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Many CleanMPG drivers have crossed the country with far higher fuel economy and in far worse conditions in Insights, HCHs, Toyota Prius and Civic diesels. (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15572)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2009_VW_Jetta_TDI_Test_drive_wrapped.jpgWayne Gerdes – CleanMPG (www.cleanmpg.com) – Sept. 3, 2008

2009 Jetta TDI w/ a stick – 30/41 mpgUS city/highway per the 08 EPA.

HERNDON, Va. - Two of the world’s most fuel-efficient drivers, John and Helen Taylor, will embark today on an attempt to break the current world record for lowest fuel consumption on a drive across the 48 contiguous United States. To help meet this goal, the Taylors will be behind the wheel of an all-new, 50-state-compliant clean diesel Volkswagen Jetta TDI employing simple “FuelStretch” fuel-saving driving tips they developed with Shell.

The Taylors are an Australian husband and wife team who set a Guinness World Record for driving around the globe on 24 tanks of fuel behind the wheel of a Volkswagen Golf in 2006. Approximately 12 official check-in and refueling stops across the country are included throughout the duration of the drive, which is slated to conclude September 26 in W. Va. The current world record for the lowest fuel consumption on a nationwide drive is 51.8 mpg.

“It will be a great challenge and adventure to drive through the 48 U.S. mainland states,” said Helen Taylor. “We want to educate the American public that by choosing the right car, using the right fuel and adopting fuel-saving driving techniques, everyone in the U.S. can save money, fuel and reduce carbon emissions.”

“We’re thrilled that the Taylors have chosen our all-new clean diesel Jetta TDI in their attempt at setting a new Guinness World Record for lowest fuel consumption,” said Stefan Jacoby, CEO/President, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We believe our Jetta TDIs truly offer a no- compromise alternative fuel driving experience that provides our customers the best of both worlds—excellent fuel efficiency combined with a dynamic driving experience. We’re excited to see the tremendous fuel efficiency that the Taylors will get as they set a new world record. We wish the Taylors the best of luck and a safe journey,” added Jacoby. It’s just good clean diesel fun.

The couple will drive on a counter-clockwise route including stops in Va., Vt., Ohio, Iowa, S.D., Mont., Nev., Calif., Colo., Okla., Ill., La. and W. Va. Some of the fuel-maximizing tactics the Taylors will employ on the road include actions such as avoiding idling and higher speeds, minimizing vehicle drag and performing regular vehicle maintenance.

"With everyone focused on stretching their fuel dollars, the Taylors’ world record-breaking attempt will demonstrate to American drivers that a little modification to vehicle maintenance and driving habits can help maximize fuel economy," said Jens Mueller-Belau, U.S. Retail Fuels Marketing, Shell Oil Products U.S. "Like the Taylors, we have a passion for fuel economy, and we’re glad both Shell fuel and “FuelStretch” tips will power this exciting event.”

The Taylors have made a 26-year career out of driving economically and conducting workshops globally on fuel-efficient driving techniques. Along the way, they have collected 36 world fuel economy world records from drives around the globe in Australia, Asia, South Africa, Europe, the Middle East and North America.

Via their Web site, the Taylors will be sharing their personal experiences on the road. For more information and regular reports from the road, visit Fuel Academy (www.fuelacademy.com). For a complete list of fuel-saving driving tips, visit Fuel Stretch (http://www.shell.com/us/fuelstretch).

Link to Webcast of Volkswagen headquarters kick-off event: http://easylink.playstream.com/winlive/netcaster1.wvx

Link to information on the Taylors’ 2006 Guinness World Record for Fuel Efficiency (http://www.shell.us/home/content/usa/aboutshell/media_center/news_and_press_releases/archive/2006/fuel_challenge_record.html).

Link to the actual current records…

CleanMPG members reenact the Centennial of the 1908 NY to San Francisco Race. (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9414)

1908 Centennial Reenactment of the Greatest Automobile Race-II (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9121)

Lacey, WA Roadtrip (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10822)

And a multitude of 100 + partial crossings by Insights…

*************************
*************************

___I had the opportunity to view the VT TDI –Taylor ( http://easylink.playstream.com/netcaster/vw/vw.wvx) press conference and they F*****d up around the 24:45 minute mark.

Q: There is a concept known as hypermiling. Can you explain that or are you going to use that?

John Taylor: No. We were asked this question in Australia last week. Our understanding of hypermiling is where you sit 4” behind a truck and you suck on the back of the truck and the truck can be doing 90 mph and you do not use any gas. Dangerous illegal. We are not going to do anything that is illegal or dangerous. The most important factor for us on this trip is not only our own safety but the safety of every other driver on the road.

___For a couple who holds dubious driving records, they sure are ignorant of what Hypermiling and saving fuel is all about. They did not even get the coming down the hill in fuel cut vs. idle correct??? What a bunch of boobs :(

___Good Luck

___Wayne

It would be interesting to see if once these 2 are done, If a team from this site could the same thing and possibly blows away the aussies record in the same car. Fuel stretch seems very basic as far as techniques go.

My own roadtrip isn't close to being presentable yet, but I did
do the real-GPS-miles to gallons-pumped calculation and came
up with 57-and-change MPG over 8100+ miles. Including various
tours up and down mountains that *way* topped out the pack leaving
me on B-mode and binders, long runs at over 60 MPH, and a certain
bit of A/C use through the hot parts. The car said 60.9 on average,
and I'm going to take another pass through all the numbers to make
sure I've got the right compensation factors in.
.
_H*

I'm pretty sure there are more than a few North Americans around here that could give the Taylors a run for their money.. :flag:

Hi All:

___I am not sure what the Taylor’s will finish at but having driven a brand new Jetta TDI last week at TDIFest (not setup tire pressures, less than 1,000 miles on the odo and over 1,000 pounds of people in the vehicle), she only allowed 65.2 mpg per the included aFCD. Older TDI’s would show an overage of ~ 4 mpg according to those at TDIFest so the new 09 “may” have been good for just 61 mpg on that little highway jaunt? Drop the weight, increase tire pressures and add a few thousand miles of break-in and I suspect it might be good for around 70 mpg while traversing the country. Add another 3 to 5 mpg for a CleanMPG'er of course ;)

___What the TDI appeared to be missing by comparison to the Honda Civic iCDTi is the 10 to 20% jump in FE when under very light loads. The Honda IGN 30 - 36 in HCH-II’s, Civics and Accords and the lightly loaded – minimum fuel consumption - intake swirl port mode of the iCDTi just did not appear to be available in the 09 Jetta TDI (Hang Time) and I suspect this will hold the Taylor's actual back by upwards of 10 mpg vs. the future 50-state compliant small but heavy Acura TSX iDTEC or the current non-US compliant Civic iCDTi.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

so how is the "world record" figured? i mean, we called our event last summer a world record event. couldn't someone from here just go out and do better? is there a posting somewhere that makes it official? who makes the rules? jus' wonderin'

Hi All:

___I am not sure what the Taylor’s will finish at but having driven a brand new Jetta TDI last week at TDIFest (not setup tire pressures, less than 1,000 miles on the odo and over 1,000 pounds of people in the vehicle), she only allowed 65.2 mpg per the included aFCD. Older TDI’s would show an overage of ~ 4 mpg according to those at TDIFest so the new 09 “may” have been good for just 61 mpg on that little highway jaunt?

Just curious. What techniques, speed etc. were used in this run to obtain that MPG?

