[ulnanVti]

The OP article is very good and has many good instructions. But, I drive first and foremost for enjoyment and relaxation. I think about fuel economy but don't obsess over it. I am more concerned about avoidable wear and tear on the vehicle. These are the sinple rules that I follow:

1. When starting a cold engine, I let it idle until the RPM settles down to stable rate, about 10 seconds.
2. When pulling out, I am very easy on the gas until the engine temperature is half way to nominal.
3. I avoid hard accelerations, even when merging onto highway traffic.
4. I never bottom put the steering wheel.
5. I add 5 oz of Lucas oil to each tank of gas. The engine runs quieter and fuel economy improves about 15%. Lucas will lubricate cylinder heads, clean fuel injectors and contains an octane booster polyisobutylene. I buy the gallon jug so each 5 oz treatment cost less than a dollar.
6. I avoid short trips like the plague - they will destroy your exhaust system in time. I never take a trip that does not bring the engine to full operating temperature.
7. Never let the engine idle more than a minute: it kills the engine and the transmission over time.
8. I change the oil religiously every 3000 miles. I know this is overkill with modern oils and my gentle driving style. But, I'd rather baby the engine.
9. Change your transmission fluid every 100,000 miles, maybe every 50,000 miles. It's cheap insurance.

Enjoy your car and drive judiciously. Don't obsess about the fuel economy. Concentrate on driving correctly. One fender bender will easily cost you 100 gallons of gas in equivalent dollars.