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Hello, I'm new here and am looking for the best tips you guys have for driving a big car. I own a 1989 Buick Regal 3.1L FI car. It's only purpose is to drive me 7.8 miles to the park and ride and then 7.8 miles home. That 7.8 miles is up and down hills though. I am looking for the best driving techniques and vehicle mods I can to improve my gas milage. Currently, driving like an average American, I can get about 22-23 MPG. I am trying to push that to over 30MPG. I don't know if it can be done in this dinasaur or not.

Things I have done:

I have the tires inflated to 45PSI
I have just changed the oil
I have de-gunked the crankcase
lightened the load as much as possible by cleaning the car out
Try to keep the RPM's below 2,000

I'm having a hard time with the hills. Driving this 6cyl. IC engine car, how should I handle driving up and down the hills? Should I drive up and coast down or drive up and stay on the gas going down the other side to build even more speed for the next hill?

lots of questions but, any help will be appreciated.

Hey there DoubleJ - glad to have you with us. :) I bet you can get 30 MPG, that's not unreasonable at all.

You've got a great start - good job filling up those tires and getting the car up to speed on maintanance. Other techniques you can employ are DWB, DWL, and watching the road far ahead to anticipate stops.

DWL (drive without load) applies to your situation wonderfully. Just lock the throttle in one place as you make your way up a long slope. Back off just a bit as you crest the ridge, and keep it on (reasonably) as you traverse the other side.

Good luck! :D