final drive ratio 4.521:1 alternatives??

[gearhead9]

Wondering if any gearing options are available for the smart car. I see the epa mileages are only 33/41 which is not bad around town, but pretty pathetic on the highway (for an 1808 lb car)where most of my mileage would be. Is the gearing for this car only available in the 4.529:1 final drive ratio, or can a buyer give up some of the 0-60 acceleration in favor of better mileage on the highway, with a different (optional) final drive ratio?

[burtandnancy]

You can gain a little with a tire change...

[RussBarnes]

I installed Michelin 185/60-15 radials and they are one inch larger diameter = 4.4% higher gear ration. I notice it slows the acceleration and need to put my foot harder into it, which reduces whatever I gain. And while maybe in Iowa at 55 with no AC I could tap the 50's. with my one day a week 104 miles on Interstate at 75 and probably 30% city the rest of the week I am still only at 41. I was a couple mpg higher with my Doug Thorley we couldn't take the noise.

P.S., I have four equal tires on now and maybe the larger tires on the front are sucking mpg away. But the ride is softer and the cornering is many times better.