Hi Laurie:

___Someone from the Guinness book has to do something to verify it I guess? As we have all discussed before, the Taylor's records wouldn’t hold up against any CleanMPG’ers daily grinds let alone when we let loose but theirs are supposedly official vs. ours we achieve by saving boatloads of $’s at the pump month after month… Put it another way, I doubt the Taylor’s have seen > 100 mpg let alone close to that in anything whereas an Insight on an all-highway drive across the country is easily good for 100 + as some here have achieved let alone 70 mpg from a Prius doing the same. Or anything even close to the competition level FE we (you :D) achieved just this past May at the World Fuel Economy Championships ;)

___Jsmithy, from a parking lot to an Interstate maybe ¾ of a mile away, maybe 15 miles of Interstate and another maybe mile of suburbia before entering back into the parking lot. Top speed of maybe 53 mph with an average somewhere around 48 mph during the highway segment in that TDI. FAS'ing after a few second turbo-spool down for the Off-ramps and DWB/DWL as if my life depended on it for the rest!

___About that TDI drive… It was kind of funny because one of the back seat passengers said, "You don’t need any torque while driving like this, do you?" That one cracked a smile :) I think I scared them a bit coming into the parking lot a bit hot with lots of TDIFest attendees standing around. Three of the four were laughing hard while yelling out the windows, "look out, he’s DWB’s" :D :D :D

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Do I hear roadtrip?

At least in the Mobil economy run they did let the teams run the cars for 2,500 mile break in period.

so, wayne......how the hell do they get all the press???

Hi ALS:

___I can almost guarantee the Jetta TDI the Taylor’s will be driving will not be quite "brand new" but may have 5,000 + or more on the ticker to begin with. We will hear about it one way or the other…

___Laurie, I guess they know people ;) If they do not break through 70 mpg however, the CBS Chicago to NY in the Prius segment will make them look a little funny.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Say one wanted to do this in, say, an MT Insight, what would be the best time of year to do it? Is their route available so that it could be duplicated? Is an army of Guinness inspectors required? Just thinking is all.....

Wayne,


1) Are you going to do a write up of your test drive in the TDI ?

2) You should get you local VW dealer to let you have his demo for a PR event with TV etc (wadda 'bout another Chicago-NYC run).

<sarcasm>
Let's hope they provide a date range and road map so we can avoid them as they recklessly, illegally, and dangerously drive across the country. The overinflated exploding tires, the coasting out of control in neutral, the complete loss of steering and brakes during NICE-off, crushing millions of pedestrians, cyclists, mailboxes, and road signs during ridge riding... Let's hope they have a convoy of ambulances following close behind to attend to the carnage.
</sarcasm>

Seriously, doesn't matter to me who is promoting or covering the trip, nor does it matter whether CleanMPG gets any recognition this time. People looking for tips on how they can match the great FE results will find us easily enough.
The important thing is that any positive news coverage will raise fuel economy a bit higher in the mind of the common man. I wish the Thomas' well in their trip - safety and great FE - so they will demonstrate "how it's done" on the roads of the US. When people are inspired by the success of this couple, they will run through Google and find CleanMPG and other fuel saving sites and hopefully begin their journey of reduced consumption.

Don't forget about the other problem...
http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5325660,00.jpg

I was on leave at home (in Texas) after about 18 months in Bermuda, and
almost killed a couple of people when my brain told me to drive on the wrong side of the road! :eek:
Lucky for us, there wasn't any fences etc off the left side of the road.. :p
My Mom was upset that I took her Plymouth off-roading..

I think these people are serious about setting the example and setting the record. Their website is at http://www.fuelacademy.com/.

The writeup on this trip is at http://www.fuelacademy.com/latest_adventures.php. There is an image of a shirt there where you can sort of figure out the general route they are taking. It looks like they will have a blog up one they get started - but I don't see a link yet. The photo link does have one image from the VA area where they are starting the trip.

As for the mpg goal. From what I found it looked like they were more interested in setting the record than getting the best mpg that they could. Here is a link to some of their records (http://www.fuelacademy.com/world_record_drives.html). It includes a 90+ mpg, 14,000+ mile trip around the coast of Australia. So they can clearly do better than what they are planning for on this trip.

I believe that the HCH which I lust after must have had pretty darn close to 8,000 miles put on it from Chicago to NYC to San Francisco to Chicago? And I believe that the overall mpg for that whole distance was near 59? I don't recall if the trip to/from Minn to Chicago was recorded...

Yeah it sure would be fun to glide over their 48 state record... But I do commend them heartily for their efforts and achievements... but still... it sure would be fun...

Hi Fixedintime:

___The 90 mpg trip around Australia was in Imperial miles/gallon if I recall. Take a 20% haircut and again, nothing anyone here couldn't do in their sleep in an Insight, Civic iCDTi, HCH-I or II or anything equipped with a Ford/Peugeot 1.6L TDCi. A little work in the Prius but doable as well.

___The overall idea is a great one but as soon as records are discussed, this gets under my skin knowing what we do every day that most will never see no matter how well they drive and in whatever they are driving.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

You are right it is imperial gallons - 1 us gallon = .83 imperial gallons - so it works out to about 75 mpg us. Still respectable and more than most expect to ever get.

I can understand the records stuff getting under your skin. But consider it the publicity that gets people thinking and them perhaps acting. Then unless they come to a place like this they are never going to see the real improvements. For all they have done, the web site they have and the stuff Shell has put up is only going to scratch the surface in terms of what can be done.

I think Wayne and someone else can just drive behind them and stop everywhere they do and then put less fuel in the tank at each stop at the pump right next to them....

I think that would make it an official contest and really make it more exciting.... Oh I forgot that VW and Shell probably wouldn't care for that too much. ;)

Laurie, I guess they know people ;) If they do not break through 70 mpg however, the CBS Chicago to NY in the Prius segment will make them look a little funny.

___Good Luck

___Wayne
Sure would, which is why that fact won't be publicised. Seems to me that there is something going on that is hush hushing gasoline cars out of the general media and talking non stop about diesel. What is going on there? Don't get me wrong, diesel cars are great but from my experience, don't hypermile well. Also, diesel cars mpg doesn't suffer as much as gasoline cars when driven hard/normally. I may be wrong but thats my experience, as you can see here:http://www.askaboutmoney.com/showthread.php?t=90499
The link at the end of page 2 is interesting too.

Could somebody enlighten me?

ollie

Looking at the big picture on the diesel vs. gas: You only obtain about 7 gals of diesel from a 42 gal barrel of oil vs. about 20 gals of gasoline. That would seem to me that the price differential we have now will always be present.

Right after The Age put out What a Wonderful (Hypermiling) Couple! (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15254&highlight=couple), a competing news paper put out Red Alert! Hypermilers Threatening Australia! (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15280&highlight=couple) I contacted the Taylors in hopes they would tap The Herald's regurgitation of the AAA rubbish...

Thanks for your note, sadly many of the media are totally ignorant and only looking for negativity, we on the other hand are only interested in saving people fuel, money and reducing CO2 emissions, whilst combining fuel economy driving with safe driving.

We are completely against hypermiling, something we clearly point out to the media when they take the time to contact us.

Currently we are in New York, preparing for another Guinness World Record Drive round the USA from September 3rd to 26th, which you can track on www.fuelacademy.com (http://www.fuelacademy.com/) Latest Adventures.

My take is they would have prefered to have been called ecodrivers, but that does not sell as many papers. :rolleyes: I replied that while I hypermile, it does not include semi drafting, rolling stops, driving at erratic speeds

Couple attempts around-US mpg record in 2009 VW Jetta TDI (http://wot.motortrend.com/6276259/green/couple-attempts-around-us-mpg-record-in-2009-vw-jetta-tdi/)

If I'm not mistaken, that 51+mpg was done by a CRX HF around 1986.

2009 Jetta TDI w/ a stick – 30/41 mpgUS city/highway per the 08 EPA?

Didn't CleanMPG.com report on a new Jetta diesel for Europe that had gas mileage in the sixty something range? Is this another "Americanized" rendition like the Fiesta, the 71 MPG Smart, the Cobalt, etc,etc??

When will we fix this mess?

Hi Robert:

___The unofficial numbers VW was promoting for the new Jetta TDI late last year and early into this was low to mid 50’s combined. They should have darn well known better given they are the ones that test these vehicles on the dyno and submit the results to the EPA.

