Welcome, and I wish you a wonderful time! As a new hybrid owner, you now qualify for the Hybrid Games (no not the Ford marketing stuff, real games...) The Mileage Game: how many miles can you get on 1 tank of gas? The Capacity Game: how much furniture, gardening supplies, or luggage can you fit in a C-Max The Modification Game: what little do-dad or add-on can you find that everyone will want. Danger, when combined with the Mileage Game, this can lead to bodywork... voluntary bodywork, but bodywork nonetheless! You now have a car where engine speed has nothing to do with car speed. Accelerate briskly and all is well. Accelerate modestly and you'll find youself speeding, because modest acceleration will continue long after you're going fast enough. The basic paradigm shift: Conserve Energy in All Forms! Climbing a hill stores energy better than the battery. The good advice: Learn The Instruments. They'll tell you what you want to know about the engine, the battery, and which you're using at the moment. And if you haven't met Jus-A-C-Max yet, you still should read his FAQ! He brings new meaning to the word "feather." HAve fun, Frank