I don't think they teach economy driving these days. Years ago we had the Shell Economy Run, where the route and checkpoint times were fixed, petrol tanks were filled and sealed by officials. I took part in a BP Economy run with my rally prepared Hillman Hunter (my avatar) in the early 1970's.

The techniques used for the economy runs were that you accelerated carefully, when you reached your cruising speed you kept backing off the accelerator to a point where the speed was still maintained, but less fuel was used, and that you braked to slow down instead of using the gears. You also got into a higher gear as soon as possible (often with the engine laboring!)

So translating this into Citigo driving, if you use your PID trip you can see that by following those guidelines your economy improves! That is why the gear indicator attempts to get you into the higher gear asap.

My economy technique (when I decide to use it!) is to use 5th on the flat at 30mph and above only on a very light throttle - change down when you want to accelerate. Back off the throttle to cruise when on dual carriageways and motorways, that saves a lot of fuel. Don't use the gears to slow the car.

Yesterday I did a 29 mile trip and got 59.1mpg including one acceleration to 6,000rpm, but today I simply enjoyed my Citigo and left the trip PID at home. Yeh!!

Edited 12 October, 201213 yr by CortinaGT

On modern cars, one can use engine braking (gears) to slow down as all fuel is cut. Even better than the (illegal) method of fuel saving ~ downhill in neutral!

My economy technique (when I decide to use it!) is to use 5th on the flat at 30mph and above only on a very light throttle - change down when you want to accelerate. Back off the throttle to cruise when on dual carriageways and motorways, that saves a lot of fuel. Don't use the gears to slow the car.

A slight clarification on the last point with fuel-injected cars - for maximum fuel economy keep the car in gear at above idle revs when slowing with the brakes. A fuel injection system only injects fuel if needed to avoid the engine stalling or if requested by the driver's use of the accelerator pedal. If you're in gear, at 1,600 rpm and slowing gently, no fuel is used at all.