Mileage-maximizing techniques and the fuel-efficient 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid enabled drivers to get an astounding 1,445.7 miles from a single tank of gas.

Averaging 81.5 miles per gallon in a, non-modified 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, a team of drivers drove the vehicle around Washington.

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid 1,000 Mile Challenge team, which included NASCAR star Carl Edwards, high mileage trailblazer Wayne Gerdes and several Ford Motor Company engineers, maximized their mileage by using a few simple techniques that can be used in any vehicle to improve fuel economy.

Mileage-maximizing techniques include:

• Accelerating smoothly up to the posted speed limit
• Applying the “Pulse and Glide” technique while maintaining the flow of traffic
• Anticipating traffic signal timing and traffic patterns, and slowing down to minimize stops
• Coasting up to red lights and stop signs to avoid fuel waste and brake wear
• Minimizing the use of vehicle systems such as heated seats and air conditioning
• Keeping windows closed whenever possible to reduce drag
• Minimizing excessive engine workload by using the vehicle’s kinetic forward motion to climb hills, and use downhill momentum to build speed
• Avoiding bumps and potholes that can reduce momentum

The Fusion Hybrid 1,000 Mile Challenge called upon the team to drive several routes in and around the national capital over the course of approximately 48 continuous hours. The drivers took turns during the round-the-clock event. The route involved elevation changes, and ranged from the relatively open George Washington Parkway to a 3-mile stretch in the heart of the city that is clogged with approximately 30 traffic signals.

Carl Edwards Drives Past 1000 Miles:

Quotes
“It was very exciting to be an active part in this challenge. The fact that it will help spread the word about the Fusion Hybrid’s great mileage, and help out a great charity like JDRF, makes it even more special. There’s no question that the Fusion Hybrid will help consumers save fuel when they drive it. Having driven the car, I feel strongly about how great it is – so strong that I’ve purchased one myself.”
- Carl Edwards, Ford NASCAR racer

“The Fusion Hybrid works brilliantly. When you don’t need acceleration power while driving around town the gas engine shuts down just the way it is supposed to. There is not another hybrid drivetrain in the world that does that as effectively. The Fusion engineering team really knocked it out of the park.”
- Wayne Gerdes, CleanMPG.com founder

Ford team aim to drive 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid over 1,000 miles on a single tank of gas.

Putting the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid to the ultimate fuel-efficiency test, a team of drivers will be attempting to drive over 1000 miles on a single tank of gas, raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in the process. Currently the most fuel-efficient, mid-sized sedan in America, the Fusion Hybrid will have to best its EPA rating of 41 mpg in the city by attaining an average of at least 57 mpg.

Demonstrating its message “Ford is Different”, Ford has invested in creating vehicles with strong fuel-economy numbers and is working with all drivers to encourage more fuel-efficient driving in any vehicle. Throughout the challenge, driver Wayne Gerdes, who is the World Record Breaking Hypermiling champion and founder of cleanmpg.com, will be providing fuel-saving driving tips.

Other than a fresh change of oil before the drive commences and having the tire pressures checked, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid used in the challenge will not be altered in any way. It will run on regular 87 octane gas.

The 1,000 mile challenge starts at around 8:00 a.m. on Saturday April 25th from Mount Vernon, Virginia, and ends the morning of Monday April 27th in Washington, DC. Using The George Washington Boulevard as the main drive route, the Fusion Hybrid will be driven with driver change-over stops only throughout the day and night of Saturday April 25th as well as the day and night of Sunday April 26th.

The team comprises:

• Wayne Gerdes – World Record Breaking Hypermiling champion and founder of cleanmpg.com
• Sherif Maraky – Graduate of Maryland University, Sherif is the Chief Engineer in the Hybrid Team
• Gil Portalatin – Gil is the Hybrid Applications Manager and the man responsible for leading the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid team
• Tom Rolewiszc – Tom is one of Ford’s top calibration experts and has all the key information about how the hybrid system works
• Steve Burke – Steve is another product expert on hybrid applications.
• Carl Edwards – Carl is a NASCAR race legend. He will be joining the team on Sunday night and Monday morning and will be doing a significant part of the driving. Carl has recently bought his own 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and loves the car.