___Anyway, the Audi A4 w/ the VW 2.0 did hit 70 mpgUS on a run across Europe last month. With our varied terrain and beginning to get cold weather, the Taylors had better hit 70 or the whole thing is moot. An HCH-II under SAHM, an Insight and Honeywell’s Civic iCDTi can smoke those numbers. The Prius would be a handful running SHM to 70 on the highway but anything slower and the numbers would move up quickly.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi Robert:

___The unofficial numbers VW was promoting for the new Jetta TDI late last year and early into this was low to mid 50’s combined. They should have darn well known better given they are the ones that test these vehicles on the dyno and submit the results to the EPA.

___Anyway, the Audi A4 w/ the VW 2.0 did hit 70 mpgUS on a run across Europe last month. With our varied terrain and beginning to get cold weather, the Taylors had better hit 70 or the whole thing is moot. An HCH-II under SAHM, an Insight and Honeywell’s Civic iCDTi can smoke those numbers. The Prius would be a handful running SHM to 70 on the highway but anything slower and the numbers would move up quickly.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

the problem that i see with all our discussing, is that these people have the publicity (and arrogance) where we have almost worked our magic in a vacuum, with some exceptions, like the prius trip to new york. the average person, if they do see this, isn't going to know that they are not "really" the best there is.

and then there is the question of why, in spite of the fact that two articles that have been posted call them hypermilers, did they tell us they don't like it. seems like they are taking advantage of the term to get the publicity. did they make any comments to any of the sources that called them HMs and deny it?

Is it just me, or does driving across continents to break a Guinness FE record seem hypocritical? Even at 70mpg, they are burning through more than 40 gallons of fuel.

Oh well, $160 in fuel may be ok if others watching start conserving...

I noticed there was a short article on these two on motortrend.com yesterday. They may not be the best drivers but they are sure good at the publicity part. The next time somebody from cleanmpg does a cross country trip, maybe they should get Guinness invoved and smash their record to pieces.

Is it just me, or does driving across continents to break a Guinness FE record seem hypocritical? Even at 70mpg, they are burning through more than 40 gallons of fuel.

Oh well, $160 in fuel may be ok if others watching start conserving...
I try to justify these attempts in my mind by saying that if it leads one person to buy something more fuel efficient or visit cleanmpg, then those 40 gallons of fuel were more than worth it.

Hi SpartyBrutus:

___If it helps promote TDI ownership and the hundreds to thousands of gallons each driver will save, it will more than offset their flight from Australia and trip consumption numbers. More importantly , it will see how they have progressed in the past year. They pulled 44 something in a Diesel jeep across Europe earlier this year and the 2006 - 51.x around the world drive in the VW FSI. Both were a joke to most here of course but let us hope they do better in the new Jetta TDI 6-speed MT.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi All:

___They are not doing very well for a summer time drive in a Jetta TDI by our standards but it will be interesting to watch when they break into more open country. Only 340 mile days??? After two days, this is where they stand per their blog.

http://www.fuelacademy.com/latest_adventures.php

Results first fuelling stop, Shell Concord New Hampshire, for the VW Jetta TDI.

Using the Shell Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel.

Miles driven: 681.1 -- 1096 kms

59.15 US mpg -- 71.03 IMP mpg -- 3.97 L/100km
___Good Luck

___Wayne

Wired.com did an article on them, but they did add the little snippet on the end, voicing our plight that we could easily beat their figures any day:
"...A hardcore hypermiler on over-inflated tires could probably pulse-and-glide their way to better numbers, but until Guinness recognizes them for it, the Taylors hold the title."

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/09/worlds-best-hyp.html?cid=129315152

Hi Jaume:

___Thanks for the link.

___We have to give them credit for getting the Guinness people on board if that is what it takes? I feel a little sorry for them on their first fill but they were traversing Boston (according to the blog) and if they are stuck to basic FAS and with little experience in a standard every day US Stop and Crawl, 59.x mpg is probably ok in the new TDI??? Let us all hope when they break away from the East Coast there numbers pick up a bit as the new TDI should be worth 70 + mpg on open Interstate.

___About the additional comments in the Wired article, I think our country has more miscreants than I had previously suspected :ccry:

___I am still watching their blog for updates as it is kind of exciting even if we are not along for the ride ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi All:

___The Taylors are falling behind and this does not look good for a decent run with the low FE numbers this early on :( Possibly a 56 mpg segment the past two days in fact but they did have some bad weather?
Results TANK NUMBER TWO, Shell Toledo Ohio, for the VW Jetta TDI.

Using the Shell Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel.

Miles driven: 815.3 -- 1,311.82 kms

57.86 US mpg -- 69.49 IMP mpg -- 4.06 L/100km
___There comments about Chicago... I guess they should have asked for and taken a clinic before they drove through. Lucky for them it was a Saturday ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi All:

___They have tank number three knocked out although I believe they screwed up their blog a tad given they said they filled up in Clear Lake, Iowa. The total miles jumped from 815 to 2,229 in one day and only one tank. Maybe it was Toledo to Clear Lake which is certainly doable given the round about way they are moving to touch every state. They must have pulled at least a 60 mpg segment however to pull up from a high 57 to low 59 mpg total which is a good thing. The open country should help if there are no head winds… Until they hit the mountains.
Results TANK NUMBER THREE, Shell Toledo Ohio, (Clear Lake, Iowa more than likely?) for the VW Jetta TDI.

Using the Shell Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel.

Miles driven: 2229.3 -- 3,586.94 kms

59.19 US mpg -- 71.08 IMP mpg
___Good Luck

___Wayne

I was not able to find out what speed they drive at, but that's probably the biggest factor behind their numbers, given that they do not use advanced hypermiling techniques. And it's a good thing for a sponsored event with this amount of coverage if you ask me. The average joe will see regular people getting great mileage, driving in a way himself could easily be driving if he cared. Those are great numbers provided only techniques generally accepted by everyone are used.

The whole record thing is just convenient to get media coverage. Lots of people here could beat that, but until you actually do the 48 states trip and beat the record, they have all the rights to it.

Hi Tasdrouille:

___On a long highway drive in a lean burning gasoline or diesel, there are no advanced techniques other than keeping to the right in a RR while between the limits and using both DWL and DWB. FAS'ing at stops is what Europeans do and are required by law in some instances! It should be done by every driver here as well. If a world record is being challenged, you go for the world record, not play games. Think of it like the Olympics. Because the average Joe cannot play to the level of the redeem team or maybe Michael Phelps, maybe the US basketball team should have had to play with one player or Michael Phelps with 30 pounds of lead weight attached to his body?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I understand that, I should have emphasized on the speed aspect. RR all you want, DWL and DWB, but I highly doubt you'll hit 70+ mpg on the highway at 60 mph with that car. It can probably do 70 at lower speeds, that's why I was inquiring on their speed. Every generation of jetta TDI has returned lower mileage than the previous one. This one might be different, but I doubt it.

Let's not forget they're on a pretty long journey here. I pulled a hair shy of 80 mpg over 615 miles this weekend in my 99 jetta TDI at an average trip speed of 40 mph using DWL et DWB on country roads. But I could never have done it day after day for twenty something days. I did roughly 300 miles per day, that was more than 7 hours non stop of DWL, pretty hard on the right leg let me tell you.

I don't think they're really into the record itself, but more into using it to raise awareness in the general public.

Hi Tasdrouille:

___Welcome to CleanMPG!

___One, they are not traveling 60 mph (read back over some of their previous records) and two, read our reviews and especially events. Long journeys are nothing when it comes to members that drive to this level every time the key is turned. It is a "Just do it" kind of thing with no excuses.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I know three members that have driven the Insight over 1,000 miles in less than a 24 hour period at beyond 100 mpg. Insight's do not have cruise control nor would any of us use it if it didWhile not one of those three, I did go about 300 miles last month over 5.5 hours at 109.2 mpg at 45mph - a number of other people here could do it.

