Graph of MPG/fuel economy vs. speed, 2004 Aveo sedan (automatic)

[Daox]

That chart is the mileage you get at that exact speed on flat ground. Accelerating and stopping use considerably more gas (thus lower city ratings than highway ratings). If you spent your entire tank cruising at the speeds above you'd see roughly that mileage. I can attest that its perfectly possible with the right driving techniques. I always get around 40 mpg with my Aveo, but I drive about 45 mph most of the way to work, so its fairly ideal.

[Thymeclock]

That chart is the mileage you get at that exact speed on flat ground. Accelerating and stopping use considerably more gas (thus lower city ratings than highway ratings). If you spent your entire tank cruising at the speeds above you'd see roughly that mileage. I can attest that its perfectly possible with the right driving techniques. I always get around 40 mpg with my Aveo, but I drive about 45 mph most of the way to work, so its fairly ideal.

"I can attest that its perfectly possible with the right driving techniques. I always get around 40 mpg with my Aveo, but I drive about 45 mph most of the way to work, so its fairly ideal."

Oh, lucky, lucky you. You are driving at that quintessential 'sweet spot', exactly where the automatic TC lockup occurs (at 45 mph) with a warm engine and you don't have to stop or slow for traffic, stop signs, idiot drivers, etc.

Let's revise it to say that its perfectly possible with ideal conditions, as you have demonstrated. You are lucky enough to have those conditions occur daily, or with regularity, hence your superlative results.

For the rest of us, our 'real world' MPG sucks, no matter how hard we try.