If you think you're doing what you need to do to maximize your gas mileage, take comfort from the fact that your FE is still better than it would have been in a comparably-sized car with similar performance that was not a hybrid. I don't know what secrets others in the database may use to get top mileage (although I remember reading a post in this forum from someone who took ice along with him in the car so he wouldn't have to run the air conditioner in hot weather
). As for me, I just lighten up my right foot and try to go downhill constantly!