Hi All:

___They have tank number three knocked out although I believe they screwed up their blog a tad given they said they filled up in Clear Lake, Iowa. The total miles jumped from 815 to 2,229 in one day and only one tank. Maybe it was Toledo to Clear Lake which is certainly doable given the round about way they are moving to touch every state. They must have pulled at least a 60 mpg segment however to pull up from a high 57 to low 59 mpg total which is a good thing. The open country should help if there are no head winds… Until they hit the mountains.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

The 815 was the mileage for the second tank. The way I calculated it the third tank came in at 732.9 miles and 60.78 mpg. It looks like they are doing a tank about every day and half to two days.

Hi Fixedintime:

___They went fomr 800 to 2,200 miles between tank #2 and #3? A 1,400 mile tank is possible but not at 60 mpg... Something is a bit goofed up between total miles driven and miles per tank on Tank #3 I think?

___They finished up on Day 6… Mitchell, SD is the home of the infamous Corn Palace so let us hope they spent some time there to enjoy the local flavor.

Results of refuel at Shell Mitchell South Dakota, for the VW Jetta TDI Clean Diesel.

Using Shell Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel.

Miles driven: 2753 -- 4430 kms

58.78 US mpg -- 70.6 IMP mpg -- 4.003 L/100km
___Good Luck

___Wayne

Tank #1 was 681 miles. Tank #2 was 815 miles. Then they reported the total miles after tank #3 as 2229 miles. So the third tank had to be 733 miles. At least I'm pretty sure that is what they did, and when I backed out the mpg it came in close to what seemed like the right number.

This is what I have for the Taylors first four fill ups based on a little math from what they posted. The first two postings were on a per tank basis. The second two were for total only. So I had to back out the per tank numbers

Tank ----- Miles -- MPG -- Gallons
Tank #1 - 681.1 - 59.15 - 11.515
Tank #2 - 815.3 - 57.86 - 14.091
Tank #3 - 732.9 - 60.78 - 12.058
Tank #4 - 523.7 - 57.10 - 9.172

Totals --- 2753 -- 58.78 -- 46.836

Wow, anyone know what speed they're driving? I thought they were supposed to be getting 70mpg to break the record? They couldn't be doing anything less than the speed limit to get such terrible FE. I can get the same amount in my Yaris, NON-DIESEL, Auto, in a cross-country run. What gives?

Hi Fixedintime:

___Thank you for back calculating to an individual tank basis. After their 5th tank, I can table and begin tracking segment and tank totals unless you want to?

___YarSwiss, indeed but in the Taylor’s defense, this is an around the country drive on unfamiliar roads. They were heading into the wind and rain during some of the segments as well. I am also sure the traffic on the East coast and Chicago through them for a loop given lack of experience with American habits as briefly discussed in their blog. It brought a smile to my face knowing I actually enjoy the rush of Chicago area craziness :D Add to it that the new 09 TDI although efficient is not as efficient as the diesels and non-diesel hybrids and non-hybrids we associate with as fuel misers. The 30/41 the 6-speed earned on the 08 EPA was not a fluke. It is missing a high Fuel Economy range that the Honda’s and Toyota’s all have in some form or fashion. While doing a quick familiarity drive in the non-setup 09 with a stick and 5 guys in the vehicle at TDIFest, it only allowed a 65.2 for the round trip segment from cold and even when in the 48 to 52 mph sweet spot, I was not seeing 70 + mpg on the iFCD nearly as much as we would normally see in a well setup Prius-II running SHM, HCH-II in SAHM or the mighty iCDTi showing 80 + at the same. P&G a Yaris with a stick and I am sure the 58 they are achieving would be toast as well. In fact, I know it but find a Yaris driver that has crossed the country at 55 + mpg and you will understand how tough this can really be. We know our local routes down to the last rock and pebble in the road but crossing unfamiliar Interstate throws all of our slower speed techniques out including the best FAS points and such. In fact, most cross country drives take the advanced techniques out of the picture altogether other than in specific areas where they simply have to be employed because it is the right thing to do.

___And than the Insight 5-speed… That thing would kill what the Taylor’s are doing in the TDI and has done so on many occasions although not recorded for any record? 103.8 from Chicago to Massachusetts, 107.x from Washington State to Madison…

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi Fixedintime:

___Thank you for back calculating to an individual tank basis. After their 5th tank, I can table and begin tracking segment and tank totals unless you want to?
___Wayne

If you want to do it I don't mind. I've been tracking it in a spreadsheet for my own info and was going to start posting it since no one else was doing it. My biggest problem was I had to fake a table to get it posted, but now that I have a cheat in place I can just copy the code in the future. There has to be a way to do a real html table in the forums. I just haven't figured it out yet.

Look here for table-making ideas: http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14354
This might be easier, actually: http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15310

Use the table tag.

The format is like this (replace "(" with square brackets):

(TABLE)heading1|heading2|heading3
entry1|entry2|entry3
(/TABLE)

The above code produces this table:

heading1|heading2|heading3
entry1|entry2|entry3


Just keep adding "|" for more headings at the top (which defines the number of columns) and lines between the tags (which defines the rows).

Tnx Sean, Andrew

I think I've got it now - at least as much as I need. I don't know that I will have get quite as fancy as the examples in the links you gave Andrew. I was trying all sorts of things but using the <tr> and [tr] code for the internals of the table and nothing seemed to work

heading1 | heading 2 | heading 3
data 1 | data 2 | data 3
data 4 | data 5 | data 6
| |
Total 1 | total 2 | total 3

The reformatted table

Tank | Distance - Miles | MPG(US) | Gallons(US)
Tank #1 | 681.1 | 59.15 | 11.515 |
Tank #2 | 815.3 | 57.86 | 14.091 |
Tank #3 | 732.9 | 60.78 | 12.058 |
Tank #4 | 523.7 | 57.10 | 9.172 |
| | | |
Totals | 2753 | 58.78 | 46.836 |





World Record - Contiguous 48-States Fuel Economy Challenge

Tank|Tank Segment Distance (Miles)|Total 48-State (Miles)|Tank Segment Gallons(US)|Total 48-State(Gallons)|Tank Segment MPG(US)|Total 48-State MPG(US)|Notes
Initial Fill|0.0|0.0|NA|NA|NA|NA|Fill in Chantilly, Virginia
Tank #1|681.1|681.1|11.515|11.515|59.15|59.15|Fill in Concord, NH
Tank #2|815.3|1,496.4|14.091|25.606|57.86|58.44|Fill in Toledo, OH
Tank #3|732.9|2,229.3|12.058|37.664|60.78|59.19|Fill in Clear Lake, IA
Tank #4|523.7|2,753.0|09.172|46.836|57.10|58.78|Fill in Mitchell, SD
|||||||
Totals||2,753||46.836||58.78 MPG(US)|

Hi Fixedintime:

___I added a notes section for fill locations and separated/added both the Segment MPG and Total 48-State MPG. The totals are redundant but separating makes it easier to comprehend. Just hit edit on your post above and you have the code base.

World Record - Contiguous 48-States Fuel Economy Challenge

Tank|Tank Segment Distance (Miles)|Total 48-State (Miles)|Tank Segment Gallons(US)|Total 48-State(Gallons)|Tank Segment MPG(US)|Total 48-State MPG(US)|Notes
Initial Fill|0.0|0.0|NA|NA|NA|NA|Fill in Chantilly, Virginia
Tank #1|681.1|681.1|11.515|11.515|59.15|59.15|Fill in Concord, NH
Tank #2|815.3|1,496.4|14.091|25.606|57.86|58.44|Fill in Toledo, OH
Tank #3|732.9|2,229.3|12.058|37.664|60.78|59.19|Fill in Clear Lake, IA
Tank #4|523.7|2,753.0|09.172|46.836|57.10|58.78|Fill in Mitchell, SD
|||||||
Totals||2,753||46.836||58.78 MPG(US)|

___Good Luck

___Wayne

___I had the opportunity to view the VT TDI –Taylor ( http://easylink.playstream.com/netcaster/vw/vw.wvx) press conference and they F*****d up around the 24:45 minute mark.

