Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > Hypermiling / EcoDriver's Ed
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 12-16-2011, 10:10 AM   #11 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Briggsdale, Colorado
Posts: 296

Wildfire - '96 Ford Bronco XL
90 day: 14.88 mpg (US)

Blackford - '96 Ford Bronco XLT
90 day: 20.26 mpg (US)

Y2k - '00 Honda Insight
Gen-1 Insights
Team Honda
90 day: 73.98 mpg (US)

Redford V10 - '01 Ford F250 Lariat
90 day: 15.64 mpg (US)

FireFly - '00 Honda Insight DX
90 day: 69.43 mpg (US)

LittleRed - '00 Honda Insight
Thanks: 3
Thanked 31 Times in 14 Posts
If you are a REALLY slow driver like me, and look at 99 out of 100 cars in the fast lane that are "bunched up", you will notice that they are completely comfortable driving less than 1/4 of a second behind each other. Sometimes they are traveling 65+ mph and are less than one vehicle length away from the next driver. There might be a line of 20 drivers with this distance between them. This is why there are 70 car pile-ups.

Even my 2 to 3 lengths behind a 55 mph semi could be considered too close. At 55 mph we are looking at about 80 feet per second. Two seconds is about 160 feet. I am probably at the edge of safety on the very best of days. Something to ponder anyway.

__________________
  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 12-16-2011, 11:57 AM   #12 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Deltona, FL, U.S.
Posts: 37

tow vehicle - '97 toyota 4runner limited

none - '09 honda civic si

none - '91 honda crx dx

sleepy - '91 Honda CRX dx
Thanks: 6
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by 99metro View Post
If you are a REALLY slow driver like me, and look at 99 out of 100 cars in the fast lane that are "bunched up", you will notice that they are completely comfortable driving less than 1/4 of a second behind each other. Sometimes they are traveling 65+ mph and are less than one vehicle length away from the next driver. There might be a line of 20 drivers with this distance between them. This is why there are 70 car pile-ups.

Even my 2 to 3 lengths behind a 55 mph semi could be considered too close. At 55 mph we are looking at about 80 feet per second. Two seconds is about 160 feet. I am probably at the edge of safety on the very best of days. Something to ponder anyway.

well, believe it or not, I'm an ex cop and have handled a LOT of traffic accident investigations.
the VAST majority of them were failure to yeild right of way.
This means things like pulling out from an intersection into the path of an oncoming car, running a red light, changing lanes without looking, etc.
VAST majority.
Believe it or not, very few were from things like excessive speed or following too closely.

What you find with drivers following closely is that they have a heightened awareness...because they know the dangers...and as a result are not usually caught off guard.

Most accidents are from inattention, lazyness, etc... Not from people with heightened attention.

Also, unless some of you hypermilers have reduced the size of your brake rotors in an effort to save weight you should have no problem outbraking a loaded semi truck.

Unless you arent paying attention

Today I followed a semi from about 60 ft back at 61mph. i could feel the pull assist...although wont have hard figures until I get my scangauge...and felt VERY safe at that distance.

Also I have been accident free since my 20th b day, and I'm 41 now...so I think I have a pretty good handle on what safe driving is and what isnt.

obviously we all have a comfort zone when it comes to driving, and mine is probably a little skewed since I road raced for so many years, and am used to "close" driving at elevated speeds
__________________
1991 honda crx dx
1993 honda civic hatch
1997 toyota 4runner
2006 honda civic si
  Reply With Quote
Old 12-16-2011, 12:05 PM   #13 (permalink)
one of thOOOse people
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: the cloud(s)
Posts: 293

twitchy - '98 honda civic dx + sir + ls
90 day: 30.2 mpg (US)

Norman - '14 Ford E-350 EXT
90 day: 16.18 mpg (US)

Silver - '12 VW Golf Base
90 day: 26.1 mpg (US)

Sparta - '19 Honda CB300R
90 day: 84.07 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 81 Times in 66 Posts
When I was 18, I coasted on a bicycle, behind a fire truck at 35 mph for 3/4 mile. NO effort on level ground. This was 2 feet off his bumper. When I turned away it was like opening the parachute. Kind of like the movie "Breaking Away". I know, stupid things kids do!
  Reply With Quote
Old 12-16-2011, 12:08 PM   #14 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Deltona, FL, U.S.
Posts: 37

tow vehicle - '97 toyota 4runner limited

none - '09 honda civic si

none - '91 honda crx dx

sleepy - '91 Honda CRX dx
Thanks: 6
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by hamsterpower View Post
When I was 18, I coasted on a bicycle, behind a fire truck at 35 mph for 3/4 mile. NO effort on level ground. This was 2 feet off his bumper. When I turned away it was like opening the parachute. Kind of like the movie "Breaking Away". I know, stupid things kids do!
and you are correct.
when I was younger I would get right up behind semi's....which is getting dangerous

