Driving team takes on Guinness efficiency record

John and Helen Taylor are pushing the envelope these days. And it doesn’t involve pressing the petal to the metal for a new speed record, but rather pushing every drop of fuel to squeeze out the most mileage.

The couple is driving a Volkswagen Jetta TDI across the 48 contiguous states with the hopes of breaking the current Guinness World Record for the lowest fuel consumption on a nationwide drive, which is 51.58 miles per gallon.

The team, which is sponsored by Volkswagen, is now 14 percent ahead of the record with an average of 58.24 miles per gallon.

So what are these clever techniques the couple are advocating?

"Accelerating properly…but much of what we’re doing is simply behavioral stuff," John Taylor told the Cleantech Group. "You need to relax and know your car and try to drive in a straight line."

Using these simple techniques a driver can boost their fuel efficiency by 10 percent. Multiplying that over millions of cars and the fuel savings are considerable, Taylor said.

When it comes to heat, the team just rolls the window down a crack. Forget about using the air conditioner—fuel efficiency takes a hit of anywhere from 5 percent to 30 percent, Taylor said.

As for the big challenges that zap fuel efficiency, Taylor said headwinds are a big problem. He estimated that three-quarters of the couple's battle has been against headwind, but they are hoping the wind will work in their favor in coming days.

"With a little luck it will blow from the west to the east," Taylor said.

The couple crossed over Nevada yesterday and are now resting in Santa Monica, Calif., before they head off for the big mountains of Colorado this Thursday.