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

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?

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.

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

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, 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

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

talnlnky · 03-21-2009, 01:56 PM

unless the semi hits a wall, or flips on its side... yaris will stop faster.

For me... yeah.. safety is a big issue.. but so are rock chips... I HAVE TOO MANY rock chips from driving on highways... even with a 2-3second gap.

I wish I had those 3M decals put on my front bumper & hood at purchase.

detroiter · 03-21-2009, 02:28 PM

Only thing tailgating is going to get you is the guy in front of you pissed off and break-dancing to get you to back off.

That's what I do, someone's riding my ass...I'll jam on the breaks for a quick moment just to let them know back the hell up. As much as the people around here love watching it, this isn't nascar.

supmet · 03-21-2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by detroiter

That's what I do, someone's riding my ass...I'll jam on the breaks for a quick moment just to let them know back the hell up.

I find downshifting and the ebrake a much better combo - no brake lights

blacksandiegovitz · 03-21-2009, 02:35 PM

Wow is it really worth it to you to save a couple bucks on gas to be stuck behind or "drafing" a semi doing 55 mph all the way down the freeway ????? I drive my yaris balls-out everyday , meaning banging out gears to 6k and driving about 85+mph on the freeway and I still get 30+ mpg's...

On a side note , drafting does gain you hugh mpg's (as proved on the show "myth busters") but is dangerous and its very boring to follow behind a big truck doing 50 .

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: 3,530	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, 10:57 AM	#4
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	#7
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, 02:31 PM	#10
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.

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, 11:54 AM	#5
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	#9
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.

03-21-2009, 01:56 PM	#12
talnlnky Audio Junky Drives: 08 liftback Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Spokane, Wa Posts: 1,412	unless the semi hits a wall, or flips on its side... yaris will stop faster. For me... yeah.. safety is a big issue.. but so are rock chips... I HAVE TOO MANY rock chips from driving on highways... even with a 2-3second gap. I wish I had those 3M decals put on my front bumper & hood at purchase. __________________ Last edited by talnlnky; 03-21-2009 at 02:07 PM.

03-21-2009, 02:28 PM	#13
detroiter Drives: 2008 Polar White LB Auto Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 1,238	Only thing tailgating is going to get you is the guy in front of you pissed off and break-dancing to get you to back off. That's what I do, someone's riding my ass...I'll jam on the breaks for a quick moment just to let them know back the hell up. As much as the people around here love watching it, this isn't nascar.

03-21-2009, 02:35 PM	#15
blacksandiegovitz Your mom goes to college View User's Garage Drives: 08 Vitz Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Just chillin' out brah ! Posts: 1,434	Wow is it really worth it to you to save a couple bucks on gas to be stuck behind or "drafing" a semi doing 55 mph all the way down the freeway ????? I drive my yaris balls-out everyday , meaning banging out gears to 6k and driving about 85+mph on the freeway and I still get 30+ mpg's... On a side note , drafting does gain you hugh mpg's (as proved on the show "myth busters") but is dangerous and its very boring to follow behind a big truck doing 50 . __________________ Garm is permanently high because he is the king of smokin' deals!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Drafting or driving slower	SuperFunBall	Fuel Economy Forum	11	01-07-2009 10:39 PM