Yes, firebird_1252, that's absolutely true. The company I am currently working for got new 2013 Columbias and put new 2003 engines into them. After break-in, I consistently could get better than 8 mpg from them with a 9-spd and 3.55 rear. On days when I was running light, I could top 9. mpg. But... we get a fuel bonus based on mpg, % of time above 1600 rpm, average speed, % of time above 65 mph, and % of idle time, so I paid attention to those areas and kept them at a reasonable or very good level. Since we had APUs, the idle time was nearly non-existent. Each aspect was 20% of your score and all of it was more or less under the driver's control. Can't do anything about wind, weight, terrain, or traffic, but the rest, you can.
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