Aussie Couple Maxes Out on Fuel Record

Three weeks. 9,000-plus miles. 48 states. 67.9 miles per gallon – That’s all you need to know about a world-record trek by an Australian couple who smashed the existing Guinness world record for fuel economy by nine full miles per gallon – all on Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max radials.

Helen and John Taylor had set the previous record – “48 Contiguous US States Fuel Economy Guinness World Record” – in 2008 with a mark of 58.82 miles per gallon. With the just-completed journey, the Taylors achieved a significant improvement in fuel economy, with a final miles per gallon average of 67.90.

“We looked forward to the challenge of attempting to break our own world record drive through the 48 US mainland states, and after only a few days of driving on these Goodyear tyres, we knew we could shatter the record,” said Helen Taylor. “We hope our record-breaking journey helps educate the driving public that decisions, such as choosing the right tyres, using the right fuel and adopting fuel-saving driving techniques can help anyone save money and fuel, and reduce carbon emissions.”

No strangers to world records, the Taylors have more than 80 fuel economy and driving records to their credit. The Taylors, driving a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, started their latest record attempt on July 28 in Sterling, Virginia, and completed the trip in Auburn, Virginia, just three weeks later. The couple followed a counter-clockwise route that included scheduled stops in Virginia, New Hampshire, Ohio, Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana, Nevada, California, Colorado, Oklahoma, Illinois, Louisiana and West Virginia. Some of the fuel-maximising tactics the Taylors employed on the road included actions such as avoiding idling and higher speeds, minimising vehicle drag and performing regular vehicle maintenance.

“While our own testing shows just how fuel-efficient these new tyres are, we wanted to provide a real-world example of the difference Fuel Max Technology can make,” said Mark Cherveny, Goodyear brand manager for passenger tyres. “Helen and John Taylor broke their own world record set last year, using the same car, the same fuel, and traveling the same route. We believe the difference this year is the set of Assurance Fuel Max tyres.”

As always, Guinness World Records’ rules and regulations were strictly adhered to on this challenge, including the prerequisite to adhere to all local maximum/minimum speed limits and traffic regulations. Fourteen official check-in and refueling stops across the country were included throughout the duration of the drive.