This is my first "fuel efficient" vehicle. My first car was a 01 Taurus and my Second, a Jeep Cherokee is lifted and has skinny mud tires on it.
The most I have been able to get out of this car on a trip (while trying to conserve fuel) was a legitimate 46mpg. On state highways, tires inflated to the max and hypermiling. My car has the taller 3:56 final drive ratio. Lowest I have got on a state-highway trip was 40mpg - 3 people, luggage and there was pulling some hills at 4000RPM.
I'm not sure if this car isn't aerodynamic of if running 2500 down the highway is hurting it but it doesn't get near as good of mileage on the highway going with traffic. I made a trip to Buffalo (I'm in Syracuse NY) a few months ago, on I90 with speeds ... higher than they probably should have been ... and the mileage was only 36 round trip.
Lately I have been averaging around 30 on my commute to and from work and after work errands - but I live in the city and have snow tires on. The longest trip I make is 5 miles to work. Occasionally I'll make the 70 mile trip to see my parents, but that's usually on state highways.
What can be done to get this car to get better highway mileage? Right now I have some tape covering the lower recessed grille opening for more heat - should I make something out of fiberglass so its flat?
How about clear tape over the "spokes" on the wheels?
There were some models with different bumpers and wheels .. this is what i have right now:
