Okay, I filed up 11.3 gallons on 52.3 (displayed) MPG for 613 miles. I use the MPG x12 = time to fill up rule. But according to this, I could have gone another 45 miles or so. I will adapt to the MPG x12.5 rule in the future for MPG above 50 and MPG x12 for MPG less than 50.

Also, I've noticed, something interesting. In various parts of my commute when doing ~58 MPH I struggle to mainting the MPG and speed for, say, a 3-5 mile stretch during slighly upward incline. But on those same stretches when doing 70, I not only mainting the speed but also have 20-50% more MPG displayed on the meter for stretches of 3-7 miles. I've been watching and timing and taking notes and it seems to be so.

In other parts of the commute, when doing ~55 (on a downward slope) I can maintain 45-52 MPG (displayed in the meter) for about 1-2 miles but when doing ~70 I can maintain 85+ MPG and even be accelerating.

Then, other times when coming over a hill and ready to descend on the slope, if I have my speed at ~58 MPH I can keep my MPG meter at 50 MPG and gain speed (about 5-8 MPH) or I can "feather touch" the gas and gain about 70 MPG but retain my current speed (if not lose some). But if I am doing 63-70 on the same slope I can not only increase my speed about 5 MPH when "feath touching" the gas but I also keep the meter at 80+ MPG. I know the MPG are correct becaue the displayed MPG average increases considerably during those times.

I don't know what to call the phonomenon of going fast on certain uphill grades (gradual grades -- say 35 feet elevation over 1+ miles) and have really high MPG/speeds maintained... so I call them "boost"... because I know when I reach those points I will get MPG/Speed boost if I'm already doing a certain speed. Thus, when my wife asks me what I'm doing I tell her I'm "boosting"... because sometimes I increase speed before encountering the hill and then near the top I barely touch the gas (I can't let my foot off or I lose my momentum) and then "glide" and almost always gain MPG. In some places I'll gain .1-.3 and in two specific places I have gained as much as 1.1 MPG.

Thus, while I pulled off 613 miles for this tank doing 53-55 MPH average, I seem to already be doing much better MPG by going 65-70.

Also, I've learned, driving while relaxed will make a 5-8 MPG difference on the tank avarage (in my case). Those times when I'm tense (or really cold) I have to baby the I-MPG meter and always *lose* MPG over the course of the anxiety. But when I'm super relaxed and calm as a gentle breeze, MPG's come "naturally". Interesting.


Thanks,
Shawn