Gear6

To show consumers just how effective the FuelStretch principles can be at stretching every fill-up, a husband and wife driving team are putting the vehicle maintenance and driving tips to the test as they travel around the world to set a Guinness World Record for Fuel Efficiency. John and Helen Taylor have traveled through 14 European countries, five Asian countries and Australia thus far and have successfully logged approximately 12,300 miles on only 15 tanks of gasoline. As the Taylors end their Australian leg, they are averaging approximately 56 miles per gallon.

"Shell wants to help drivers make the most out of every purchase, which is why we recommend they incorporate FuelStretch driving techniques into their daily routine," says Dan Little, Shell U.S. Fuels Marketing Manager. "We hope the Taylor's upcoming visit to the U.S. demonstrates that whether you're attempting to set a Guinness World Record or just running errands around town, incorporating Shell FuelStretch principles is a simple way to be more fuel efficient."

Shell FuelStretch: Tips and Tools for Every Driver

1. Drive smoothly, avoiding 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 higher
highway speeds.

2. Replace dirty or clogged air filters. Replacing a dirty or clogged
air filter with a clean one can improve gasoline mileage by as much
as 10 percent. Your car's air filter can protect your engine from
impurities.

3. Keep your engine well tuned and repair any problems immediately. If
your car has failed an emissions test or is noticeably out of tune,
repairing the problem could improve your gasoline mileage by
4 percent on average.

4. Make sure your tires are at the correct pressure and 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 about 3.3 percent.

5. Minimize vehicle drag. Keep your trunk and back seat clear of
unnecessary items that only add weight. Removing excess weight can
improve your gasoline mileage.

6. Always use the recommended grade of oil in your engine. Following
your manufacturer's motor oil recommendation can improve gasoline
mileage 1-2 percent. Look for motor oil that says "Energy
Conserving" on the API performance symbol, to ensure it contains
friction-reducing additives.

7. Use cruise control on major roads and in free-flowing traffic.
Maintaining a constant speed can improve gasoline mileage.
8. Avoid idling. When you idle, you get 0 miles per gallon.

9. Avoid higher speeds. Gasoline mileage usually decreases when driving
at speeds over 60 mph.

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.