I can answer your 2nd question, and I'll attempt to answer your second one also.
In a book that I have, DRIVE IT FOREVER, it states that whenever you're at a stoplight or whatever for more than a minute, you should put the car into Neutral. It gives the transmission a breather, kind of like a break.
As for the 1st question on how to floor it... If you are flooring it for economy, then that is an oxymoron. But I suppose there is a way to accelerate that is better mpg (lightly?), somebody else help me out on this one?
But if you are flooring to FLOOR IT and GO, then instead of just JAMMING on the gas pedal, do as follows; I think it puts less strain on the drive train to do it this way...
At a stop light, it turns green, slowly push the pedal all the way down (but still while keeping it in first gear), some timing is involved and it might take getting used to. I slowly floor it, but all the while the auto trans is still in first. And by the time my foot is at the floor, the car is redlining and shifting to second. Anyone disagree that is a bad way to floor it?
I hope this helps you out. Sorry, it's a bit confusing.

[Edited by Hottee18m on 03-08-2001 at 01:21 PM]

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)