Drafting for economy - Toyota Yaris Forums

yaris-me · 03-20-2009, 03:07 AM

I've read about drafting behind big rigs and using the truck to reduce air drag. I bought a PLX Kiwi a few weeks ago and lately been using the MPG bar gauge. I return home late at night and the freeway is empty and at 80mph the current MPG gauge shows ~54MPG. Tonight I was behind a 70's Cadillac and decided to move up and draft. At about 40 to 60 feet behind at 80mph it was showing 60 to 70MPG. It's a short distance to get home about 6 or 7 miles and the trip gauge usually shows 34MPG. Tonight it was 36MPG. Not scientific, but certainly something to think about.

PETERPOOP · 03-20-2009, 03:33 AM

Until they hit their breaks suddenly and you become their rear bumper ornament.

SilverBack · 03-20-2009, 05:23 AM

Hit 'em hard enough and they can just tow you to the yard

voodoo22 · 03-20-2009, 07:07 AM

Drafting is inexcusable under any situation on the road.

If you want to kill yourself by engaging in high risk activities that's fine, but leave everyone else out of it.

Woody_Woodchuck · 03-20-2009, 07:33 AM

I agree close drafting or tailgating is dangerous. I have had luck ‘drafting’ trucks from a 3-one-thousand count back from them. True it is not nearly the gain from tailgating or surfing but very safe and does result in a mpg gain. I do not get a chance to do it much as the trucks are going well above the speed limit and I am well below it. Just make sure you can see the trucks rear view mirror so he can see you.

mchllp925 · 03-20-2009, 08:34 AM

Drafting behind a tractor-trailer WILL get you killed or hurt. DONT DO THIS!!

SuperFunBall · 03-20-2009, 10:57 AM

I agree with with drafting too close, but what about keep a safe distance back (three seconds or more)? Do you still gain mpg's and still are being safe?

yaris-me · 03-20-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voodoo22

Drafting is inexcusable under any situation on the road.

If you want to kill yourself by engaging in high risk activities that's fine, but leave everyone else out of it.

I was not tailgating. There was nothing unsafe, no traffic ahead or around.

Tamago · 03-20-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mchllp925

Drafting behind a tractor-trailer WILL get you killed or hurt. DONT DO THIS!!

yaris can stop faster than a semi ;)

TLyttle · 03-20-2009, 11:54 AM

True, but one MUST be paying attention ALL the time. The draft from a semi is effective at safe distances without tailgating, it just gets more turbulent the farther back you are. Around here, nearly all of the trucks are governed to just over 60mph, so it is hard to get a speeding ticket if you are following one.

One sees "drafting" during most races; a group of 4 cars can go faster than a single car can.

firebob · 03-20-2009, 12:00 PM

Grab the lane next to him about 35 feet off there back doors. Play around and you’ll find the right spot. Some times I can find if and just have to leave my big toe on the gas peddle. If you ride the center of the road about 20 foot off there back doors you can get pulled down the road and will still be able to see some of what’s in front of him.

I found the way to save big money on gas. We were in a dead lock traffic jam. I pulled out my tow bolt, some rope, and took the guy in front of me a cold soda. It took 2 min to get us tied up and I just popped the negative batter terminal, left it in neutral, and put the hand brake on a few clicks.

We got about 2 miles up the road with a slight hill in 3 hours like that then the guy got out of his truck and asked if we had something cold for him to drink. We ended up getting about 5 miles for 2 sodas, a large bottle of water, a few packs of nabs, and it took 6 hours. I don’t think his 2 ton truck even know we were back there for the ride.

Tamago · 03-20-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLyttle

True, but one MUST be paying attention ALL the time. .

yes, that's what should do when you're behind the wheel

PAY ATTENTION ALL THE TIME

supmet · 03-20-2009, 01:46 PM

If you hit the back of a semi, you're retarded. I don't care how close you started.

Personally, I don't draft trucks, because I don't want to catch a 100 pound piece of rubber with my windshield. The failing economy will only cause the number of trucking companies who use re-tread to multiply.

nemelek · 03-20-2009, 02:31 PM

What's the difference between drafting and tailgaiting? 2 feet?

Tamago · 03-20-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nemelek

What's the difference between drafting and tailgaiting? 2 feet?

2 feet and 200mph

Tamago · 03-20-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebob

Grab the lane next to him about 35 feet off there back doors. Play around and you’ll find the right spot. Some times I can find if and just have to leave my big toe on the gas peddle. If you ride the center of the road about 20 foot off there back doors you can get pulled down the road and will still be able to see some of what’s in front of him.

I found the way to save big money on gas. We were in a dead lock traffic jam. I pulled out my tow bolt, some rope, and took the guy in front of me a cold soda. It took 2 min to get us tied up and I just popped the negative batter terminal, left it in neutral, and put the hand brake on a few clicks.

We got about 2 miles up the road with a slight hill in 3 hours like that then the guy got out of his truck and asked if we had something cold for him to drink. We ended up getting about 5 miles for 2 sodas, a large bottle of water, a few packs of nabs, and it took 6 hours. I don’t think his 2 ton truck even know we were back there for the ride.

sounds like something out of Haiti lol

voodoo22 · 03-21-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yaris-me

I was not tailgating. There was nothing unsafe, no traffic ahead or around.

