adjusting the nut did'nt help much.

[SentraSE-R]

Moonmonkey,

If you're like a lot of us, you'll learn to ignore other traffic, and just go your speed. Going 55 instead of 65 might cost you 15 minutes, but it might also be worth 10 mpg.

My SE-R's got slurp's weight, and a full liter larger engine than your Echo. I'm averaging more than Slurp's best tanks in it. It's largely a matter of discipline, although having good driving conditions helps a lot.

[moonmonkey]

your xb is the same car as my echo just heavier and less aerodynamic how do you get such high mpg you must be driving below 60 mph alot??

[SentraSE-R]

60 is my top speed. I drove my xB 7200 miles cross-country 2 months after I bought it, and learned what it liked and didn't like on that trip. It hits a brick wall aerodynamically at 60 mph. If I drive it 70 mph, I get 32 mpg. If I drive 55 mph, I get about 42 mpg. But if I P&G on low-traffic volume backroads between 60 and 50 mph, I can get 48 mpg. Add long downhills and no traffic (where I can glide safely to 35-40 mph, and I can get 52 mpg.

On low speed 40 mph country roads, I can top 60 mpg.

[AeroModder]

My goal is to hit 30 MPG in my Tempo, but so far the best I've ever done was a 26 MPG tank. Before installing the rear undertray and diffuser, I drove without paying attention to mileage and got a 23 MPG tank. The new EPA combined is 21, so it seems my modifications have helped to a degree.

But a +100 mile daily commute? Ouch. My commute to and from school is 40 miles daily, with 35 miles on a 55 highway and 5 miles in city traffic.

[SentraSE-R]

That's an easily achievable goal, if your car isn't saddled with a V-6 engine. Accelerate gently (if it's an AT), and keep your speed at or below 55. In the city, coast as much as possible, and shut the engine off at stoplights.

[Grim]

I wouldne be so hard on yourself.

The fact that you gained at all in this colder then average winter is showing that you are doing something. I have lost 1-2mpg+ on EVERY vehicle I drive (2 for work and our personal 2 cars) due to winter fuel and winter related factors. A lot more stations are also selling Ethanol enriched fuels and they do get worse MPG.

In the winter a car is running a much richer fuel curve when cold and it runs in "Open Loop" longer. Open loop is where it is not adjusting fuel mixture with the O2 sensor just a fuel map related to engine temperature, outside air temp and throttle. The oils are heavier due to the cold as well.
Most engine oils are designed to be at 200f operating temp. Gear oils in the diffs and manual transmission around 100-140f. Auto trans around 180f. It takes a LOT longer in the winter to achieve those temps where the engine and running gear is at its peak efficiency. Even synthetics will have some of the same problems.