I'm usually driving a Camry. How far back should I be following, with safety being of utmost importance?
2006-06-28 10:12:12 · 6 answers · asked by jimmy 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
I have a close friend that tried this tactic on a cross-country trip. He quoted a 2mpg difference. However, he said that he followed extremely closely behind the trucks. I would say the small advatage isn't worth the safety risk of driving so close to such large vehicles.
2006-06-28 10:20:43 · answer #1 · answered by Kurt W 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Drafting is a technique used in auto racing for exactly that purpose.
I once drove from Bakersfield, CA to Austin,TX behind an 18 wheeler. I do not know how much fuel I saved, but the big reg blocked a lot of the elements (wind, rain, etc.), and I could feel the car speed up when I started drafting while my foot was on the peddle with the same force as moments before.
Dave Hooper
Fresno, CA
2006-06-28 17:33:27 · answer #2 · answered by Hoops 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes your fuel economy will improve. When you draft you cut down on wind resistance, hence less Resistance on the vehicle so less stress on the engine. On the other side of the coin though, if the truck should happen to brake suddenly you may not be able to stop in time. For what you might save in fuel its not worth it.... The company I work for says one second for every 5mph so pick a spot along the road, when the vehicle in front passes that spot start counting until you reach the same spot.
2006-06-28 17:23:16 · answer #3 · answered by KIRT S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course it will, wind and weight are the biggest things that fuel fights. Gasoline engines only transfer about 10% of the power to the wheels.
In my Insight, I could increase mileage 2-5 mpgs right there on the gauge.
In my Toyota Tacoma, I was able to get 2 mpgs on a long stretch by simply putting the tailgate down.
2006-06-28 17:32:12 · answer #4 · answered by johnmba 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont know if yo uknow what a blow out is but it is when a tire explodes and on semi trailers that happins alot so it isnt a real good idea to follow a semi real close and you have to be pretty close to to make the draft work
2006-07-01 00:01:35 · answer #5 · answered by rjm_333 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One car length per 10 miles/hour is the standard I've heard.
2006-06-28 17:16:37 · answer #6 · answered by Larry 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