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Canada to Mexico on one tank of fuel

San Diego Union Tribune -- A Washington State man who built his own fuel-efficient car 25 years ago repeated his feat of driving border-to-border on a single tank of diesel this week.

"I smashed my old record," Craig Henderson said shortly after arriving at an Otay Mesa parking lot just across the Mexican border Wednesday.

He said the aerodynamic car, which he calls Avion, averaged 119 mpg on its journey from Canada to San Diego. His old record was 103.

The key was an aerodynamic, lightweight design and tires with low rolling resistance from Goodyear, which sponsored the trip.

The car weighs 1,500 pounds and has an 18-gallon fuel tank. To achieve the high mileage, Henderson drove 55 to 60 mph.

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Submitted Sep 05, 2010 By: BurntOrange

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lgppa Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:11,523 Points:495,160 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Oct 15, 2010 1:25:09 PM Ignore lgppa Report Abuse Wow, and it's not and EV or hybrid, wonder what he has for and engine in it and what did to get it to get over 100 mpg?
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:4,960 Points:1,172,120 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Sep 11, 2010 8:54:23 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse COOL!
ifallsguy Champion Author Minnesota Posts:4,420 Points:1,212,705 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 10:10:15 PM Ignore ifallsguy Report Abuse isn't that all downhill?
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:4,696 Points:1,654,720 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 9:27:15 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse "To achieve the high mileage, Henderson drove 55 to 60 mph" Wow! But, there HAD to be other things he had to do... like avoid congestion, etc...
DellDude2 Champion Author Nashville Posts:6,773 Points:1,654,785 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 1:14:59 AM Ignore DellDude2 Report Abuse There ought to be a job waiting for this guy at the Big 3.
computernut2008 Champion Author Ohio Posts:4,250 Points:899,270 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 12:50:31 AM Ignore computernut2008 Report Abuse If it weren't diesel I would settle for half that.
1fulltank Champion Author Buffalo Posts:5,577 Points:1,086,245 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 12:50:09 AM Ignore 1fulltank Report Abuse Who said it couldn't be done?
CiVX Champion Author Oakland Posts:5,707 Points:1,012,725 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 12:46:26 AM Ignore CiVX Report Abuse Incredible!
georgeo Champion Author California Posts:4,172 Points:178,915 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 12:45:38 AM Ignore georgeo Report Abuse The article failed to mention what type of diesel he was using. Volkswagen uses a turbo diesel to achieve very good mpg on the order of 70 mpg.
ItisAJeepThing Champion Author Tucson Posts:15,380 Points:1,683,605 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 12:41:01 AM Ignore ItisAJeepThing Report Abuse It would be nice if GM, Ford and Chrysler could make practical vehicles that get 60 mpg, half his record.
TWS658 Champion Author Portland Posts:3,051 Points:655,400 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 12:36:56 AM Ignore TWS658 Report Abuse Smart man with a very good looking automobile.
gass12 Champion Author Omaha Posts:6,170 Points:1,850,265 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 12:36:19 AM Ignore gass12 Report Abuse If this is so great why isn!t it on the market.
HawaiianGuy Champion Author Idaho Posts:7,171 Points:2,617,065 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 12:26:11 AM Ignore HawaiianGuy Report Abuse Not to worry. I'm sure the EPA will rain on the parade by proclaiming that the engine doesn't meet pollution standards. Still, it's a remarkable feat.
vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:21,163 Points:2,638,520 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 12:26:01 AM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse better than motorcycles even...
cheapmonkee Champion Author Portland Posts:26,653 Points:2,703,435 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 12:22:03 AM Ignore cheapmonkee Report Abuse Better than a Smart car.
findcheap Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:7,231 Points:1,541,920 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 12:17:36 AM Ignore findcheap Report Abuse great
DrivingFool2 Champion Author Appleton Posts:6,172 Points:1,144,115 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 12:12:35 AM Ignore DrivingFool2 Report Abuse Must have drafted off a couple of big rigs all the way there.
speedys Champion Author Utah Posts:4,661 Points:2,091,320 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 12:11:12 AM Ignore speedys Report Abuse I agree"JohnofGB".
BrewCrew Champion Author Dallas Posts:6,150 Points:1,308,385 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 12:04:40 AM Ignore BrewCrew Report Abuse NORTH WIND'S BLEW HIM DOWN
nurdco Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:6,579 Points:1,226,435 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 11:56:17 PM Ignore nurdco Report Abuse Safe for WHO to drive?
bobdec Champion Author Florida Posts:6,711 Points:1,323,540 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 11:37:42 PM Ignore bobdec Report Abuse That car is not one I would want to own
hybridaholic Champion Author Appleton Posts:5,981 Points:1,093,215 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 11:33:56 PM Ignore hybridaholic Report Abuse Right on JOHNOFGB
jadeusa Champion Author Dallas Posts:6,890 Points:1,369,910 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 11:29:01 PM Ignore jadeusa Report Abuse Wonder if it had a sailmast when going down wind ??? Looks light weight in picture.
hubcapLA Champion Author Louisiana Posts:2,554 Points:662,530 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 11:03:33 PM Ignore hubcapLA Report Abuse Probably also had his head shaved and wore light weight underwear---I don't want to travel like that.
