I tuned out for a couple of days, but this looks like quite a conversation! Wayne is the real authority on this subject, but I may have some input specific to the 6th gen MT.I think that one of the simplest improvements to my FE was learning to use the F23's decent low-RPM power (for a 4-cyl) to my advantage. Getting out of those low gears ASAP at minimal load is key, and I'm usually in 5th gear at 35mph as long as I'm not climbing any kind of incline. The caveat here is that FE in this condition is EXTREMELY sensitive to throttle position. I can maintain speed at 50-60mpg instantenous if I'm careful, or I can completely blow it and get instantaneous readings in the 25mpg range without even realizing it. The ScanGauge helps me here, but you can do fine without one. Just back it off a little farther than you think you should. The engine should sound and feel happy.I've had a hard time figuring out engine braking vs. coasting in mine. The injectors should be closed with the throttle above 1100RPM but I haven't actually seen evidence that it happens. According to my ScanGauge I'm almost always better off in the FE department coasting engine-on except for very specific circumstances. Maybe you are right that the cut-off is just higher, at 1400-1500RPM? I'm going to have to pay more attention, because that would be a valuable piece of information!Those short trips in the 2-5mi range really do hurt, but you can definitely break 30. My commute to work from my old apartment was about 5 miles with two bad left turns (busy), four lights total, and a net increase in elevation. Not to mention the extremely impatient drivers around here! The worst I saw in the morning was ~27mpg, the best was in excess of 31mpg on a cold engine. I'm sure I could have done it below 20mpg if I just drove the thing without caring about gas mileage. The afternoon commute was friendlier, and I saw in excess of 36mpg a few times in nice weather. I didn't FAS much, which is something I'm just now working in to the daily routine.Just rember to always, always, always keep your head in the game. Without a ScanGauge, you don't get to see which trip was great, which trip was bad, etc. Inconsistent driving can wash out the great results by the end of the tank, tricking you into the belief that you haven't improved. In fact you may have had a 35, 38, 40mpg trip in there but just couldn't see that what you did worked. It gets easier and much more fun once you start to see the better gas receipts come in!Anyway, that's my two cents.**EDIT**I forgot to address the ULEV vs. LEV thing. In reality, ULEV engines don't have any advantage over LEV engines in the fuel economy department. They are exactly the same as far as I can tell except for a more expensive catalytic convertor on the ULEV. Generally speaking, lower emissions comes at the cost of slightly worse gas mileage.
