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1,626 Miles on One Tank

Pushing the limits of so-called hypermiling, a couple drove from Texas to Virginia without refueling their car.

By Claire_Martin May 17, 2012 12:12PM
Volkswagen Passat photo by Volkswagen.Helen and John Taylor aren't the first to get better-than-advertis​ed mileage on a Volkswagen Passat TDI, but when they recently cruised from Texas to Virginia on a single tank of fuel, they nearly doubled the car's expected 43 mpg. 
 
The Taylors departed Houston with 19.322 gallons of clean diesel fuel. The tank was certified and sealed by a police officer, and while they motored toward Sterling, Va., motel managers along the way confirmed the seal was intact. They drove no more than 14 hours per day, taking turns behind the wheel of their 6-speed manual-transmission Passat. That one tank of fuel carried them 1,626 miles. 
 
How did they do it? The Taylors, who teach fuel-economy driving workshops and claim 46 fuel-economy driving world records between them, use the same techniques as other so-called hypermilers -- drivers who strive for the highest gas mileage possible. Here are some of the Taylors' methods.
 
1. Driving in high gears. This lowers engine speed and increases fuel efficiency.
 
2. Meticulously managing tire pressure. "A [tire] that is underinflated by just 1 psi can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 3 percent," according to the Taylors' website.
 
3. Not idling. You're better off cutting the engine than leaving the car idling at long lights or while waiting on lines.
 
4. Leaving aggression at the door. Excessive accelerating and braking sucks down as much as a third more fuel.
 
5. Going slowly. Higher speeds mean more wind resistance and burning more fuel.
 
6. Screwing the fuel cap. Tightly. Air-tight caps prevent fuel from evaporating.
 
7. Driving downhill in gear. This uses zero fuel in late-model cars.
 
The couple has been setting driving records since 1982, traveling around the world and throughout the contiguous 48 states in various vehicles, including the Toyota Prius, Chevy Cruze Eco, Volkswagen Jetta TDI and Puegeot 308 HDi.

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26Comments
BJW2000
May 18, 2012 10:40AM
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Can you imagine how many people they ticked off along the way playing their games to boost mileage?  I already get aggravated with the Prius drivers that don't want to accelerate away when the light turns green trying to keep the gas motor from kicking in.  Just ridiculous.
xpert1
May 18, 2012 7:40AM
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Most drivers would hate to be stuck behind the Taylors on a curvy 2 lane road driving 30 mph below the posted speed limit and taking forever to stop or start up. Sure it gets you great mileage but in real everyday driving it also gets you flipped off and yelled at alot.
SHELBY5090
May 18, 2012 5:27AM
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Driving intelligently is what really makes the difference. The article is dead on spot. I have an '07 Shelby GT with a 325 HP V-8 and I can regularly pull 30 MPG without batting an eye. All by setting the cruise on a highway trip and tooling around town short-shifting thru the gears. My wife and I went from PAto Bar Harbor, Maine and back and averaged 27.9 MPG in traffic during the 4th of July week last year. And the kicker is, I had to pay a $1000 Gas Guzzler Tax when I bought the car.

Even when you "stand on it", I really do well in the MPG department, then again I still use my head.

carGuyish
May 21, 2012 10:56AM
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They got twice the fuel economy and took twice as long make the trip.

MN Gearhead
May 18, 2012 4:48AM
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"By the way most drivers do not drive as efficiently. "

Well that is sort the point isn't it. LEARN to drive differently instead of making a major purchase based on 60 cents a gallon or complaing that gas just went up $.20/gal over the weekend. Changing driving habits GREATLY affects fuel consumption and therefore your wallet. Okay so most people will not see double EPA numbers but still it is very easy to beat the EPA ratings on any vehicle.

 

Christopher Newman
May 22, 2012 1:17PM
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This article and some comments show the true value of a manual transmission. Controlling your RPMs and keeping the engine from over-revveing can add a great deal to your fuel economy; yet manuals are becoming so rare because people think an auto is more convenient. Once you learn how to drive a stick, it becomes as second nature as breathing.

I have an '05 Silverado 3/4 ton, manual, and can push it to about 16-18mpg. Learn to drive a manual, you'll save thousands when you buy the car, and save more at the pump over the life of the car.

The NonGoggleGuy
May 18, 2012 9:53AM
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Okay.  Good for them.

 

But I'll take my 1-ton pickup, stop for gas 6 times, and still get there days before they do.  And no one around me on the road will be annoyed.

Jean Mullen
May 23, 2012 5:36AM
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They must not have run into any trucks. I have driven across country many times and was constantly adjusting to trucks pulling into the fast lanes to get around each other.  The constant slowing down and speeding up meant not using cruise control or maintaining a constant speed. On an open road I have gotten 31 mpg in my old '95 Grand Prix, so I don't know what the hoopla is over some of these new cars that boast 26 mpg or even 41 mpg. It's 2012 for Pete's sake, we should be doing better than that by now.
xquzit98
May 21, 2012 12:05PM
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I can get 29mpg @ 75-80mph in 6th gear in my Corvette and Im happy with that.

 

420 blow-your-doors-off horses when I want them, above average fuel efficiency when I don't! 

spillerbd
May 18, 2012 10:21AM
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Now if we can get this couple to do this same trip in a Prius, a Mustang and Mild-Hybrid Silverado....of course the Mustang is only one with a Manual Transmission.
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