the difference
 

so after the debacle a couple months ago, where I had just gotten so damn frustrated with my mileage, I did as several suggested and took a break.

and now I can show a definitive difference between trying and REALLY trying, to hypermile, as well as the difference with my car of all city vs hwy/city mixed

last tank avg using solid HM techniques:
31.38 mpg (US)

previous 3 tanks avg with light HM techniques:
26.67 mpg (US)

granted, the local temps have dropped around 15*+/- for an avg:
(low 70-mid 80 vs previous temps of mid 90-100+)
but I dont believe that had much of an effect after looking at my last tanks avg with the same varying temps.

anyways, with an almost 5mpg better for this one tank, shows a HUGE improvement using more solid HM techniques (EOC, coasting, short shifts (under 2.5k), timing lights, drafting)

Good job! That's an almost 20% improvement!
You'll have to average it over a few tanks to see how much, but hypermiling works. It's made to work;)

Sometimes a little perspective can do you well.

On a recent road with a friend, I have to non-hypermile due to time constraints. The tank was further reduced by football stadium traffic. I was not happy with a 37mpg tank. My buddy was like "Dude, you're ridiculous, I can't get that on a good day."

Kirk

Hahaha! Love it.

Kirk, thats hilarious !
I have a few people who look sideways at me when Im talking about ways of increasing my mileage, but I think with gas prices where they are, a lot more people are taking the time to listen.

man, Im just not going to catch a break on mileage...
not only have the local temps plummeted the past couple days, but my batt took a dump on me, so several errands I had to run yesterday I had to leave my car idling...
this tank's mileage isnt going to be worth poo :(

That's no fun, but do your best to look at the big picture.

Isn't it funny that your mpg score seems to be more of a concern to you than the few dollars wasted idling?

I don't even bother to try (well not too much anyway) in the winter. I like having hot air from the heater, we claw through 6+ inches of snow per storm, sub zero temps, and winter blended fuels. If I try hard I can't get above 45 and get frustrated, if I don't bother much I still get over 40 and don't have the stress.

its actually mixed in with the frustration for me, Im both upset that my mpg is going to be poor and at the money I feel is being "wasted" by having to do those things, but they are unavoidable at this time.
but at least I can look at my avg mpg and smile, as it is quite a bit above EPA ratings for almost all city driving. :)

anyways, Im trying real hard to make up the difference, but with the temp changes and 15mph+ easterlies blowing constant, I dont have high hopes.