Q: There is a concept known as hypermiling. Can you explain that or are you going to use that?

John Taylor: No. We were asked this question in Australia last week. Our understanding of hypermiling is where you sit 4” behind a truck and you suck on the back of the truck and the truck can be doing 90 mph and you do not use any gas. Dangerous illegal. We are not going to do anything that is illegal or dangerous. The most important factor for us on this trip is not only our own safety but the safety of every other driver on the road.

___For a couple who holds dubious driving records, they sure are ignorant of what Hypermiling and saving fuel is all about. They did not even get the coming down the hill in fuel cut vs. idle correct??? What a bunch of boobs :rolleyes:

___Good Luck

___Wayne

They did not even get the coming down the hill in fuel cut vs. idle correct???
I noticed that too. In a way we should be grateful because it makes their record just that bit easier to beat.....

I think they might know a thing or two about saving fuel. They have an impressive track record. Hypermiling is a US buzzword so it's understandable it might not have make it halfway around the globe.

I'm pretty sure they know idling down a grade is better than coasting down on the cutoff mileage wise. But If you look at what driving techniques they promote (and probably strictly use), they are all generally accepted fuel economy tips. That excludes coasting in neutral. And if you go look at their tire pressure, I highly doubt you'll see 50 psi on the gauge.

I don't like the attitude here, dissing their effort.

Good morning,

As Martin (tasdrouille) suggested, I had played the good sport and gone out of my way to avoid any kind of negativity concerning their current fuel economy quest thru the 48 states...was not in the mood for a "us vs them" and earnestly wished they had avoided that in their press conference Tuesday.

I have to express my disappointment with their hypermiling remark...let me divulge a couple of things:

The Age in Australia did a article and dubbed them hypermilers (What a Wonderful (Hypermiling) Couple! (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15254&highlight=couple) )
A day or so later, a competing newspaper did the all too usual AAA-inspired hypermiling is the most dangerous thing rubbish (Red Alert! Hypermilers Threatening Australia! (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15280&highlight=australia) ) The Sydney Herald reporter even called ecodriving (which is very likely what the Taylor's consider themselves as...) dangerous! :rolleyes:
I then go to the Taylor's site and suggest The Sydney Herald's article trashing hypermiling deserved a response and encouraged them to do so
The Taylors responded a few days later: "sadly many of the media are totally ignorant and only looking for negativity, we on the other hand are only interested in saving people fuel, money and reducing CO2 emissions, whilst combining fuel economy driving with safe driving...We are completely against hypermiling, something we clearly point out to the media when they take the time to contact us."
I should stress this is a reply after I explictly identified myself as a hypermiler while not employing the dubious techniques hyped in the media, yet they responded to me with the quote above and yesterday's press conference. :(Bottom line: The Taylors know full well hypermiling is not drafting big rigs inches behind them, rolling stops, etc, yet they freely repeat the AAA misinformation about what we do.

Shame on them



___I had the opportunity to view the VT TDI –Taylor (http://easylink.playstream.com/netcaster/vw/vw.wvx) press conference and they F*****d up around the 24:45 minute mark.

Q: There is a concept known as hypermiling. Can you explain that or are you going to use that?

John Taylor: No. We were asked this question in Australia last week (I was among them per above mentioned email). Our understanding of hypermiling is where you sit 4” behind a truck and you suck on the back of the truck and the truck can be doing 90 mph and you do not use any gas. Dangerous illegal. We are not going to do anything that is illegal or dangerous. The most important factor for us on this trip is not only our own safety but the safety of every other driver on the road.

___For a couple who holds dubious driving records, they sure are ignorant of what Hypermiling and saving fuel is all about. They did not even get the coming down the hill in fuel cut vs. idle correct??? What a bunch of boobs :rolleyes:

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi Tasdrouille:

___I think we all dislike being dissed which is exactly what Mr. Taylor did and it was done on purpose!

___Did you learn that Hypermiling was where you sit 4” behind a truck and you suck on the back of the truck and the truck can be doing 90 mph and you do not use any gas since joining here? Since I coined the phrase, I can tell you that it has nothing to do with that and anyone involved with high fuel economy and the vehicles we drive knows it has nothing to do with the garbage he spewed in front of the camera.

___If you beat the EPA on a daily basis, he just called you a dangerous idiot. Are you a dangerous idiot?

___As for idling down a grade, he obviously does not know or he wouldn’t have said and printed that either.

___I am fine with their effort. What I am not fine with is Mr. Taylor lying about what we do every day while being the safest drivers on the road.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I'm going to have to watch that press conference, maybe at lunchtime. From what I've read so far, I feel its right to give them credit for their accomplishments in FE and for their efforts in promoting fuel efficient driving. They are a bit smug, which isn't all bad, but some of their blanket statements make me feel that I MUST be part of the team that busts their 48 state record to smithereens.

. Our understanding of hypermiling is where you sit 4” behind a truck and you suck on the back of the truck and the truck can be doing 90 mph and you do not use any gas. Dangerous illegal. We are not going to do anything that is illegal or dangerous.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

this really torques me off. THEIR UNDERSTANDING is all wrong, yet nobody can point it out to them??? they are getting all the press and throwing this CRAP out as fact? what a bunch of BS. i am getting really sick of hearing about them. i'm sorry, but i just can't listen to this any more.

this really torques me off. THEIR UNDERSTANDING is all wrong, yet nobody can point it out to them??? they are getting all the press and throwing this CRAP out as fact? what a bunch of BS. i am getting really sick of hearing about them. i'm sorry, but i just can't listen to this any more.Laurie - I told them in an email nicely that hypermiling IS NOT lorry drafting - they understand that, yet choose to engage in propaganda. {sigh}

I'd have to be driving at 80mph and using little to no hypermiling techniques to get my mileage on a cross country trip down what they've been averaging so far.

I'd have to be driving at 80mph and using little to no hypermiling techniques to get my mileage on a cross country trip down what they've been averaging so far.

I don't know that I want to be too hard on their mph figures. The car is rated 29 city and 40 highway. Using their current 58.78 mpg and our customary 50% city/ 50% highway that comes out to about 170% of the EPA. Of course these are 2009 EPA so the percentages should be higher, but 170% is still a good number.

Sorry to be smarting about this.

I replied to the Taylors, but perhaps they had already left for the US...anyway, I again said what I was doing while hypermiling is well short of the daredevil tatics misrepresented by the AAA that they sadly sold into yesterday.

Not exactly modest, but linked the Dallas Morning News (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/070908dnmethypermiling.35fa7769.html) article on me in my last reply to them...I'd think the article would have been a lot different if the reporter riding with me agreed my hypermiling was like the AAA claims....is going 50 in a 60 that much different than what the Taylor's describe themselves?

Rather than an honest answer, it seems to be a political answer.

Wayne, I took your table and made a couple of tweaks - mainly to make the numbers right justified. That way they line up a little better.

World Record - Contiguous 48-States Fuel Economy Challenge

Tank|Tank Segment Distance (Miles)|Total 48-State (Miles)|Tank Segment Gallons(US)|Total 48-State(Gallons)|Tank Segment MPG(US)|Total 48-State MPG(US)|Notes
Initial Fill|0.0|0.0|NA|NA|NA|NA|Fill in Chantilly, VA
Tank #1|681.1|681.1|11.515|11.515|59.15|59.15|Fill in Concord, NH
Tank #2|815.3|1,496.4|14.091|25.606|57.86|58.44|Fill in Toledo, OH
Tank #3|732.9|2,229.3|12.058|37.664|60.78|59.19|Fill in Clear Lake, IA
Tank #4|523.7|2,753.0|9.172|46.836|57.10|58.78|Fill in Mitchell, SD
|||||||
Totals||2,753||46.836||58.78|

Go get'em guys. Pisses me off and I'm about as mild of a "hypermiler" as you can get. I usually have an entire family to keep happy.

