[baldyhunter]

Originally Posted by slowmover

OP, I would recommend starting by taking a step back. How much money did your family spend on petroleum related to transit? The annual fuel budget. One cannot separate vehicles from one another (at this level) and it will put a poor FE truck into context. The context is the use by your family, no one elses. But it requires records. For purposes of fuel it is ALL GALLONS, ALL MILES/HOURS, (ALL ICE ENGINES).

The first purpose of this is to have a background with which to make comparisons. The DHS looked at American travel habits a couple of years ago and found that, essentially, 90% of Americans go to 90% of the same places 90% of the time.

Improving FE is the last step, not the first. Intelligent use is the first step. In between are the details of vehicle spec, climate terrain, vehicle use and driver skill.

Exert some discipline (is the ideal). It is most of the job, in fact. But where to focus effort is the first step. One must have records. Average mpg is nice, but average mph is where the action is. Percentage improvements to both is what matters.

Being willing to make changes means a broad, overall view to see where changes can first be made comfortably.

In short, cut the annual number of miles (engine hours) though accomplishing the same work. And drive the remaining miles at a higher skill level.

Without the first, the second is near-worthless.

Have a look at "Jevons' Paradox". Our unconscious programming about cars is what is at stake.

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Ahh...the Hollistic approach. Very well said. Gets me thinking beyond the 1 vehicle.