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03-20-2009, 03:07 AM | #1 |
Learn to Relax
Drives: 2007, Meteorite, LB Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Anaheim, CA
Posts: 2,070
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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.
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03-20-2009, 03:33 AM | #2 |
Until they hit their breaks suddenly and you become their rear bumper ornament.
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03-20-2009, 05:23 AM | #3 |
Joey
Drives: '14 Scion xD 5-speed Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: El Monte, Ca
Posts: 3,529
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Hit 'em hard enough and they can just tow you to the yard
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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, 07:07 AM | #4 |
Drives: Yaris Sedan (auto) Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 545
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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, 07:33 AM | #5 |
Drives: 2008 Yaris LB 5M Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 64
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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.
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03-20-2009, 08:34 AM | #6 |
Darrin
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Drafting behind a tractor-trailer WILL get you killed or hurt. DONT DO THIS!!
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03-20-2009, 10:57 AM | #7 |
Drives: 2008 Blazing Blue 3dr LB MT Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: NSB,FL
Posts: 198
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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?
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03-20-2009, 11:35 AM | #8 |
Learn to Relax
Drives: 2007, Meteorite, LB Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Anaheim, CA
Posts: 2,070
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03-20-2009, 11:35 AM | #9 | |
Start another Oil Thread!
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yaris can stop faster than a semi ;)
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03-20-2009, 11:54 AM | #10 |
Drives: 07 Yaris sedan Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Keremeos BC
Posts: 986
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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, 12:00 PM | #11 |
Drives: 09 yaris Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: on the road
Posts: 236
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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.
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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, 01:34 PM | #12 | |
Start another Oil Thread!
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yes, that's what should do when you're behind the wheel
PAY ATTENTION ALL THE TIME
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03-20-2009, 01:46 PM | #13 |
Banned
Drives: 2007 4 Door Yaris Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,357
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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 |
DWEED
Drives: 3DR 2008 Metorite Metalic Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,161
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What's the difference between drafting and tailgaiting? 2 feet?
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Making a decision without following it with an action is still a fantasy. |
03-20-2009, 03:40 PM | #15 | |
Start another Oil Thread!
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2 feet and 200mph
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03-20-2009, 03:41 PM | #16 | ||
Start another Oil Thread!
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03-21-2009, 07:45 AM | #17 |
Drives: Yaris Sedan (auto) Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 545
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03-21-2009, 07:47 AM | #18 |
Drives: Yaris Sedan (auto) Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 545
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