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Man, you know what? I have precious little experience driving automatics and even less driving in really mountainous country. I don't think I'm qualified to give out a lot of advice on that combination except the obvious:
- At highway speeds, keep the torque converter locked if at all possible. (Can you even do that in the mountains? Does the car even have a lock-up converter?)
- Your best constant speed efficiency with an attentive right foot (and traffic conditions that give you enough lattitude) is going to be whatever speed you're at just after the highest gear / torque converter engages.
- Hills.... if it's a short, steep climb, that could mean DWL (driving with load): actually releasing the accelerator as the vehicle speed drops, to keep the car from downshifting. Regain speed gradually on the other side.
- Obviously the above doesn't apply if it's a long climb.
- On the descents, neutral is your friend, provided it doesn't cause you to get into situations where you have to brake, otherwise just leave it in gear.
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