Originally posted by Ray:
In neutral, you are still pumping gas through the injectors (idling)... in gear, it will actually shut off the injectors and stop using gas at all.. Coasting in gear is the most efficient means of operating the engine that is possible.



No kidding? Wow, that's good to know.

Originally posted by Ray:
You will see the best mileage staying between 2K and 3K (power band and secondary operation, respectively).




Yup, that's where I've been doing most of my revs lately. Shifting in that range through first and second and then if I need to get speed on, using third in the torquey 2K-4K band to get into cruising speed and sometimes I'll skip fourth altogether. Also, when I did my intake manifold cleaning, I did that little pre-98 trick of resetting the LIM throttles' stop to crack 'em open a little more at rest, and I do notice a bit more midrange oomph before they go full open.

"Think of it, if you like, as a librarian with a G-string under the tweed." Clarkson on the Mondeo.