Speed vs. Semi

[RandomFact314]

Originally Posted by wagonman76

I think you would have more gains.............Oh by the way, I will be 33 on July 25. Happy early bday!

Happy early birthday to you too We both got 5 more days

[RandomFact314]

Originally Posted by FastPlastic

Ok, so I'm going to be the rebel................In my case I would imagine the reason for it being so much better is the extremely poor aero on the Jeep Cherokee. I believe cd is 0.51, so having the trailers push the air around the big hog helps more then a small aero dynamic car would.

Oh wow, I never even thought about the fact that worst cds would get more of an advantage but I see that obviously makes tons of since.... You taught me something today (or at least made me realized the should-be-obvious)

[PaleMelanesian]

I tested this once. 70 mph at a 2-second following distance was about the same as 65 driving solo. 60 was even better, and 55 and 50 even better still.

Drive solo. Don't draft. Besides the safety aspect, it doesn't gain you THAT much.

[RandomFact314]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

I tested this once. 70 mph at a 2-second following distance was about the same as 65 driving solo. 60 was even better, and 55 and 50 even better still.

Drive solo. Don't draft. Besides the safety aspect, it doesn't gain you THAT much.

Yeah I see that it probably will not do me much good so ill just stick with going 55 day and 50 night

[ESmooth]

Im going to be the voice of opposition based on my experiences. My best ever trip MPG (54MPG) was drafting a truck and that was with the A/C on the whole way. The truck was doing under 60MPH the whole time and I was doing pulse and glide between about 55 and 60. I draft whenever possible and it always seems to make a difference in the positive and a fairly significant one at that.

[PaleMelanesian]

I've done 55 mpg with P&G behind a truck at about 60 mph, but my best highway trip was 71 mpg P&G with no truck. Trying to keep up with a truck really handicaps you and keeps you from making the most of the P&G rhythm.

[RandomFact314]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

I've done 55 mpg with P&G behind a truck at about 60 mph, but my best highway trip was 71 mpg P&G with no truck. Trying to keep up with a truck really handicaps you and keeps you from making the most of the P&G rhythm.

OK I have an important question for everyone, will P&G give me better MPG if I'm in an auto that cant be flat towed, so I would basically be going up to say_ 60 mph, then putting it in neutral, going down to 50, putting it in drive, (repeat) since I would not be turning off the engine and all that mess? I have been wondering for a long time...

[ESmooth]

As long as the engine is running you should be OK to go in and out of gear since the pump that lubes the tranny will still be running. The issue tends to be when EOC is attempted in an auto.

[PaleMelanesian]

It's possible, but much harder, with an auto. I find the best results with an auto come from keeping steady speed, losing a bit on the uphills and gaining on the downhills, and some strategic engine-on coasting. Find a good speed that gives you just enough power to stay in top gear without downshifting, and don't go much faster than that.

[RandomFact314]

Originally Posted by ESmooth

As long as the engine is running you should be OK to go in and out of gear since the pump that lubes the tranny will still be running. The issue tends to be when EOC is attempted in an auto.

No the question is will it help my MPG still?