i guess ats all the stop and go thats hurting me. i also usually start in 2nd when unloaded... would it make any difference if i started in 1st?

 

I don't think starting in first will help your mileage much. First gear seems to add RPMs quickly while not getting you going very fast, seems to me it would actually cost you a little fuel, though I don't even know if it would be measurable....