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Didn't want to post this as a new thread, it seems wasteful- but wanted to post this as I was just watching the myth busters and they calculated it in a wind tunnel- not meaning it is perfect, but it is definite that drafting works. To my knowledge this hasn't been posted (or I missed it, or it was before my time here and I haven't found it yet).
Some data:
21% drag reduction when 7 car lengths behind a semi truck at 54 mph, in the model wind tunnel.
10 feet away, 60% reduction.
6 feet away, 80% reduction.
2 feet away, 93% reduction.
The following was done on a controlled road, it was same direction. No mention of wind, engine temps, so on. NOT ABA, just the control, then each other calculation. Vehicle in question is a Dodge Magnum, 2.7, I believe.
Driving @ 55 mph gave 32 mpg
100 feet away 35.5
50 feet away 38.5
20 feet away 40.5
10 feet away 44.5
2 feet away 41 (I believe), but not accurate by driver error.
I think it's a bit ridiculous they don't think it's safe to be closer than 150 feet behind a car at 55 mph. I understand dim people might try driving two feet away and make poor decisions, but for being in California, they don't seem to be familiar with traffic.
If anyone uses Netflix, one can watch this on Collection 4, Episode 3.
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