I sent them an e-mail to remind them again what hypermiling is. They replied to say they understand now and will give a better response in the future. Time will tell though, as it seems they have been told many times before.

Hi Mike,

Nice to hear from you.

Pleased you enjoy being a TDI driver and we too hope to get the message across to the US public about diesel cars.

We were advised, incorrectly now it seems on the definition of hypermiling in the US, your correction is truly appreciated and we will ensure a more suitable answer is issued in the US in the future.

Happy motoring.

Kind regards,

Helen & John Taylor

On Thu, Sep 11, 2008 at 12:04 AM, Mike Sefton wrote:

Message:
Hi John & Helen, I hope you are doing well. I have recently been reading about your progress driving across the USA going for a world record and am very happy to see you promoting fuel economy. Also, as a TDI driver, I am happy to see your choice of vehicle was a diesel. Diesels need more promotion in North America and your record attempt should help its cause.

Unfortunately, I was watching an interview today and was disappointed when a question regarding hypermiling was brought up. John replied that his understanding of hypermiling was drafting 4 inches behind a truck and other dangerous activities. I consider myself a hypermiler and do not engage in dangerous driving, and most hypermilers I know are the same. I hope you will learn the true definition of hypermiling: Exceeding a vehicle's rated fuel economy while being a safe and aware driver. So you are probably hypermiling as well. I hope that if you are asked about hypermilng again, you will correctly explain what hypermiling means instead of focusing on dangerous ways to save fuel which are not considered hypermiling.

Thanks for your time and have a safe trip wherever your travels take you,

Mike

Hi Mike:

___I was softening to their attempt with Chuck’s initial E-Mail and their nonsensical reply until I saw the recorded video conference yesterday. Both John and Helen made a conscious effort to promote their way of soft pedal fuel economy without accountability and run rip shod over Hypermiling in the process.

___Consider if someone asked the 8,000 plus CleanMPG members what ECO-Driving was? I can guarantee not a single person would say it is following a truck within 4” at 90 mph because not a single individual here is that stupid. The community as a whole would jump all over the individual for saying such a thing… And then we have the Taylors who are world renown for FE records. Nobody is just randomly given an opportunity to set a world record like this with the tens of thousands of dollars spent upfront unless they know what they are doing. By knowing, they are also keenly aware of what is going on around the rest of the world with regards to the high fuel economy driving community.

___Their response was not just deceitful but including timing with Helen taking on the safety cause immediately after John gave his knowingly BS definition. It could not have been anything other than rehearsed. At least that was my take while I had to listen to that section of video at least 20 times in a row while transcribing it for the earlier post :mad:

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I sent them an e-mail to remind them again what hypermiling is. They replied to say they understand now and will give a better response in the future. Time will tell though, as it seems they have been told many times before.

Until the Taylors actively seek to print, record, and otherwise disseminate a retraction, their response is hollow.

___Consider if someone asked the 8,000 plus CleanMPG members what ECO-Driving was? I can guarantee not a single person would say it is following a truck within 4” at 90 mph because not a single individual here is that stupid.

I've seen a few people on this site make claims such as this (usually referring to HM, though), and then get rightly taken to task for it. I usually remind them that notably absent from the definitions of both hypermiling and eco-driving is mention of any specific technique (and Wayne, not to kiss too much *** but I'm very glad that you defined it that way).

I sent them an e-mail to remind them again what hypermiling is. They replied to say they understand now and will give a better response in the future. Time will tell though, as it seems they have been told many times before.Pretty soon it will be blantly absurd they can continue to bash hypermilers ignorantly...it's doubtful in their press conference they were unfamiliar with what real hypermilers do. Hope it turns out they call out the bum rap on hypermilers, but not holdling my breath.

They need to serously consider addressing hypermiling differently if they want to avoid looking like lackeys of the AAA and company.

Their egos and/or PR needs may make it necessary for them to present themselves as pioneers breaking fresh ground doing something new all by themselves. To do that, they may need to distance themselves from existing groups and methods. Just a thought.

Hi John:

___Good point.

___We know some members here routinely pull 200% + of the EPA on their daily grinds and that is new :)

___Pete, I think I am going to expand our definition to include the NEDC, Japan 10-15 and the Transport Canada fuel economy test cycles now ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Their egos and/or PR needs may make it necessary for them to present themselves as pioneers breaking fresh ground doing something new all by themselves. To do that, they may need to distance themselves from existing groups and methods. Just a thought.John,

I think you hit it on the head - they are defining their attempt as the most fuel efficent run through all 48-states legitimately, thus discrediting any runs that top it. More of "us vs them". {sigh}

I find it hard to believe if a team from CleanMPG were to set a new record authenticated by Guinness, it could be disputed.

...I find it hard to believe if a team from CleanMPG were to set a new record authenticated by Guinness, it could be disputed.

IF? Don't you mean when? :D

The update for yesterday included a fill up in Hardin, MT. However they gave almost no data. All we got was that they had 56.68 mpg. They did not say if this was for the tank or if it was for the trip thus far.

My best guess is that they went about 700 mile on this tank - based on where their last fill up was, which states they hit and the info they gave in their blog. If the 56.68 mpg is for the trip thus far, and that is what I suspect - why would they only give us the number for the tank - then they were really hurting as my calculations come out at just under 50 mpg for the tank.

Given where they filled up, and how far they went yesterday I expect they will get another fill up today - that may clarify things.

Who has made Guiness the standard for world records. Wayne, I say that you set the parameters that you want, claim the title and others compete at it.

Further more, <i think that cleanmpg should be setting the standards for all fuel ecomomy runs.

There isn't anybody doing it now, so it is wide open.

Updated Mileage figures.

The last two postings to the Taylor's blog have not included all the data on each fill up. So I made some assumptions. The most important is that they are giving the total mpg for the trip. If the mpg figure they are giving are for each tank then the numbers are off and they are doing a bit better than what these numbers reflect. I think my assumption is a good one as in the earlier postings they were giving total miles on one line and mpg on the next. Now they are just listing the mpg number in the same location on the blog postings. Total miles just happened to show up in their blog discussion and not in the summary.

For fill up #5 all they gave was the location and the mpg. For fill up #6 they gave the mpg and the total distance. Google maps gave me 690 miles based on their likely route without accounting for their side trip into WY. Google maps gave me 726 miles for the distance for the distance between Hardin, MT and Kennewick, WA. Based on those number I used 725 miles for Tank #5 and 735 miles for Tank #6.

World Record - Contiguous 48-States Fuel Economy Challenge

Tank|Tank Segment Distance (Miles)|Total 48-State (Miles)|Tank Segment Gallons(US)|Total 48-State(Gallons)|Tank Segment MPG(US)|Total 48-State MPG(US)|Notes
Initial Fill|0.0|0.0|NA|NA|NA|NA|Fill in Chantilly, VA
Tank #1|681.1|681.1|11.515|11.515|59.15|59.15|Fill in Concord, NH
Tank #2|815.3|1,496.4|14.091|25.606|57.86|58.44|Fill in Toledo, OH
Tank #3|732.9|2,229.3|12.058|37.664|60.78|59.19|Fill in Clear Lake, IA
Tank #4|523.7|2,753.0|9.172|46.836|57.10|58.78|Fill in Mitchell, SD
Tank #5|725.0|3,478.0|14.526|61.362|49.91|56.68|Fill in Hardin, MT
Tank #6|735.0|4,213.0|13.033|74.395|56.39|56.63|Fill Kennewick, WA
|||||||
Totals||4,213||74.395||56.63|

The Taylor's fill up was in Sacramento, CA yesterday. After looking at the data and using the logic I have been that they were giving us a running total for the mpg the implied mpg for the last tank was close to 80. So I have changed my mind and decided that what they are giving us is a tank by tank number and not the running total. This smoothed the numbers out a bit and eliminated the 49 mpg tank. What is also means is that the total are likely off by a very small amount since they did not give us the mileage on either tank #5 or tank #6. The error is trivial given they got 58.68 mpg for one tank and 58.63 mpg for the other. What they are giving is the total mileage driven thus far and the mpg for the tank.

