I've found my gas mileage increases significantly when I accelerate somewhat briskly in everyday driving. Shifting at 3k under medium throttle nets me about 19-21mpg around town, and I get around 27mpg on the hiway at 75mph. I never run my car below 1500rpm in any gear for extended times. You have to use too much throttle at those kind of rpms for any acceleration, and I think it actually hurts fuel economy from being so far out of the powerband.
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