Maintenance increases MPG

On 01-26Ken Kneeb, post #31 posted an observation on " Dead battery after 2.5 weeks. He noted a 20% increase in MPG after replacing 12V with a new battery, and also in continuing to charge :focus: battery daily. I have essentially done the same thing, but not with a new battery, but one that still had some life in it. Open voltage reads about 12.67 VDC. I just finished a Casino trip to Reno and noted 45mpg upon arrival. On return I tanked up and pulled into my garage with 53.9mpg. This was winter driving, with temps of 18F at the peak of the Sierra Nevada range on Route 80. I would like to hear of anyone else noting this observation. It does make sense that the HV circuitry could use its energy in a more productive way, instead of constantly trying to charge a weak, semi-depleted boot-up battery operating in the 9-12 Volt range.