If so, does this reduce the trucks gas mileage?
2007-08-18 16:44:16 · 13 answers · asked by Zefram 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Commuting
The only thing it will do is end your life earlier when the truck stops and you can't.Don't be so stupid.
2007-08-18 16:52:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Following another vehicle closely will increase gas mileage for the trailing vehicle but won't have any effect on the lead vehicle. They tested it on Mythbusters and showed that it does actually have a significant impact (as a ratio).
In reality though, it's not worth it. If you are following a truck for 2 miles closely and and saving even 50% on your gas mileage, you will save about 10 cents. Even in the unlikely event you follow the same truck closely for 25 miles and save as high as 50% gas mileage (also unlikely) you are looking at saving a buck and a half.
The only way it could ever be worth it would be if you plan it out ahead and follow the same large vehicle for hundreds of miles. That's not going to happen very often.
2007-08-18 16:57:49 · answer #2 · answered by Ken K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it works, but dont do it.
The passage of the truck creates a vacuum behind it, youre filling this space and thus being pulled along by the truck.
The problem is that 1. the driver of the truck cannot see you, 2. he still knows youre there and endangering both of you and others 3. he knows youre stealing his gas that probably comes out of his pocket so he's losing money on the job and is pissed, 4. he can stop and kill you quite easily-that bar underneath the truck encourges you to stay away, it will not stop your car if he stops quick and you cant-your car will go right under his truck pulling off the top portion of your body when it pulls off the top portion of your car.
So yeah, it works-but it should not be done due to the dangers involved.
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It is illegal in every state as it can be considering careless or wreckless driving. Wreckless driving can also be put in as attempted involuntary manslaughter in most areas if youre being really stupid,
2007-08-19 06:43:58 · answer #3 · answered by Showtunes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it will, but only if you are extremely close, like less than 3 feet. Watch the nascar drivers draft each other - that's why they do it. The trailing car is in a low pressure zone in the wake of the lead car.
There's three problems with this, though. First, if the lead vehicle slows down just a bit, you have about one tenth of a second before you hit him. You won't even have time to think "Oh oh" before you're a statistic.
Second, when the truck driver realizes you're trying to draft him, he's going to deliberately slow down until you give up and pass him.
Third, if you somehow don't get noticed, and don't collide, you'll drastically reduce the air flow through your radiator and over your engine, causing it to heat up quite a bit. Do it too long, and you'll overheat your engine. You'll notice that the nascar drivers don't draft for very long for just this reason.
2007-08-18 17:02:33 · answer #4 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
NO, you can't do that safely, because you still have keep control of the car. But you can get better milage by giong the same speed as the trucks. Trucks, if you're reffering to the rigs, have to go 55 mpg in some areas, including several areas of California.
I recognize that picture you're using. I think, it was someone in a Star Trek episode. If you're a fan, join a fan club. Also Star Fleet, International.
2007-08-18 16:54:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is called drafting. It does work but it isn't very safe. If the truck were to stop suddenly you wouldn't have time to react. It doesn't cut down on the trucks gas mileage.
2007-08-18 16:54:29 · answer #6 · answered by invictus 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
no it doesnt effect the mpg of the truck since the truck is cutting the wind shear at the front of the vehicle instead of the rear and following a truck closely does save you fuel but it is not the safest practice to do because to get a good amount of increase you have to be close enought o the truck that if it were to stop suddenly you wouldnt have time to manuever
2007-08-18 16:51:26 · answer #7 · answered by wrenchbender19 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. It might however get you a ticket for tailgating or even a wrecked vehicle and a stay in the hospital if the truck had to brake suddenly. Don't do it, it's dangerous and stupid!!
2007-08-18 16:55:12 · answer #8 · answered by Look on the bright side. 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes and No, but you can piss off the truck driver. Actually the truck is creating a vacuum that your vehicle gets sucked into and it pulls you along, you have to actually let up on the accelerator or you will bump into him. This is illegal in most states
2007-08-18 16:53:41 · answer #9 · answered by Christian 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
not safe to do.......
you can help your gas mileage by:
keeping up routine maintenance
i add B-12 to the gas tank at least once a month
watch your tire pressure and tires wear
i change my oil every 3 to 5000 miles
i drive a 1990 - 740 volvo ( runns great)...233,000 miles....22mpg city with a/c going full blast
2007-08-18 16:56:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