2008 Jeep Patriot and Compass - Married Couple Averages 67mpg Car Review and Specs | 2008 Jeep Patriot and Compass - Married Couple Averages 67mpg Car Wallpaper Pictures Pics

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Fuel economy experts John and Helen Taylor drove a Jeep Compass and a Jeep Patriot, both standard production vehicles equipped with 2.0-litre turbo diesel engines and carrying two people and their luggage, from London to Berlin on less than a single tank of fuel each – an unmatched achievement among SUVs.

The husband and wife team of John and Helen Taylor first drove the Jeep Compass and Patriot 658 miles between the two European capitals. Upon arrival in Berlin, there was sufficient fuel remaining in both vehicles for them to continue the journey, crossing the border into Poland. In total, they travelled a total distance of 698.4 miles on their way to achieving their record.

"This new achievement helps to establish Jeep Compass and Patriot as industry leaders and proves that it is possible to offer global customers fuel efficiency and capability in the same package," Jim Press, Vice Chairman and President, Chrysler LLC said. "Jeep offers a full range of vehicles powered by efficient diesel engines and we are committed to furthering our efforts to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. In fact, at the new Chrysler, we are redesigning our business model with a greater emphasis on fuel-efficient products with features that the customers want and need."

During the 21-hour drive, passing through six countries, Helen Taylor achieved a fuel consumption figure of 66.76 mpg driving the Jeep Compass. John Taylor performed even better, achieving a fuel consumption figure of 67.46 mpg in a Jeep Patriot.

The Taylors were observed during their marathon drive by an independent scrutineer, PC Stephen Driver, of the West Midlands Police. PC Driver, who travelled as the passenger in the Patriot, ensured that the fuel tanks of both vehicles were sealed at the start of the journey and verified the odometer readings and all fuelling procedures at the start and conclusion of the challenge.

“We already knew that the Compass and Patriot were among the most economical of all SUVs, but we were amazed by the fuel efficiency that these two vehicles were capable of during this drive,” commented John Taylor.

“We drove on normal roads at realistic speeds with two people and their luggage on board and the traffic and weather conditions weren’t favourable at all – cold with many traffic jams,” he said. “We used simple fuel economy driving techniques that any driver could replicate.”

His wife Helen added, “This record achievement challenges the myth that all SUVs are gas guzzlers. We’ve proven, in everyday driving conditions just how fuel efficient these two Jeep SUVs can be.”

The Jeep Compass and Patriot have already been praised by the media for their fuel efficiency. 4x4 & MPV Driver Magazine in the UK ranked Jeep ahead of all other manufacturers of 4x4s and SUVs by presenting the brand with a Gold Award in its 2007 Green Awards scheme.

The publication praised the Jeep Compass and Patriot for being “the most economical 4x4s ever to wear the Jeep badge” and for being the least polluting with their CO2 emissions.

Economy Tips for Fuel Efficient Driving

John and Helen Taylor promote a range of fuel economy driving techniques but by far the most important factor in the reduction of fuel consumption is the driver. The rule is simple: slow down and take it easy.

The Taylors offer the following tips and guidance on how motorists can obtain the best possible fuel efficiency from their vehicle:

Drive Smoothly. Aggressive driving can use as much as a third more fuel compared to conservative driving. Avoid accelerating or braking too hard, and try to keep the steering action as smooth as possible.

Use Higher Gears. The higher the gear, the lower the engine speed. This can improve fuel efficiency, so use the highest gear appropriate, without causing the engine to labour at an ultra-low rpm. Automatic transmission vehicles will upshift through the gears more quickly and smoothly if the driver eases back slightly on the accelerator when the car has gathered sufficient momentum.

Tune and Service the Engine. A well tuned engine can improve fuel economy by up to four percent. Change the oil and always follow the car manufacturer’s recommendation on servicing.

Keep the Tyres at the Correct Pressure. Correctly inflated tyres are safer and last longer, and they also reduce the amount of energy required to keep the vehicle rolling. A tyre that is under inflated by just 69 millibar (one psi) can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as three percent.

Avoid Carrying Excess Weight. For every extra 45 kilograms carried in a vehicle, the fuel efficiency can drop by two percent, so keep the trunk and rear seat clear of any unnecessary items that just add weight to the vehicle.

Take the Roof Rack Off. If the roof rack or roof bars are not being used, then remove them. They adversely affect the aerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle and create drag, reducing fuel economy by as much as five percent.

Use the Correct Engine Oil. Always use the recommended grade of motor oil. Using the manufacturer’s recommended lubricant can improve fuel efficiency by one or two percent. Higher quality motor oils can also help your engine operate more efficiently.

Avoid Excess Idling. Idling gets a vehicle nowhere but still burns fuel. Turn the engine off when you’re in a queue, or waiting for someone, until you need to drive.

Avoid High Speeds. The faster you travel, the more wind resistance you’ll encounter and the more fuel your vehicle will consume just to maintain speed. Driving just five mph over the speed limit can affect fuel economy by up to 23 per cent.

Maintain the Distance. Leaving a sensible distance between your car and the vehicle in front gives the driver ample time to anticipate obstacles and to brake evenly.

Use Air Conditioning Sparingly. Air Conditioning puts added strain on the engine and uses additional fuel when operating, so limit its use to particularly hot days. On temperate days, use the fan instead of air conditioning.

Check the Air Filter. The air filter keeps impurities from damaging your engine. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve fuel economy by as much as 10 per cent while helping to protect your engine.

Avoid Rush Hour or Traffic Jam Hotspots. If you can travel outside of peak times and avoid known areas of heavy traffic, you’ll spend less time stuck in queues and slow-moving traffic, thus consuming less fuel.

Conserve Momentum. Think ahead when driving. For example, slow down early to let red traffic lights change to green, rather than stopping completely. Also, speed up a little before reaching the start of a hill and then allow the vehicle’s momentum to carry the vehicle up the hill without working the engine harder.

Keep Calm. When drivers are not calm, they are more likely to make judgement errors. Fuel efficiency is all about smoothness. Judgement and keeping calm is absolutely crucial to achieving fuel economy.

Use Handbrakes on Slopes. Some motorists do not use the handbrake when stopping their vehicle on a slope. Instead, they either partially disengage the clutch (on manual transmission vehicles), or use the accelerator (on automatic vehicles), to keep the vehicles from rolling back. Both actions use fuel unnecessarily.

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2008 Jeep Patriot and Compass - Married Couple Averages 67mpg Review

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