Saturn93 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:6,566 Points:1,487,875 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 10:55:15 PM Ignore Saturn93 Report Abuse Ultra light weight - good thing he didn't have an encounter with a semi, or even a motor cycle. Great demonstration, but not what I want to be driving my family around in daily.
cheapertvs Champion Author Richmond Posts:7,840 Points:2,273,745 Joined:Jan 2004	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 10:52:50 PM Ignore cheapertvs Report Abuse This car must not be practical.
REVLAW Champion Author San Antonio Posts:8,022 Points:1,539,190 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 10:51:42 PM Ignore REVLAW Report Abuse So ... it can be done.
ex911 Champion Author San Jose Posts:6,844 Points:1,339,770 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 10:48:45 PM Ignore ex911 Report Abuse how mind-numbingly boring must've been this trip!
EVBuddy Champion Author Nevada Posts:14,333 Points:2,567,565 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 10:47:56 PM Ignore EVBuddy Report Abuse Good for him. I get the best mileage because I don't use gas.
Amplion Champion Author Oregon Posts:4,230 Points:1,397,195 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 10:44:52 PM Ignore Amplion Report Abuse An old Chrysler Fifth Ave. 318 V-8 gets 32MPG on 76 UNION REGULAR UNLEADED.
JohnofGB Champion Author Flint Posts:3,070 Points:630,245 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 10:41:00 PM Ignore JohnofGB Report Abuse Okay. Impressive, yes. Practical, no.
kcboy Champion Author Utah Posts:2,422 Points:1,190,230 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 10:40:36 PM Ignore kcboy Report Abuse Fantastic news.
jackson661 Champion Author Columbus Posts:2,781 Points:1,046,175 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 10:38:51 PM Ignore jackson661 Report Abuse Unbelievable 119 mpg....
w4kh Champion Author Riverside Posts:9,306 Points:1,761,100 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 10:36:14 PM Ignore w4kh Report Abuse By just driving conservatively, nothing radical or unsafe, just going easy on the throttle and planning ahead for stops, I am getting about 6 miles per gallon more than EPA says I should, and EPA estimates used to be way higher than actual mileage...
ftsgt Champion Author Illinois Posts:10,720 Points:2,060,760 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 10:35:50 PM Ignore ftsgt Report Abuse thats a long way
dabuzman Champion Author Seattle Posts:4,399 Points:1,427,200 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 10:30:01 PM Ignore dabuzman Report Abuse We can do this for I have a Pontiac 6000 that could get 34 to 38 MPG most of the time in the mid 1990's so what is wrong. Big oil play with the auto industries along with state and Federal Government. They just don;t want to see mileage that high for they loss money big time.
nstrdnvstr Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:33,453 Points:3,522,205 Joined:May 2001	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 10:29:25 PM Ignore nstrdnvstr Report Abuse Does this car meet all safety requirements? How long does it take to get to 60 mph?
uptherefiners Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,313 Points:682,045 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 10:26:01 PM Ignore uptherefiners Report Abuse yawn roll over gas leak snore [Edited by: uptherefiners at 9/6/2010 1:26:19 AM EST]
Bruno44 Champion Author Texas Posts:4,851 Points:1,323,975 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 10:24:56 PM Ignore Bruno44 Report Abuse OK.
mvosevich Champion Author St. Louis Posts:5,453 Points:1,108,165 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 10:18:49 PM Ignore mvosevich Report Abuse Go old ingenuity.
roadrunnerMO Champion Author Kansas Posts:5,986 Points:1,232,185 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 10:16:18 PM Ignore roadrunnerMO Report Abuse Just goes to show what can be done.
CumminsFanOH Champion Author Columbus Posts:1,670 Points:827,990 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 10:15:14 PM Ignore CumminsFanOH Report Abuse Get the feds off our backs with their crash safety bumpers - and we could see this produced! Beat THAT electrics!
250FORD Champion Author Minnesota Posts:8,265 Points:1,303,335 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 10:14:43 PM Ignore 250FORD Report Abuse There really is no reason the auto makers can't come up with a vehicle of say SUV size that gets 40+ mpg. Note, not these shoe box SUV's either, a real one.
orestroker Champion Author Portland Posts:1,080 Points:880,145 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 10:13:05 PM Ignore orestroker Report Abuse It's amazing the mileage even a guzzler will get if you maintain 60 mph.
DJRIO Champion Author Miami Posts:5,474 Points:959,285 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 10:05:14 PM Ignore DJRIO Report Abuse now if the auto industry can build mpg car like this . it would great
Z51Corvette Champion Author Austin Posts:6,156 Points:1,224,540 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 9:59:00 PM Ignore Z51Corvette Report Abuse Simply AWESOME! Wish we could build "lighter" cars... and change the traffic light situations and excessive "stop" sign use within the cities as well.
MiniFan Champion Author California Posts:2,223 Points:749,050 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 9:57:46 PM Ignore MiniFan Report Abuse just amazing!
Redink Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:5,033 Points:884,255 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 9:55:37 PM Ignore Redink Report Abuse How realistic is this?
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:7,139 Points:1,145,250 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 9:54:10 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse “Whats (sic) standing in the way of making a commercial version of one?” Well, for one, the big oil companies would lose a lot of sales. Can’t let that happen. There’s intense lobbying against raising the CAFÉ standard to one-third of that mileage.
runout9 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,139 Points:957,625 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 9:51:54 PM Ignore runout9 Report Abuse Cool! My 2009 Camry gets just under 33mpg on road trips & I'm elated.