You said you were going 80mph 40-60 feet back. 80mph = 117 feet per second which means you were at best 1/2 second back. How is that no unsafe or tailgating?

voodoo22 · 03-21-2009, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamago

yaris can stop faster than a semi ;)

Not under all circumstances. If you want to gamble with your life that's up to you, but keep others out of it.

03-20-2009, 03:07 AM	#1
yaris-me Learn to Relax Drives: 2007, Meteorite, LB Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 2,070	Drafting for economy I've read about drafting behind big rigs and using the truck to reduce air drag. I bought a PLX Kiwi a few weeks ago and lately been using the MPG bar gauge. I return home late at night and the freeway is empty and at 80mph the current MPG gauge shows ~54MPG. Tonight I was behind a 70's Cadillac and decided to move up and draft. At about 40 to 60 feet behind at 80mph it was showing 60 to 70MPG. It's a short distance to get home about 6 or 7 miles and the trip gauge usually shows 34MPG. Tonight it was 36MPG. Not scientific, but certainly something to think about.

03-20-2009, 05:23 AM	#3
SilverBack Joey View User's Garage Drives: '14 Scion xD 5-speed Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: El Monte, Ca Posts: 3,529	Hit 'em hard enough and they can just tow you to the yard __________________ Formerly owned Met-Met. '07 Yaris LB 5-speed. A forum post should be like a skirt: Long enough to cover the subject but short enough to keep things interesting. "I don't have an anger problem. I have an idiot problem." -Hank Hill

03-20-2009, 07:33 AM	#5
Woody_Woodchuck Drives: 2008 Yaris LB 5M Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 64	I agree close drafting or tailgating is dangerous. I have had luck ‘drafting’ trucks from a 3-one-thousand count back from them. True it is not nearly the gain from tailgating or surfing but very safe and does result in a mpg gain. I do not get a chance to do it much as the trucks are going well above the speed limit and I am well below it. Just make sure you can see the trucks rear view mirror so he can see you. __________________ Lifetime log

03-20-2009, 10:57 AM	#7
SuperFunBall View User's Garage Drives: 2008 Blazing Blue 3dr LB MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NSB,FL Posts: 198	I agree with with drafting too close, but what about keep a safe distance back (three seconds or more)? Do you still gain mpg's and still are being safe? __________________ Sometimes you have to spit on your hands, raise the black flag, and start slashing throats

03-20-2009, 12:00 PM	#11
firebob Drives: 09 yaris Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: on the road Posts: 236	Grab the lane next to him about 35 feet off there back doors. Play around and you’ll find the right spot. Some times I can find if and just have to leave my big toe on the gas peddle. If you ride the center of the road about 20 foot off there back doors you can get pulled down the road and will still be able to see some of what’s in front of him. I found the way to save big money on gas. We were in a dead lock traffic jam. I pulled out my tow bolt, some rope, and took the guy in front of me a cold soda. It took 2 min to get us tied up and I just popped the negative batter terminal, left it in neutral, and put the hand brake on a few clicks. We got about 2 miles up the road with a slight hill in 3 hours like that then the guy got out of his truck and asked if we had something cold for him to drink. We ended up getting about 5 miles for 2 sodas, a large bottle of water, a few packs of nabs, and it took 6 hours. I don’t think his 2 ton truck even know we were back there for the ride. __________________ 09, 3 door lift back, auto. I live on the road with my wife. We travel as needed for our work and drive up to 4,500 miles in a bad week.

03-20-2009, 03:33 AM	#2
PETERPOOP View User's Garage Drives: 08 white liftback Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oahu Posts: 3,674	Until they hit their breaks suddenly and you become their rear bumper ornament.

03-20-2009, 07:07 AM	#4
voodoo22 Drives: Yaris Sedan (auto) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 545	Drafting is inexcusable under any situation on the road. If you want to kill yourself by engaging in high risk activities that's fine, but leave everyone else out of it.

03-20-2009, 08:34 AM	#6
mchllp925 Darrin View User's Garage Drives: 2008 yaris le h/b Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: winnipeg, MB Posts: 33	Drafting behind a tractor-trailer WILL get you killed or hurt. DONT DO THIS!!

03-20-2009, 11:54 AM	#10
TLyttle Drives: 07 Yaris sedan Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Keremeos BC Posts: 986	True, but one MUST be paying attention ALL the time. The draft from a semi is effective at safe distances without tailgating, it just gets more turbulent the farther back you are. Around here, nearly all of the trucks are governed to just over 60mph, so it is hard to get a speeding ticket if you are following one. One sees "drafting" during most races; a group of 4 cars can go faster than a single car can.

03-20-2009, 01:46 PM	#13
supmet Banned View User's Garage Drives: 2007 4 Door Yaris Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,357	If you hit the back of a semi, you're retarded. I don't care how close you started. Personally, I don't draft trucks, because I don't want to catch a 100 pound piece of rubber with my windshield. The failing economy will only cause the number of trucking companies who use re-tread to multiply.

03-20-2009, 02:31 PM	#14
nemelek DWEED Drives: 3DR 2008 Metorite Metalic Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,161	What's the difference between drafting and tailgaiting? 2 feet? __________________ Making a decision without following it with an action is still a fantasy.

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