I recently discovered that you didnt have to be all that close at all to get a mpg benefit...which is why I started this thread.
__________________
1991 honda crx dx
1993 honda civic hatch
1997 toyota 4runner
2006 honda civic si
  Reply With Quote
Old 12-16-2011, 04:36 PM   #15 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Orange Country, CA
Posts: 102

Fiesta - '12 Ford Fiesta SE
90 day: 31.45 mpg (US)
Thanks: 36
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
I recently started drafting semis and trucks and love watching my mpg shoot up! Going 40 mph I was getting 45 mpg (I usually get 38-40 at that speed) behind a truck. And going about 58 mph I was getting 40 mpg (usually 28-32).
I don't know how close I am to the truck, but I don't get any closer to where I can't see the trucks side mirrors, so the driver can see me as well.
  Reply With Quote
Old 12-16-2011, 08:05 PM   #16 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Deltona, FL, U.S.
Posts: 37

tow vehicle - '97 toyota 4runner limited

none - '09 honda civic si

none - '91 honda crx dx

sleepy - '91 Honda CRX dx
Thanks: 6
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by capnbass91 View Post
I recently started drafting semis and trucks and love watching my mpg shoot up! Going 40 mph I was getting 45 mpg (I usually get 38-40 at that speed) behind a truck. And going about 58 mph I was getting 40 mpg (usually 28-32).
I don't know how close I am to the truck, but I don't get any closer to where I can't see the trucks side mirrors, so the driver can see me as well.
hey its a free boost in mpg!
Cant beat that!
no aero fabrication time/money necessary

I just ramble down the highway until I either approach a semi or get passed by one, then just file in behind at a safe distance...maybe 60 ft or so...and enjoy the fuel savings
__________________
1991 honda crx dx
1993 honda civic hatch
1997 toyota 4runner
2006 honda civic si
  Reply With Quote
Old 12-16-2011, 09:29 PM   #17 (permalink)
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 2,442

2004 CTD - '04 DODGE RAM 2500 SLT
Team Cummins
90 day: 19.36 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,422
Thanked 737 Times in 557 Posts
You need to be able to see the mirrors on both sides of the big truck. Any closer is too close.


okay, first off I know it is dangerous...

Ya, truck drivers are cretins, kinda like anyone who joins the military. Just thank them for their service. Out of sight, and out of mind.


.
  Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2011, 08:56 AM   #18 (permalink)
n00b.... sortof..
 
d0sitmatr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SFL
Posts: 345

silver fire - '03 Mazda Protege5
90 day: 32.52 mpg (US)
Thanks: 37
Thanked 19 Times in 18 Posts
ive always drafted larger vehicles, mostly semi's, and not at recommended distances either, as matt stated, if you cant stop faster than a fully loaded, or even an empty, tractor trailer, then there is something wrong with you or your car.
as a long time motorcycle enthusiast, its also why you >NEVER< tailgate a bike, because they have about 1/2 the stop distance of you in most situations.

I see, on avg, a solid 20-30% benefit from drafting semi's. but the vehicle also plays a role, as in I saw a much larger increase with my old ranger than I do in the mazda protege5 I now own. although I do see a pretty decent increase with the protege

and its quite easy to gauge the "pocket", if your being severely buffeted then your not in it
for cross windy days, try being in the adjacent lane on the opposite side of the truck from the direction of the wind (IE if your heading N, the wind is blowing from the E, stay in the lane to the trucks left side, put your nose about at the end of his bumper)
but make sure to allow for faster traffic, if you need to slow down and change lanes to allow people to pass, do so.
__________________
~Mike

  Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2011, 09:14 AM   #19 (permalink)
wdb
lurker's apprentice
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: the Perimeter
Posts: 942

PlainJane - '12 Toyota Tacoma Base 4WD Access Cab
90 day: 20.98 mpg (US)
Thanks: 504
Thanked 226 Times in 173 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by d0sitmatr View Post
as a long time motorcycle enthusiast, its also why you >NEVER< tailgate a bike, because they have about 1/2 the stop distance of you in most situations.
Uhhh, motorcycles in general need the same stopping distance as a car.

Motorcycle Braking - Motorcycle Safety Information and Resources

I don't tailgate them anyway, because I don't want to run over the rider when they fall down.
  Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2011, 01:59 PM   #20 (permalink)
.
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Salt Lake valley Utah
Posts: 923
Thanks: 114
Thanked 397 Times in 224 Posts
I live next to a UPS center. I leave for work the same time they do and when i can i draft them at a safe distance at 45 - 55 all on single lane roads all the way to work.

I would think a UPS, or delivery truck like Frito with a much larger rear are much better drafting choices. The pillow is much lower to the ground with less turbulence than a semi's taller rear where the pillow goes over the car. Behind a semi your really mostly driving into the less ideal turbulence in the undercarraige and wheels. It's probably safer too.

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com