I am currently on my best tank ever regarding mpg. I have an 07 Nissan Altima Hybrid and after 260mi on the current tank, my dash readout is 42.1mpg. (I realize it may be generous by a few mpg). I have owned the car since January, so much of this is due to better weather.

I feel compelled to say that I don't drive like grandma. Just a little history. I was a police officer years ago, for a short time (2 yrs). I mention this because I learned something in pursuit training that also pertains to better mileage. They used to teach us not to let the fleeing vehicle dictate our speed or driving habits. Well I find if you don't let the vehicle in front of you dictate how you drive, you allow yourself more leeway in the way you drive. Maybe this is obvious, but it really helps, without holding up traffic behind you. Leave yourself a little extra space, and you'll find your brake lights don't come on nearly as much as the car in front of you.

Also in a previous life, I raced cars (SCCA A sedan). My first time out I thought I was a pro, skidding around corners, really looked impressive, my times stunk up the place. That is where I learned about driving smooth. Smooth in to a corner, smooth out, not spinning tires. Ironically the same principles hold when driving a hybrid and getting optimum mileage. Smooth does not have to equate to slow. I refuse to hold up traffic behind me when I drive.

I thought I'd start this thread just to let people know you don't need to be a "hypermiler" to get pretty good results. About 5 years ago I sold my 70 Mustang, which had a 351 Cleveland engine that I built myself, 4 spd toploader, posi 9" rear, negative wedge front end. My Altima is not that car. But I'm enjoying the ride all the same.

It gets late early out there. - Yogi

I thought I would add to this thread to say you don't have to hold up traffic when driving to be a hypermiler! You need to learn what makes your car tick, and learn how to exploit its strengths.

-John
A pretty darn quick hypermiler.

Funny. My two main car choices were between a 2007 Vette and a 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid (TCH). I got the TCH. Hard to say if I am enjoying the ride as much, but I do like the MPG. Plus the Vette would have been hard for the family of 3.

Just curious, why was a Vette a consideration at all in light of your family of 3? Vettes get pretty good mileage ( not as good as a TCH or NAH) for what they are. Most all other sports cars get worse mileage than a Vette, including several that have a whole lot less horsepower.

John,

I didn't mean to imply that hypermilers hold up traffic. I guess it could have been read that way. I just refuse to do things like shift into neutral, or run higher than recommended tire pressure, etc.

It gets late early out there. - Yogi

The longer following distance is a good technique and I use it, too.

Regarding "holding up traffic". I don't hold up traffic either, but I'm sure the people behind me often THINK I'm holding them up. The mindset that equates tailgating with "getting there faster" also equates longer following distances with "slowing them down".

This can even get to the point where it sparks rage. Ask me how I know.

I have a morning commute with stretches of road with very predictable rates of traffic flow which are governed by just a couple of traffic lights which back up traffic. On one such stretch of roadway, I generally allow my following distance to open up considerably because it just so happens that this piece of road is mostly downhill for almost six miles and I refuse to use unnecessary gas to go DOWNHILL. Lengthy following distances matter naught in total elapsed time because of the untimed traffic lights six miles away, but few of my fellow commuters are able to grasp the significance of this situation. This is one of the salient factors which makes me very different from my compatriots in their Flintstone Mobiles; they are blissfull (well, not blissfully, more like ANGRILY) unaware of TOPOGRAPHY. As a hybrid owner, topography has a ruling influence on my driving.

At any rate, welcome to hybrid ownership!