[mpg_numbers_guy]

I've had no problem coasting in neutral with the engine on at any speed up to 70 mph in my Civic and 75 mph in my parents' Toyota minivan. Changing foot position while accelerating instead of keeping it steady (i.e. letting up slightly when it should upshift but doesn't) can fix some of the shifting problems common with automatic transmissions. By doing this I can accelerate in my Civic at 13-17 MPG instead of 8-12 MPG if I let the transmission choose when to shift. It adds up fast and my coasting is able to almost cancel out the MPG losses from accelerating. Honestly it's the warm up time that affects my average MPG more than acceleration. But from what I've read a manual will still crush an automatic in acceleration. It's an automatic. Embrace it's weaknesses and do your best to give those manuals a run for their money.