So here is the revised table with the latest entry included.

World Record - Contiguous 48-States Fuel Economy Challenge

Tank|Tank Segment Distance (Miles)|Total 48-State (Miles)|Tank Segment Gallons(US)|Total 48-State(Gallons)|Tank Segment MPG(US)|Total 48-State MPG(US)|Notes
Initial Fill|0.0|0.0|NA|NA|NA|NA|Fill in Chantilly, VA
Tank #1|681.1|681.1|11.515|11.515|59.15|59.15|Fill in Concord, NH
Tank #2|815.3|1,496.4|14.091|25.606|57.86|58.44|Fill in Toledo, OH
Tank #3|732.9|2,229.3|12.058|37.988|59.19|58.68|Fill in Clear Lake, IA
Tank #4|523.7|2,753.0|8.909|46.897|58.78|58.70|Fill in Mitchell, SD
Tank #5|725.0|3,478.0|12.148|59.045|56.68|58.27|Fill in Hardin, MT
Tank #6|735.0|4,213.0|12.979|72.024|56.63|57.98|Fill Kennewick, WA
Tank #7|813.0|5,026.0|13.682|85.707|59.42|58.21|Fill Sacramento, CA
|||||||
Totals||5.023||85.707||58.21|

Hi Fixedintime:

___Are they running fills every other day? If so, they appear to be driving between 250 and 400 miles per day? I am also surprised by the tank segments as they had to do some climb into the Rockies and Sierra Nevada’s. I would not doubt they did drop down for a 49 mpg segment over two of those days? Watch their blogs for that differentiation.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

honestly they are nothing more than political tools for the shell gas company, "you can still use our product and be green as long as you buy our gas and that car!!"

prius/insight/hch/yaris/echo/saturnSL's/corollas/civics/geometro/swifts/anyI4car and gasp some FEH!?!!? can get those numbers long before these Taylors knew what saving gas was, GO HOME AND STOP POLLUTING THE AIR you rookies your a disgrace when it comes to saving gas.

if you really cared about saving gas you wouldn't be burning it mindlessly and promoting it in ways where you don't have to burn it in the first place and only when you need it.

to think they already burned 320 liters for advertising purposes make me want to slash the tires on their VW car that they won't even get to keep i bet, i could make 320 liters last at least half a year if I really tried! UGH

Hi Fixedintime:

___Are they running fills every other day? If so, they appear to be driving between 250 and 400 miles per day? I am also surprised by the tank segments as they had to do some climb into the Rockies and Sierra Nevada’s. I would not doubt they did drop down for a 49 mpg segment over two of those days? Watch their blogs for that differentiation.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi Wayne.

I accepted the 49 mpg segment originally given how much they complained about climbing the mountains. But when I did the math this morning it implied a 80 mpg segment down out of WA and into CA. That was what made me look at the assumptions. It looks like what they did for the fist couple of tanks was give the mileage and the mpg for the tank. Then later they switched to the total mileage but stayed with the mpg for the tank. I had just assumed that when they went to total mileage they also went to the total mpg.

As for distance they are up to day 11 with seven fill up and 5,026 miles - plus the distance they ran after yesterday fill up for the rest of the day. That comes out somewhere just over 450 miles per day. That is the number you quoted. That could be 8-9 hours of driving depending on their speed. On top of that they seem to be taking some time out for media interviews. So that is probably a good daily distance. With the seven fill ups they are averaging just over 700 miles per tank.

Ignoring the first fill up my copy from there blog has fill up on

Tank # 1 - Day 2 - Concord, NN
Tank # 2 - Day 4 - Toledo, OH
Tank # 3 - Day 5 - Clear Lake, IA
Tank # 4 - Day 6 - Mitchell, SD
Tank # 5 - Day 8 - Hardin, SD
Tank # 6 - Day 9 - Kennewick, WA
Tank # 7 - Day 11 - Sacramento, CA

That comes out as a fill up two out of every three days.

The only confusion was with tank #3 that they claimed for Clear Lake, IA in the text of their blog and for Toledo, OH in the "mathematics" section. Toledo is clearly wrong - they stared the day in IL and headed west.

The Taylors finally got back on the road and updated their blog. The rested on Tuesday and started out from CA on Wednesday. This morning they updated their blog for Wednesday and Thursday. So here are their latest numbers.


World Record - Contiguous 48-States Fuel Economy Challenge

Tank|Tank Segment Distance (Miles)|Total 48-State (Miles)|Tank Segment Gallons(US)|Total 48-State(Gallons)|Tank Segment MPG(US)|Total 48-State MPG(US)|Notes
Initial Fill|0.0|0.0|NA|NA|NA|NA|Fill in Chantilly, VA
Tank #1|681.1|681.1|11.515|11.515|59.15|59.15|Fill in Concord, NH
Tank #2|815.3|1,496.4|14.091|25.606|57.86|58.44|Fill in Toledo, OH
Tank #3|732.9|2,229.3|12.058|37.988|59.19|58.68|Fill in Clear Lake, IA
Tank #4|523.7|2,753.0|8.909|46.897|58.78|58.70|Fill in Mitchell, SD
Tank #5|725.0|3,478.0|12.148|59.045|56.68|58.27|Fill in Hardin, MT
Tank #6|735.0|4,213.0|12.979|72.024|56.63|57.98|Fill Kennewick, WA
Tank #7|813.0|5,026.0|13.682|85.707|59.42|58.21|Fill Sacramento, CA
Tank #7|746.0|5,751.0|13.024|99.373|57.28|57.87|Fill Kingman, AZ
Tank #7|834.0|6,585.0|14.071|113.445|59.27|58.05|Fill Santa Rosa, NM
|||||||
Totals||6,585||113.445||58.05|

The Taylor's were on the road again this time with a fill up in Lenexa, KS. This time from their writeup in the blog they seemed ecstatic to have come in at 60.8 mpg on the last tank.

World Record - Contiguous 48-States Fuel Economy Challenge

Tank|Tank Segment Distance (Miles)|Total 48-State (Miles)|Tank Segment Gallons(US)|Total 48-State(Gallons)|Tank Segment MPG(US)|Total 48-State MPG(US)|Notes
Initial Fill|0.0|0.0|NA|NA|NA|NA|Fill in Chantilly, VA
Tank #1|681.1|681.1|11.515|11.515|59.15|59.15|Fill in Concord, NH
Tank #2|815.3|1,496.4|14.091|25.606|57.86|58.44|Fill in Toledo, OH
Tank #3|732.9|2,229.3|12.058|37.988|59.19|58.68|Fill in Clear Lake, IA
Tank #4|523.7|2,753.0|8.909|46.897|58.78|58.70|Fill in Mitchell, SD
Tank #5|725.0|3,478.0|12.148|59.045|56.68|58.27|Fill in Hardin, MT
Tank #6|735.0|4,213.0|12.979|72.024|56.63|57.98|Fill Kennewick, WA
Tank #7|813.0|5,026.0|13.682|85.707|59.42|58.21|Fill Sacramento, CA
Tank #8|746.0|5,751.0|13.024|99.373|57.28|57.87|Fill Kingman, AZ
Tank #9|834.0|6,585.0|14.071|113.445|59.27|58.05|Fill Santa Rosa, NM
Tank #10|781.0|7,366.0|12.845|126.290|60.80|58.33|Fill Lenexa, KS
|||||||
Totals||7,366||126.290||58.33|

If their blog was accurate, they have a destination of Mt Vernon, IL this evening. I haven't been following their travels much. What time do they reach their destination. Mt. Vernon is only about 40 miles away from me.

