Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for assisting the driver of an automobile driven by a drive system including an internal combustion engine to improve fuel economy. The internal combustion engine drive system has an air intake manifold, a throttle valve, an accelerator pedal and a linkage coupling the accelerator pedal to the throttle valve. The effective length of the linkage between the accelerator pedal and the throttle valve is biased to an extreme value at which the throttle valve is in a closed position when the engine is deactivated. The existence and intensity of a vacuum in the air intake manifold is determined. The effective length of the mentioned linkage is maintained biased at the extreme value at vacuum intensities up to a vacuum intensity existing in the air intake manifold at an idling rate of rotation of the internal combustion engine.