Proper Technique for Short Drives

Hi All -

My MFD shows 46.0 MPG average since new (5884 miles) which is somewhat below what others achieve. That figure is up from 44.3 at the end of the winter, showing the greater efficiency of warm weather.

My questions: (1) Many of my drives are 15 minutes in length, the first five minutes being the worst milage time - Is there a way to get better milage when driving short distances; (2) My highway milage seems great - high 40s versus 51 EPA sticker. I don't seem to be doing very much to get this MPG, just driving conservatively and staying below 75 MPH. Why am I getting much closer to the EPA estimates on the highway versus the much lower city results?

When I drive in the city for 30 minutes or more I may get some high milage spikes on the MFD, but I rarely get as high as 50MPG on average, not much better than the highway results. What can I do to improve the milage?

Thanks for the help.

 

Thanks for the tips. I dismissed the higher tire pressure after a 800+ mile trip on the interstate where the car handled terribly (2007 touring edition). The higher pressure isn't worth the harsh ride and more difficult handling (in my opinion).

The foam for the grills I read about, but living in NC I didn't think it necessary. Clearly it may have helped, but the large variation in daily temps in the winter made me nervous about using the foam. I also didn't like the look, even though some people don't find it very visible.

My biggest problem is the short trip time - about 8 miles to work. I didn't realize the severe penalty for these short trips.

Thanks again.

 

Thanks for the info Evan. My problem is that I live near a hill and must climb it every time I leave my house. So the penalty for a cold engine combined with the need to push the ICE to get up the hill seems to be the reason for the bad milage. I'll consider the block heater, thanks for the suggestion.