Maybe I could stick a CleanMPG sticker in their window when they weren't looking??:flag:

Wayne,

When you get your route done and have driven it for the new world record, will you publish the exact route? I'd maybe like to do it on a motorcycle next summer.

Gershon

Gershon,

If you do a 48-state attempt, are you going to research enhancing the windshield? You know, along the lines of what bajoos would do.

Delta Flyer said:

Gershon,

If you do a 48-state attempt, are you going to research enhancing the windshield? You know, along the lines of what bajoos would do.

I'm thinking of it more as an endurance event rather than a fuel economy event. I'm not what people would consider an endurance rider, so I'm not after an endurance record of any sort. But I've found planning these things is a lot of fun even if I never do it. It may be hard to get the 18 days off from work I figure I'd need to go the 8,600 miles.

On the windscreen, I'll probably take my Burgman 650. The stock windscreen is fine for that. If I take the Suzuki C50, I'll probably go without a windscreen as I don't seem to be bothered much by wind.

Gershon

Hi Gershon:

___You may like the following and it is a lot less than 8,000 miles too :)

Re: Calling every member from every state for help on World Record route planning (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15802&page=13)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

If their blog was accurate, they have a destination of Mt Vernon, IL this evening. I haven't been following their travels much. What time do they reach their destination. Mt. Vernon is only about 40 miles away from me.

Maybe I could stick a CleanMPG sticker in their window when they weren't looking??:flag:

I think they are a day behind on their blog postings. So the last posting is what they did yesterday. Which means they spent last night in Mt. Vernon.

Yea, I missed out on that! I got an email from them this evening.

We stayed at Mount Vernon last night, in Jackson, Mississippi tonight, 1200 miles to go.

Another update with fill ups in MS and GA. They say they only have one more fill up which will be at their final destination in WV in two days. It looks like they are going to come in at just under 59 mpg.


World Record - Contiguous 48-States Fuel Economy Challenge

Tank|Tank Segment Distance (Miles)|Total 48-State (Miles)|Tank Segment Gallons(US)|Total 48-State(Gallons)|Tank Segment MPG(US)|Total 48-State MPG(US)|Notes
Initial Fill|0.0|0.0|NA|NA|NA|NA|Fill in Chantilly, VA
Tank #1|681.1|681.1|11.515|11.515|59.15|59.15|Fill in Concord, NH
Tank #2|815.3|1,496.4|14.091|25.606|57.86|58.44|Fill in Toledo, OH
Tank #3|732.9|2,229.3|12.058|37.988|59.19|58.68|Fill in Clear Lake, IA
Tank #4|523.7|2,753.0|8.909|46.897|58.78|58.70|Fill in Mitchell, SD
Tank #5|725.0|3,478.0|12.148|59.045|56.68|58.27|Fill in Hardin, MT
Tank #6|735.0|4,213.0|12.979|72.024|56.63|57.98|Fill Kennewick, WA
Tank #7|813.0|5,026.0|13.682|85.707|59.42|58.21|Fill Sacramento, CA
Tank #8|746.0|5,751.0|13.024|99.373|57.28|57.87|Fill Kingman, AZ
Tank #9|834.0|6,585.0|14.071|113.445|59.27|58.05|Fill Santa Rosa, NM
Tank #10|781.0|7,366.0|12.845|126.290|60.80|58.33|Fill Lenexa, KS
Tank #11|771.0|8,137.0|12.995|139.285|59.33|58.42|Fill Winona, MS
Tank #10|862.0|8,999.0|14.336|153.621|60.13|58.58|Fill Thomson, GA
|||||||
Totals||8,999||153.621||58.58|

Miles and gallons aren't totaling properly in the spreadsheet? I'd try to fix it but I don't know how.

Miles and gallons aren't totaling properly in the spreadsheet? I'd try to fix it but I don't know how.

Tnx Lightfoot. I fixed them - they are really just copies of the last line in the core of the table so if someone just wants to see the final totals easily they can do that.

The Taylors finished up yeasterday in Beaver WV. They must be tired, the blog entry is rather bland for someone who just set a record. So here is the updated table

Tank|Tank Segment Distance (Miles)|Total 48-State (Miles)|Tank Segment Gallons(US)|Total 48-State(Gallons)|Tank Segment MPG(US)|Total 48-State MPG(US)|Notes
Initial Fill|0.0|0.0|NA|NA|NA|NA|Fill in Chantilly, VA
Tank #1|681.1|681.1|11.515|11.515|59.15|59.15|Fill in Concord, NH
Tank #2|815.3|1,496.4|14.091|25.606|57.86|58.44|Fill in Toledo, OH
Tank #3|732.9|2,229.3|12.058|37.988|59.19|58.68|Fill in Clear Lake, IA
Tank #4|523.7|2,753.0|8.909|46.897|58.78|58.70|Fill in Mitchell, SD
Tank #5|725.0|3,478.0|12.148|59.045|56.68|58.27|Fill in Hardin, MT
Tank #6|735.0|4,213.0|12.979|72.024|56.63|57.98|Fill Kennewick, WA
Tank #7|813.0|5,026.0|13.682|85.707|59.42|58.21|Fill Sacramento, CA
Tank #8|746.0|5,751.0|13.024|99.373|57.28|57.87|Fill Kingman, AZ
Tank #9|834.0|6,585.0|14.071|113.445|59.27|58.05|Fill Santa Rosa, NM
Tank #10|781.0|7,366.0|12.845|126.290|60.80|58.33|Fill Lenexa, KS
Tank #11|771.0|8,137.0|12.995|139.285|59.33|58.42|Fill Winona, MS
Tank #12|862.0|8,999.0|14.336|153.621|60.13|58.58|Fill Thomson, GA
Tank #13|420.0|9,419.0|6.512|160.133|64.50|58.82|Fill Thomson, GA
|||||||
Totals||9419||160.133||58.82|

They used more gas in a couple weeks, than i'll use in almost 2 years.

Hi Fixedintime:

___At least the FE we will beat in Nov. is up there.

___Short fill on the last segment maybe ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I'd say it's kind of nice of them to establish the record format without setting the bar unreasonably high.;) Go get 'em Wayne.

I'm impressed because I would be lucky to get 1/2 their MPG in either of my cars on the same trip. :p

Now that the Taylors have finished, and another shoe will drop in November, it would seem good form for CleanMPG to send them a congratulatory note or something.

Is their home base near enough to the November course that they may be invited to ride along for a stretch? Somebody might learn something useful :)

Apparently I'm way behind the curve on the Guiness record thing. Now they have one, and logisitics prevent "us" from officially taking a run at it - is that correct?

DAS

Now that the Taylors have finished, and another shoe will drop in November, it would seem good form for CleanMPG to send them a congratulatory note or something.
Now THAT is a good idea. It's a classy touch, instead of being angry and/or petty.

Now that the Taylors have finished, and another shoe will drop in November, it would seem good form for CleanMPG to send them a congratulatory note or something.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/020408-belichick-red-hoodie.jpg

Yep - good idea.

This season I'll shake hands with the opposing coach at game end - even if they beat the living **** outta us.

Hi Doug:

___We have our Guinness World Record application in so it will be in the books…

___WRT sending them something, sounds like a good idea.

___Andrew, petty and angry means saying something nasty ourselves and we haven’t done that since John for all intents and purposes called each and everyone of us “stupid” just three short weeks ago. We will see what they say at a future press conference or their web site soon enough.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

On the topic of answering trash talk and setting performance records straight: Are there plans for other exploits after the 48 state record tour? I've heard that Australia is a nice place to visit during the N. American winter.

ILAveo,

Yes, but can't divulge - to tell you I'd have to kill you. ;)

Has guiness accepted the application yet?

Hi Aether Glider:

___It is in their hands but we will not hear back for about a month??

___Good Luck

___Wayne