After 22 days, driving 9,419 miles and using less than 12 tanks of Shell Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel, global world-record holders John and Helen Taylor broke the existing Guinness World Record for lowest fuel consumption on a road trip across the continental United States.
On this drive, which began Sept. 3, the Taylors achieved 58.82 miles per gallon, surpassing the existing record by more than seven mpg, improving the record by 14 percent. Following the "FuelStretch" tips they developed with Shell and driving the all-new, clean diesel Volkswagen Jetta TDI, John and Helen were able to stretch the boundaries of fuel efficiency.
"We congratulate the Taylors on this very special accomplishment and hope it will prove to drivers across the country that a little modification of driving habits can truly help maximize fuel economy. It proves that a real difference can be made through proper vehicle maintenance and smart driving techniques," says Jens Mueller-Belau, U.S. Retail Fuels Marketing, Shell Oil Products U.S.
"It was a thrill to drive around this beautiful country and break the existing fuel efficiency world record here in the U.S.," says Helen Taylor. "We hope that our achievement will inspire Americans to adopt fuel-saving driving techniques to save money, fuel and reduce carbon emissions."
Following are Shell "FuelStretch" tips the company says are designed to help drivers save money.
1. Drive smoothly: Avoid heavy acceleration or braking. Speeding, rapid acceleration and braking can lower your gasoline mileage by 5 percent at lower speeds around town and by 33 percent at highway speeds.
2. Replace dirty or clogged engine air filters: Replacing a dirty or clogged engine air filter with a clean one can improve gasoline mileage by as much as 10 percent. A car's engine air filter can protect the engine from impurities.
3. Keep your engine well-tuned and repair any problems immediately: A well-tuned engine can improve fuel economy by up to 4 percent, so be sure to follow your car manufacturer's recommendation on servicing.
4. Make sure tires are not over or under-inflated: Proper air pressure cuts down on fuel used while driving. Keeping tires at the correct pressure can improve your gasoline mileage by more than 3 percent.
5. Avoid carrying excess weight: Keep your trunk and back seat clear of unnecessary items that only add weight. Removing excess weight can improve your gasoline mileage.
6. Use the recommended grade of oil in your engine: Following your manufacturer's motor oil recommendation can improve gasoline mileage by up to 2 percent. Look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to ensure it contains friction-reducing additives.
7. Choose a high-quality gasoline: Top automakers say that carbon deposits can build up on critical engine parts, which can decrease the power, performance and fuel efficiency of your vehicle. Volkswagen recommends using TOP TIER Detergent Gasolines to help keep engines clean. All Shell gasolines meet TOP TIER standards and stop gunky build-up on critical engine parts to help cars perform at their best.
8. Avoid idling: When you idle, you get zero miles per gallon.
9. Avoid higher speeds: Gasoline mileage usually decreases when driving at speeds over 60 miles per hour.
10. Plan your outings to avoid separate trips: Combine your errands into one outing to avoid short separate trips. This helps avoid unnecessary cold starts and keeps your car's engine running warm and more efficiently.
11. Pay with a rebate credit card: Credit cards offer a simple way to pay for things quickly, but using a rebate credit card means earning rewards with every purchase. For example, with a 5 percent rebate on Shell gasoline purchases and a 1 percent rebate on all other purchases**, the Shell Platinum MasterCard(R) from Citi, is one of the best rebate cards of its kind, helping consumers lower the cost of driving without sacrificing the quality of their gasoline. For example, the Taylors would have saved $32.00 on their overall fuel costs if they used the Shell Platinum MasterCard on their cross-country drive.
