(IAC) After paying a premium for a hybrid vehicle, owners expect savings at the pump. But instead of seeing more green in their wallets, many drivers are seeing red. Their frustration? Inability to achieve the average mileage per gallon advertised on their vehicle’s EPA sticker.

The new EPA mileage tests and calculations that went into effect in 2008 were supposed to temper driver expectations. So what’s the problem?

While the updated methodology that reflects more city driving, aggressive driving, and colder temperatures is an improvement, it can’t take into account all variations. How a person drives, the city’s topography, weather conditions or accessory usage will all affect the gas mileage. In other words, the same car driven by two different people will yield different fuel economy. Throw in drastic climate differences or a lead foot and the results will vary even more.

Are hybrid EPA estimates just a tease? The answer depends on the driver and driving conditions. The advice for drivers on getting the advertised MPG is the same for hybrid as it is for conventional vehicles: drive slower. If you’ve already taken to driving like you’re chauffeuring Miss Daisy, driving conditions—such as hilly roads or cold weather--may be what’s keeping you from high MPG bliss. Even if that’s the case, there are still a few tricks that hybrid owners can use to get the most out of their hybrid.

Limit use of A/C and electronics: While limiting the use of A/C will improve the gas mileage of any car, it’s especially true for hybrid owners who want to use the energy stored in their battery rather than run on the gas engine. Any electrical component, including headlights, windshield wiper, radio, and even charging your cellphone using a D/C charger, will drain the energy in the battery.

Pulse and Glide: It’s a technique used by hybrid owners to keep the engine off at higher speeds, but using it successfully to achieve high mileage is an art form. Simply put, you “pulse” the gas to achieve the desired speed (up to 40 mph) and then “glide” or coast with your foot off the gas until the car reaches a speed that requires you to either pulse (30 mph) or brake. The goal is to use the energy stored in the electric motor while driving, but it requires the ability to nurse the gas pedal to prevent turning on the engine. It also requires a road that is not congested with angry and impatient drivers who will resent you for oscillating between 40 and 30 mph.

EV mode: If you own a Toyota Prius or Highlander, you can force your hybrid to use the electric motor. It’s a feature that’s standard on the Highlander Hybrid (and hackable in your Prius), and it commands the engine to stay off and use whatever juice is in the battery. It’s useful for small trips like moving your car from one side to another. For Prius owners, the button resides on the dash and has been disconnected for North American consumers, but you can contact a hybrid specialty shop to reconnect it.

Use proper grade of oil: Again, it’s a tip that applies to any car when it comes to saving gas, but it’s even more important when it comes to driving a hybrid. Hybrids are more sensitive to oil and using the wrong grade can reduce your gas mileage, according to Carolyn Coquillette, owner and lead technical at hybrid specialty shop Luscious Garage. Check your car’s Owner Manual for the recommended grade and stick with whatever it says.

Low rolling resistance tires:  Hybrids generally come outfitted with special low-friction tires that improve fuel economy by reducing rolling resistance to the road surface. If your car is new, there’s nothing you have to do. But if you’ve purchased a used vehicle or if you’re due for a new set, make sure you replace them with low-resistance tires.

Convert it to a plug-in: If your hybrid vehicle has access to a power outlet and you have a few thousand dollars lying around, you can convert your hybrid into a plug-in hybrid. However, the modification is only good on hybrids equipped with motors that are powerful enough to push the car by itself (not Hondas, which have assist hybrid engines), according to Coquillette, who has performed numerous conversions in her garage. Hybrid-specialty shops perform the conversion by increasing the hybrid battery capacity, either by augmenting it or replacing with the battery pack. This conversion enables the battery to be charged from a wall socket and store enough energy to power the car for the first 10 to 40 miles.